Lee Kuan Yew bears a special title in the city-state he did more than anyone else to create - MM, or Minister Mentor, Lee.

Even though he stepped back from mainstream political life in Singapore when he resigned as prime minister in 1990, it's hard to overstate his importance and residual influence.

Born in Singapore in 1923 to a wealthy Chinese family, he was educated at Cambridge and worked as a barrister in London. He worked as a lawyer after his return to Singapore, and in 1954 he founded the anti-Communist People's Action Party (Pap), a party that still dominates political life.

Lee became the country's first prime minister when it became independent in 1959, a position he held until November 1990. During his reign he transformed Singapore from a squalid, mosquito-infested swamp into a booming metropolis, one of the lifestyle capitals of the world.

Critics say this rapid economic transformation has been achieved by curbing civil liberties. Under Lee's leadership, Singapore changed into a heavily regulated society, with the government exercising control over every aspect of life - one wag said Singapore was like North Korea, except with money. The city-state has tried to loosen up its image in recent years but it still wrestles with its nanny-state image.

This has not stopped tourists from coming - the main shopping precinct Orchard Road is buzzing, and last year, Singapore attracted 9.7 million foreign visitors.

As Minister Mentor Lee told a recent political gathering, Singapore's future is looking bright.

"If we maximise our opportunities in this golden period, in five years' time we will have a more vibrant, cosmopolitan Singapore that is not only clean, green and safe, but also a city that is fun to work and live in for Singaporeans and for the many foreign professionals and their families," he said.