SINGAPORE, March 18. /TASS/. The first prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, is critically ill and his condition has worsened, the prime minister's office said on Wednesday.

Lee, 91, who is widely recognized as the founding father of modern Singapore, was hospitalised with severe pneumonia on February 5.

His condition has deteriorated due to an infection, the office said.

Lee governed Singapore for three decades. Under his rule Singapore turned into the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.