Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin visited Singapore on 27 March and paid his respects to Singapore’s late first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at the lying in state for the leader who died at age 91.

The president also attended the state funeral for Lee which was held on Sunday 29 March.

“‘A good name is better than a good perfume’ (Ecc. 7:1), for a good name will last forever. In memory of a leader whose deeds and legacy will be remembered always. A dear friend of Israel and the Jewish people,” Rivlin wrote in the official book of condolences.

Rivlin’s visit to the Southeast Asian state was the first by an Israeli president since that of Chaim Herzog in 1987.

The former prime minister is credited with transforming the city-state from a British colonial outpost into one of the world’s wealthiest nations on a per-capita basis. He believed in a strong, pervasive role for the state and had little patience for dissent.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the following statement on the passing of the former leader: