Singapore (dpa) - Mrs Lee Kuan Yew, wife of Singapore's founding father, was in serious condition Friday after suffering a stroke, a statement said.

The haemorrhage experienced by the 87-year-old, whose maiden name is Kwa Geok Choo, has subsided, and she is able to recognize immediate family members, said the statement from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's office.

Mrs Lee, as she is referred to, on Monday experienced sudden weakness in the left side of her body and slurring of speech. She was taken to the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) for an urgent brain scan, which revealed bleeding in the right side of the brain.

She was subsequently admitted to the Neurointensive Care Unit in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

"The haemorrhage stabilized after two days of close monitoring and treatment, before she was transferred to the general ward on Wednesday," the statement said. "Currently she remains in a serious condition, although she is able to recognize immediate family members."

The Lees' daughter, Associate Professor Lee Wei Ling, told The Straits Times that her mother was more alert compared to earlier in the week.

"Her intelligence is not affected, but physical movements may be frustrating," said the daughter who is director of NNI. "She is in good spirits given the circumstances."

One of three founders of the Lee & Lee law firm, Mrs Lee suffered a stroke in 2003 when she and Lee were in London on a European tour.

She recovered soon afterward and continued accompanying her husband on official trips, most recently in March to Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Bahrain. (dpa)