Update | Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka-shing leads tributes to ‘dear friend’ Lee Kuan Yew

Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-shing, led tributes to Lee Kuan Yew as he described Singapore’s founding prime minister as a “dear friend” and “steadfast builder of a new nation committed to a true and ordered liberty”.

Li, with his sons Victor Li Tzar-kuoi and Richard Li Tzar-kai, all grim-faced, were among the visitors to pay their respects to Singapore’s late founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, in the Lion City, according to media reports.

The trio attended the private wake yesterday at Sri Temasek, the official residence of Singapore's premier, located on the grounds of the Istana, the Singapore presidential palace.

Although this wake is open only to family and close friends, nearly 1,200 people were present, including the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Singapore President Tony Tan Keng-yam and Singapore cabinet ministers, local media reported. 

Lee, who ruled Singapore between 1959 and 1990, died aged 91 after nearly a month in hospital with pneumonia.

Li and his sons were shown in photos flanked by Ho Ching, the wife of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the late Lee's eldest son.