Interment of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew - A dawning of an era

Mar 30, 2015
2 min read

There were sights of people crowding around neighbourhoods from the Parliament House till Clementi, having their last glimpses of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s body being transported to the University Cultural Centre at National University of Singapore. It was a 15.4km route passing by the important buildings such as Padang, Singapore General Hospital, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and Singapore Polytechnic. It was believed that these places were memorable for Mr Lee.

Some were reportedly wai ng overnight near to the Parliament House, just to view the cortege. As it rained heavily before the procession started, people were cloaked in raincoats and umbrellas waiting for it to start.

The ceremony started with the contingents from Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Armed Forces Band, Republic of Singapore Air Force and Republic of Singapore Navy. Altogether, they marched as Mr Lee’s funeral procession left the Parliament House. A 21-gun salute for Mr Lee was fired from the Padang. The guns were from the 21st Battalion Singapore Artillery. It was fired when the body passed by the Padang.

Officers, soldiers and volunteers worked around the clock to ensure a smooth and mely process. No matter how fatigued they felt, the final farewell was still carried out whether it rained or shined.

Even when it was pouring heavily, the soldiers carried on marching. As the route approached the neighbourhood areas, Singaporeans were shouting out his name and some were seen kneeling down on the wet roads. Flower petals were thrown and flags were waved up high as the body passed by.

Without fail, the older generation were weeping away expressing their loss. As the route got shorter, the weather took a shine on them.

As the procession approached the University Cultural Centre, a parade of soldiers were in a line with their heads down showing respect to Mr Lee. The casket was then placed in the University Cultural Centre, where there were 2,200 invited guests for the final farewell. This included leaders from around the world which included former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Australian Prime Minister Tony About and others. Mr Lee Hsien Loong then began his eulogy for his father. It was followed by President Tony Tan who made his eulogy; as quoted, “As a nation, we mourn a man who made a difference.”

As the other ministers made their eulogies, Singaporeans around the nation were seen watching the final farewell at places like shopping centres where they broadcasted the farewell live. The final eulogy was from Mr Lee's second son, Mr Lee Hsien Yang who described Mr Lee as a loving husband, father, grandfather and also the Father of Singapore.

The final farewell ended with Mr Lee Hsien Loong and President Tony Tan presenting wreaths to Mr Lee. Singaporeans then recited their National Pledge together followed by the National Anthem of Singapore.

After the long 7 days of mourning, farewell Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore.

The Writer