Singapore's former PM Lee Kuan Yew in hospital for severe pneumonia

Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew speaks at a political and business discussion forum in Singapore in this March 20, 2013 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

SINGAPORE - Lee Kuan Yew, former prime minister of Singapore, has been hospitalized for severe pneumonia but his condition has stabilized, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Saturday.

Lee, 91, was admitted to Singapore General Hospital on Feb. 5 for severe pneumonia. He remains on mechanical ventilation in the ICU. "He is conscious and lightly sedated, and his doctors are continuing to monitor his condition," the PMO said.

His ill health has prevented him from attending public and constituency events in recent months. According to the Strait Times, he attended the People's Action Party's 60th anniversary celebrations at the Victoria Concert Hall in November 2014 and his constituency's Tree Planting Day earlier the same month.

As an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC (Group Representation Constituency), he also attended Tanjong Pagar GRC's National Day dinner in August 2014.

Lee was hospitalized for an infection, fever and cough during the lunar New Year in 2014. And in 2013, he was admitted to hospital for a suspected Transient Ischaemic Attack, an episode where irregular heartbeat leads to a brief stoppage of blood flow to the brain.