SINGAPORE - Veteran opposition politician Chiam See Tong has sent his condolences to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong over the passing of his father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

In his letter, Mr Chiam, who is secretary-general of the Singapore People's Party, wrote: "No one else has shaped modern Singapore more so than Lee Kuan Yew, since he became Prime Minister in 1959. He was a man of many seasons. He will live on in history, remaining for future generations the symbol of Singapore's success."

Mr Chiam, 80, also paid tribute to the late Mr Lee as a great statesman, parliamentarian and a master of public policy.

"He was there at the time when Singapore was swarmed with numerous problems, ranging from domestic to international issues. He was there, just as Britain needed Winston Churchill during World War II - always taking a strategic and long term view of Singapore."

He added: "His absence from our 50th National Day Parade later this year will be particularly poignant to us."