Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew remains on life support in an intensive care unit at a hospital in the country, the Prime Minister's Office said today.

The update was issued by the PMO after rumours spread that the 91-year-old leader, who is widely credited with the city-state's economic success, had died.

Lee, co-founder of the People's Action Party which has governed Singapore since 1959, was admitted to the Singapore General Hospital on February 5 for severe pneumonia.

"He remains sedated and on mechanical ventilation. His doctors have restarted him on antibiotics, and are continuing to monitor him closely," said the statement issued by the PMO. Mechanical ventilation is to support patients in breathing.

Lee led a government for over 30 years and built Singapore into an international business and financial centre after independence in 1965. He stepped down as the Prime Minister in 1990.