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Unprecedented day of mourning for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father

By Cheryl Cheng
Mar 29, 2015
2 min read

Today marks the day of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's funeral.

From noontime today till late afternoon, thousands of people stood waiting along the roads that led to the National University of Singapore where the state funeral service was held. Under the pouring rain, mourners aligned at the sidewalks with their raincoats and umbrellas, some soaking wet, to get a glimpse of the cortege.

Mourners waved at the remains of Mr. Lee hailing their former leader’s selfless dedication of his life for almost 60 years. The cortege was escorted by 32 military gunners from the 23rd Battalion Singapore Artillery.

At about 12.30PM, a 21-gun salute was fired from the Padang to honour Mr. Lee. The 25-pounder ceremonial guns are from 21st Battalion Singapore Artillery. The members of the public were throwing flower petals onto the road, screaming "Lee Kuan Yew!" as the cortege followed the long route to where ultimately Mr. Lee’s remains would be laid. As Mr. Lee's casket passed Singapore Polytechnic and Commonwealth, there were streams of students awaiting to bid their last farewells.

Meanwhile, at the University Cultural Centre of the National University of Singapore later this afternoon, foreign dignitaries from more than 20 countries were among 2,200 guests. They included Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Cambodian President Hun Sen, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Bill Clinton. Upon the commencement of the funeral services at 2:00PM, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong offered his eulogy for his late father. "Mr. Lee's principles and ideals continue to invigorate this Government. 'Guide our people.' he said."

Many others such as President Dr Tony Tan, ESM Mr Goh Chok Tong also gave their eulogy for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. A state wreath was laid for Mr. Lee and a lone bugler from the Singapore Armed Forces military band sounded "Last Post" as a final salute. The nation fell into silence upon the sound of the public warning system across the island which was switched on for about a minute by the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Across Singapore, there was thereafter the recitation of the national pledge, and then the national anthem played. With the last note of the anthem, the state funeral service concluded. The cortege left for Mandai Crematorium where a private funeral service was held attended by close family members.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's passing staged a dark week for Singapore. But throughout this period of mourning, we witnessed our fellow Singaporeans coming together as one united nation. I guess an overwhelming emotion stirred in our hearts. And we will never never forget the man who sacrificed his whole life for the welfare of millions of Singaporeans.

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