Singapore’s founding leader and former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who has been on life support in hospital, “has deteriorated further” and is “critically ill”, the government said Wednesday.

The 91-year-old, widely credited with transforming Singapore from an economic backwater into one of Asia’s wealthiest economies, has been in the intensive care unit at Singapore General Hospital since February 5, receiving treatment for severe pneumonia.

“Mr. Lee Kuan Yew remains critically ill in the ICU and has deteriorated further,” a statement from the office of his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said.

On Tuesday, the government said his condition had worsened due to an infection and that he was on antibiotics while doctors closely monitored his condition.

The senior Lee has been breathing with the help of “mechanical ventilation”, a form of life support, according to the government.

Lee modernised Singapore’s economy, but rights advocates have criticised the British-trained lawyer for his iron-fisted rule, which has seen political opponents jailed or driven to bankruptcy through costly libel suits.

In a book published in 2013, the Asian elder statesman said he feels weaker by the day and wants a quick death.

Prime Minister Lee posted the latest update on his father on his Facebook page and was immediately inundated with expressions of support, prayers and wishes for recovery.

Many expressed their desire to see the senior Lee live a few months longer to witness the celebration of Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence from British rule on August 9.

“My prayer to Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Hang on. Please be around to celebrate SG50 with the nation,” wrote reader Elena Wee Meng Gek.

Netizen Sangeetha Prasad wrote: “I just don’t want him to suffer so much! It is really so heart wrenching! If only love could heal!”

Others were resigned that he may not recover.

“No matter what the outcome is, most important is that Mr Lee Kuan Yew does not suffer. My prayers to him,” wrote reader Jessie Seah.

Lee served as prime minister from 1959, when Singapore gained self-rule from Britain before a brief and stormy union with Malaysia, until he stepped down in 1990 in favour of his deputy Goh Chok Tong. Goh in turn handed the reins to Lee Hsien Loong in 2004.

The People’s Action Party (PAP), which was co-founded by the elder Lee, has been returned to power in every election since 1959 and currently holds 80 of the 87 seats in parliament.

Lee is still an MP for the port district of Tanjong Pagar but retired from advisory roles in government in 2011.

He had previously held the special cabinet positions of senior minister and later “minister mentor” after stepping down as premier.