Lee Kuan Yew's image to be on commemorative note

Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's image will adorn a new commemorative note of 50 Singapore dollars, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong informed parliament on Monday.

"We had hoped that Lee would launch the commemorative set of notes himself. Sadly that is not to be," said Lee Hsien Loong, "but we have decided to continue with the project and will launch the notes later this year. They will form part of our SG50 celebrations, which will honour our founders even as we pledge ourselves to continue their work."

The note will feature a transparent panel showing Lee Kuan Yew with his fist raised, leading the crowd with the rallying cry of "Merdeka!" which means "freedom" in Malay, Xinhua news agency reported. The design of the note had been finalised in 2014.

The note is part of an SG50 commemorative set of notes that capture significant achievements in Singapore's history, and the values and aspirations that underpin the country's progress.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revealed a set of commemorative coins themed "Education, Building Our Nation Together" to mark the nation's golden jubilee on April 4.

Lee Hsien Loong thanked all Singaporeans who paid their tributes to Lee Kuan Yew during the month of his final illness, and the week of national mourning after the founding father passed away last month.