Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew is fighting a
neurological disease that is making it difficult for him to walk
steadily, his daughter revealed.
Lee, who turned 88 in September, suffers from sensory peripheral
neuropathy, his physician daughter Lee Wei Ling, director of the
National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore, wrote in her weekly
Sunday Times newspaper column.
"In my father's case, sensory peripheral neuropathy has caused
the conduction of sensation from his legs to his spinal cord to be
impaired. This makes his walking unsteady, as many Singaporeans
have already noticed," she wrote.
The column, which deals with a wide range of issues, is closely
followed for glimpses into the private life of Singapore's most
influential family.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is the columnist's elder
brother.
Lee Kuan Yew retired from the cabinet after general elections in
May but continues to travel overseas and remains a member of
parliament, a post he has held since 1955. He served as prime
minister from 1959 to 1990.
"His day-to-day condition now fluctuates. On some days he is
fairly steady and on other days his balance is poor. The problem is
limited to the sensory nerves outside his central nervous system,"
his daughter wrote.
"His brain and muscles are working normally. But being deprived
of sensation from his legs means he finds it a challenge to
balance. Thus his unsteady walk," she said.
The patriarch, however, is determined to fight the disease and
now practises walking on a treadmill at home three times a day
without fail.
"I have no doubt my father will fight this disease for as long
as he thinks he can contribute to Singapore," his daughter
said.
"I think with medication and simple precaution, he can continue
to be of service to his country and the world."
