PM Lee offers his condolences on Lee Khoon Choy's death

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong offered his condolences to the widow of former politician Lee Khoon Choy who died at the age of 92 on Saturday.

In his letter of condolence on Sunday, Prime Minister Lee called the late Mr Lee "steadfast and loyal till the end".

The prime minister recounted founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's description of the late Mr Lee as "a man who 'had it', a man of courage who did not melt under pressure".

The late Mr Lee started out as a journalist with Nanyang Siang Pau in the 1950s. He took part in the 1959 elections and was elected Legislative Assemblyman for Bukit Panjang. He was appointed as Government Whip and Parliamentary Secretary, first to the Ministry of Culture, and after that to the Ministry of Education.

During his political career, Mr Lee also served as Senior Minister of State and Deputy Chairman of People's Association. He was also Ambassador and High Commissioner to eight countries.

He died at the National University Hospital on Saturday, after battling pneumonia for two weeks.