MR LEE KUAN YEW REMEMBERING - TODAYonline
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TODAYONLINE.COM WE SET YOU THINKING
SUNDAY, 5 APRIL 2015 SPECIAL EDITION MCI (P) 088/09/2014
The tributes to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew continue to flow as life returns to normal at a market at Toa Payoh Lorong 8 on Wednesday, three days after the State Funeral Service. PHOTO: WEE TECK HIAN
REMEMBERING
MR LEE KUAN YEW SPECIAL ISSUE
2 REMEMBERING LEE KUAN YEW
Tribute cards for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew by the PCF Sparkletots Preschool (Bukit Gombak Branch) teachers and students displayed at the Chua Chu Kang tribute centre. PHOTO: KOH MUI FONG
COMMENTARY
Where does Singapore go from here?
died a few hours earlier, he said: “I am for some, more bearable. Servicemen the funeral of a loved one can tell you,
CARL SKADIAN grieved beyond words at the passing of and other volunteers went about their the hardest part comes next, when the
DEPUTY EDITOR Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I know that we all duties quietly, eiciently, even as oi- frenzy of activity that has kept the mind
feel the same way.” cials worked to revise plans that had busy is over.
I think the Prime Minister expected to be adjusted after their irst contact Alone, without the necessary and
his past week, things have been, many Singaporeans to mourn the loss, with a grieving nation. fortifying distractions of a period of
T how shall we say … diferent
in Singapore.
These were the Quiet Hours. After
but even he must have been surprised
by just how many did.
As of the last telling, close to two
Last Sunday, about 100,000 people
lined the streets to bid Mr Lee goodbye
as he embarked on his inal journey,
mourning in the company of others,
we now have to collect our thoughts,
make sense of what exactly it is that we
a frenzied week, when Singapore ca- million people headed to Parliament despite the buckets that rained down. have lost, and igure out how to move
reened from grief to the need to say House and the various tribute centres Many more were glued to TV screens, on from here.
thanks, and then back to mourning set up around the island to pay their wherever they could ind them, to watch So, what now?
and grief again, life has settled back respects and to remember the found- the funeral procession and service. It If we can learn anything from the
into more familiar rhythms. ing Prime Minister of Singapore in seemed as if an entire nation came to a reams of newspaper copy put out over
The national colours have luttered their own ways. How many more did halt when the Singapore Civil Defence the seven-day period of national mourn-
proudly atop lagpoles again, black rib- so at temples, mosques, churches or at Force sounded the alert for a minute of ing, from the blanket coverage on tel-
bons have been taken down from Fa- home, with friends and family or alone, silence to be observed. evision and radio, the endless chatter
cebook proiles, Parliament House and we’ll never know. Now, the oicial mourning period in the digital ether, it is this: Mr Lee
the Padang have fallen quiet. The seemingly-endless queues gave is over, and there is that enemy of the was an exceptional man, and he built
And yet … rise to their own ecosystem of Good Sa- grieving to contend with: Time. Af- an exceptional country.
When Prime Minister Lee Hsien maritans who spontaneously turned up ter the frenzy of activity, Singapore But — and there is always a but
Loong appeared on national televi- to give out water, food, umbrellas and now has time to catch its breath and — this fact presents its own set
sion at 8am on Monday, March 23, to other creature comforts to make the ponder the week that was. As anyone of challenges.
announce that Mr Lee Kuan Yew had wait, which ran into as long as 10 hours who has been through the hell that is For someone like me, who grew up in
SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015
early Singapore, the startling changes nominee for the post of national police together to pledge ourselves to continue
that have taken place have not seemed chief, outed as a suspect in a bribery building this exceptional country.
as phenomenal as they ought to be. It case, was later cleared of charges by a “Let us shape this island nation into
has been more of a process of osmosis court, while the leader who nominated one of the great cities in the world, re-
— a skyscraper comes up here, a new him faces questions about why the can- lecting the ideals he stood for, realising
rail station there, ungainly Hawker didacy was dropped. the dreams he inspired, and worthy of
Hunters blossom into sleek F15SG Ea- Look all around you. the people who have made Singapore
gles soaring over National Day Parades, Look at the pictures in the follow- our home and nation.”
one generation of able leaders morphs ing pages that show kings, a former For Mr Lee, many of the Old Guard
into the next, policies debated in one American President and the sitting leaders, and some members of the Pio-
term are brought to fruition in the next, leader of a nation of over a billion people neer Generation, the words of Mr Lee
even if the debate has become sharper, in attendance for the funeral of a man Hsien Yang, in his eulogy at the crema-
more cantankerous. who once — in an almost distant time tion service at Mandai, are appropri-
This is the natural order of things, — led a tiny nation of just ive million. ate: “Your work is done and your rest
is it not? Look around you the next time you are is richly deserved.”
Growing up in a Catholic school, I in the immigration queue at an airport For those of my generation, who have
had hantam bola buddies of every con- in Australia or the United States, and gone from two-roomers in Tanglin Halt
ceivable stripe. Folks of my generation ask yourself what right you have to be to better things, from kopi-o kosong in
have an easy familiarity with “Selamat in the line for automated clearance. recycled condensed milk tins to Kopi
Hari Raya”, “Happy Deepavali”; Mus- That is the great Myth of Singapore Luwak, and, yes, from Third World to
lims say a cheery “Merry Christmas” to Exceptionalism, that this is the natural First, Mr Lee will have our enduring
Christians, who reciprocate with gifts order of things. gratitude. We are champion grumblers,
of fare, carefully prepared to ensure It is the vision of one man, and the and we have moaned about the muz-
non-halal ingredients are avoided. We hard work of those he led, that has given zling of some Opposition voices, about
gather on weekends, a veritable GRC rise to this. It is too easy to be compla- the endless chiding and cajoling from
of buddies, similar despite our difer- cent, to think that things have always on high, and about the policies that
ences, engaging in the raucous banter been this way, and that they will remain gave some quarters in the West cause
that only the sharing of a single tongue so no matter what we do. Too easy to to accuse us — in not so kind terms
would allow. think the world owes us living. That — of being little more than sheep for-
Girlfriends and boyfriends, hus- we’re small but tough, that those ads ever following a shepherd in search of
bands and wives, children, more and which advertise our muscular prowess greener grazing grounds, never mind
more, families and lovers look diferent at half-time of the football game are the routes he took us on.
from the way they did in the past. But enough to keep Singapore where it is, But deep down, we know life has
there are no second looks, no raised and that it’s perhaps time we took our gotten better year by year. In the ver-
eyebrows when a newspaper columnist collective foot of the gas pedal, because, nacular of today’s generation, we have
describes his children as “Chindians”. well, look how far we’ve come! moaned about First World problems.
This is the natural order of things, In the Quiet Hours, let your thoughts Champion grumblers, indeed.
is it not? drift to where complacency will lead us, But for those for whom the events
At school, in army camps, at work, because if it was one thing Mr Lee kept of the week of national mourning were WE SET YOU THINKING
no one bothers if you grew up in a two- reminding us about, it is that we have their irst personal brush with the his-
room lat in Tanglin Halt, as I did, or a no right to be here. We’ve crashed the tory that Mr Lee created, the words of EDITOR
six-room bungalow in Namly Drive, as party. Now, we have to keep proving the Prime Minister should resonate Walter Fernandez
a primary school classmate did. There that we belong. more. A gauntlet has been thrown DEPUTY EDITOR
are so many scholars whose parents are Look around you. down. Will it be picked up? Carl Skadian
hawkers and taxi drivers that these sto- There is one other thing our minds For many who were in the queues, ASSOCIATE EDITORS
ries have become boring, routine, not should drift to in the Quiet Hours, at tribute centres, lining the streets loh Chee kong
worth a mention in the news. Whether before the memory of the days after as the gun carriage trundled by, SG50 JaSon tan
you drive a Ford or a Ferrari, you will March 23, 2015 fade into grey, before will be but a waystation on a longer DIGITAL EDITOR
be ticketed if you break the law; and you we once again get caught up in the con- journey. For most of those who are in Mae lYnn tan
can’t jump queue simply by telling me suming endeavour that is life, before school now, or just being enlisted, or VISUAL EDITOR
who your father or mother is, because consigning events to an archive we will just starting work, for the couples who Mugilan raJaSegeran
all you will get is a smirk. Nothing is go- revisit every once in a while — times will put last week behind them and ex- VOICES EDITOR
ing to be diferent for you, just because. too few and far between to serve any perience joy as they exchange wedding derriCk a Paulo
Again: This is the natural order of useful purpose beyond nostalgia: vows this weekend and the next, and FEATURES EDITOR
things, is it not? There is a common thread that the one after that — because yes, life ChriStoPher toh
It was former foreign minister ties together the speeches made by must go on — SG100 will be an even SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR
George Yeo, perhaps, who summed the Prime Minister in the week that more meaningful milestone. ariel taM
up most succinctly Mr Lee’s contribu- was — a word to the wise, if you will. The rest of us will turn the future
tions to Singapore. Quoting from the That they came from a man so obvi- over to you soon. How will you fol- CORPORATE SERVICES • ROSALIND PNG
CIRCULATION • SUNNY ISSAC
monument to Sir Christopher Wren ously wracked by grief at times should low the prescription dispensed by the
EDITORIAL SUPPORT • DOReeN SAbAI
in London, he said when asked about give us further pause and engender Prime Minister for moving on from
the founding Prime Minister’s most some thoughtfulness of what is ex- the grief? How to build on Mr Lee’s MEDIACORP PRESS LTD
important contribution to Singapore: pected of us in the days, months and foundations, strive for his ideals, and today@mediacorp.com.sg
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We should just look all around us. years ahead. These are the years we keep Singapore successful for many www.twitter.com/todayonline
Look around you. And I mean, really Let us dedicate will have to navigate “without the light years to come?
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look, not just at the towering achieve- ourselves as that has guided us” since the earliest Perhaps for you, in these Quiet Andrew Road, Singapore 299939
ments on these shores, but beyond one people to days of the Republic. Hours, the proper tonic is a good, ex- Tel: 6236 4888 | Fax: 6534 4217
as well. build on his The irst, delivered at 8 am on March hortative dose of Mr Lee Kuan Yew
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Look at the newspapers and at the foundations, 23, said: “Let us dedicate ourselves as himself, taken from a speech made to CIRCULATION HOTLINE 1800 698 6329
reports of the howls of protest after a strive for one people to build on his foundations, the Singapore Press Club on June 7, ADVERTISING HOTLINE 6333 9888
report about the leader of a neighbour- his ideals, strive for his ideals, and keep Singapore 1996, but just as relevant today, almost
ing country who had the gall to turn up and keep exceptional and successful for many 20 years hence:
at a Thaipusam celebration in the garb years to come.” “The sky has turned brighter.
SPECIAL ISSUE
Singapore PRODUCTION TEAM:
of another ethnic group. exceptional The refrain, at the funeral service There’s a glorious rainbow that beck-
Find out about the lawmakers in and successful at the University Cultural Centre on ons those with a spirit of adventure, Shahiron Sahari
a faraway land who invited the lead- for many years March 29: “We come together not only and there are rich indings at the end NG bOON Chew
er of another country to speak in di- to come. to mourn. We come together also to of that rainbow. huang QinQin
rect opposition to a plan by their own rejoice in Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s long and “To the young and not so old, I say, tan Jun-lei
Prime Minister
president to strike a nuclear deal with Lee Hsien Loong full life, and what he has achieved with look at the horizon, follow that rainbow, aliCia Wong
Iran. Debate how it came to be that a at 8aM on MarCh 23 us, his people, in Singapore. We come go ride it!”
4 REMEMBERING LEE KUAN YEW
“The first among our
founding fathers is no more.”
The seven-day period of national mourning for former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew drew an unprecedented
outpouring of emotion from Singaporeans. In this special edition, we take a look back at a historic week for Singapore
and present our reports from those seven days as a keepsake. This special edition divides the events into two parts,
beginning with a chronological retelling of the mourning period, from the private wake at Sri Temasek,
through the days of massive queues at Parliament House, and on to the private cremation at Mandai.
The back of the book comprises pages from our special edition on that fateful Monday, March 23, 2015.
Members of the public gather at Raffles Place to watch on a screen the live broadcast of the State Funeral Service of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew on Sunday, March 29. PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015
Mr Lee Kuan Yew: His life and times, 1923 - 2015
Sept 16, 1923 1936 to 1942 1942 to 1945 1947 Dec 23, 1947 June 21, 1949
Mr Lee Kuan Yew was Graduates from Telok Kurau Japanese Occupation of Singapore, during Enters Cambridge after briefly Marries fellow law undergraduate Kwa Graduates from
born to Mr Lee Chin Koon English School, attends Raffles which Mr Lee worked as a clerk and attending London School of Geok Choo in secret in England. Official Cambridge with rare
and Mdm Chua Jim Neo Institution and Raffles College transcriber for the Japanese, and ran his Economics wedding was held on Sept 30, 1950 double-starred First-
before studies are interrupted own businesses on the side class honours
by WWII
1920 1930 1940
Feb 10, 1952 Nov 21, 1954 April 2, 1955 1957 May 30, 1959 1961 Sept 16, 1963 Aug 9, 1965 Aug 9, 1966 1966 — early 1970s 1976-1978 Sept 7, 1979
His first son, Elected Wins seat in Youngest Leads PAP to Campaigns Singapore joins Chokes back First National Launched bilingual Visits China, and Launches
Mr Lee Hsien Secretary-Gen- Tanjong Pagar, child Lee historic win of for Singapore Malaya as an tears while Day Parade policy where all two years later, Speak
Loong, who eral of the remains MP of Hsien Yang 43 out of 51 to merge with autonomous announcing held at Padang students have to learn Chinese leader Mandarin
will become People’s Action the ward for 60 is born seats in Malaya state after Singapore’s their Mother Tongue Deng Xiaoping campaign
Singapore’s Party, which he years; daughter Legislative declaring expulsion from as a second language. returns the visit,
third Prime founded with Lee Wei Ling is Assembly; independence Malaysia Conscription begins setting in stone
Minister, is Toh Chin Chye, born the same becomes from British after strong lobbying decades of
born S Rajaratnam, year Singapore’s first by Mr Lee. Family bilateral coopera-
among others Prime Minister planning polices tion with China
encouraging people to
have small families —
culminating in the
Stop at Two campaign
— also introduced
1950 1960 1970
Oct 21, 1981 Dec 22, 1984 Oct 9, 1985 1988 Nov 28, 1990 Nov 5, 1992 Jan 1994 Oct 2003 Aug 12, 2004
PAP loses PAP loses Addresses the Introduces the Group Steps down as Prime Steps down as PAP Proposes in Parliament Mrs Lee suffers a Mr Lee Hsien Loong is
monopoly of Potong Pasir US Congress Representation Minister, handing secretary-general, a that formal benchmarks stroke while in appointed Prime
Parliament seat to Mr during an Constituency scheme over leadership to Mr post he held for 38 be introduced to link London with Mr Minister, while Mr Lee
when Workers’ Chiam See Tong official visit to to ensure minority Goh Chok Tong. years. In the same ministers’ and senior civil Lee. She would go assumes newly-creat-
Party’s JB in the General the US representation in Becomes Senior year, Mr Lee Hsien servants’ salaries to on to have another ed role of Minister
Jeyaretnam Election; Mr Lee Parliament. But Minister. That same Loong is diagnosed private sector; White two strokes before Mentor
wins the Anson Hsien Loong is scheme has been year, Mr Lee Hsien with cancer Paper published later she passed away in
by-election elected into Ang criticised by Opposi- Loong is appointed that year and approved 2010
Mo Kio GRC tion as hindering Deputy Prime by Parliament
electoral competition Minister
1980 1990 2000
Oct 2, 2010 May 7, 2011 May 14, 2011 2012 to 2013 Nov 7, 2014 Feb 5, 2015 March 23, 2015
Mrs Lee PAP loses a GRC Announces retirement Public concerns over Celebrates the PAP’s Mr Lee is admitted Mr Lee passes
passes away to an opposition from Cabinet with Mr Goh Mr Lee’s health mount. 60th anniversary at to Singapore away at SGH. He
party — the Chok Tong after General He misses his constitu- Victoria Theatre General Hospital was 91.
Workers’ Party — Election to give Mr Lee ency’s Chinese New and Concert Hall, (SGH) after falling ill
for the first time Hsien Loong a “fresh clean Year dinner for the first where he receives a with severe
slate”. Also revealed to time in 2013 but makes standing ovation pneumonia
have peripheral neuropa- an appearance at the
thy, a disease affecting the National Day Parade
nerves
2010
Photos: Reuters, AP TODAY
6 REMEMBERING LEE KUAN YEW
Singapore
and the world
mourn Mr Lee
Thousands send condolences, and praised him for playing a key role
“not only in achieving Singapore’s re-
global leaders pay tribute to a markable economic growth and pros-
‘lion among leaders’ perity, but also in securing peace and
stability of the Asia-Paciic region and
LOH CHEE KONG the world”.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Regional leaders including Malay-
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg sian Prime Minister Najib Razak and
Indonesian President Joko Widodo also
he Republic lost its founding paid tribute to Mr Lee’s leadership.
T Prime Minister on Monday,
March 23, and the world
mourned the death of a global statesman.
Corporate bigwigs here and abroad
also expressed their condolences, as
did some of his political adversaries.
The announcement in the wee hours Even football clubs in Germany and
of the morning — Mr Lee Kuan Yew England took to social media to ofer
died at 3.18am, and the Prime Min- their condolences.
ister’s Oice’s announced his death a While Mr Lee had been in ill health
little after 4am — left many at a loss for more than a month, his death hit
for words, coming as it did at the end Singaporeans hard. As the hearse
of a week during which Singaporeans carrying his body made its way to
feared the worst after a series of state- Sri Temasek, the oicial residence of
ments chronicling his failing health the Prime Minister within the Istana
made the front pages of local newspa- grounds, where a two-day private wake
pers on successive days. was held, many members of the public
Over the course of the day, tens of who gathered outside the Istana main
thousands continuously thronged sites gate could not contain their emotions.
across the island — including the Istana Cries of “Mr Lee! Mr Lee!” erupted.
main gate, Parliament House, Tanjong Just hours after the announcement
Pagar Community Club and the Singa- of the death, Prime Minister Lee Hsien
pore General Hospital, where Mr Lee Loong addressed Singaporeans in a
had been warded — to pen their trib- live broadcast. In a voice choked with
utes and condolence messages. emotion, and a visage etched with grief,
Singaporeans from all walks of life the Prime Minister said: “I am deeply
also took to social media to pay trib- saddened to tell you that Mr Lee Kuan
ute to Mr Lee, whose death came only Yew passed away peacefully this morn-
months before Singapore’s 50th Na- ing at the Singapore General Hospital...
tional Day. The irst of our founding fathers is no
The Republic’s embassies and con- more. He inspired us, gave us courage,
sulates across Asia saw streams of Sin- kept us together, and brought us here.
gaporeans and locals turning up to sign He fought for our independence, built a
condolence books, while global leaders nation where there was none, and made
past and present wrote of the sadness us proud to be Singaporeans. We won’t
they felt after the loss of “a giant of his- see another like him.”
tory who will be remembered for gen- He added: “To many Singapore-
erations to come”, in the words of United ans, and indeed others too, Lee Kuan felt tributes to the man who had been tearing as I write this. What is there to
States President Barack Obama. In his Yew was Singapore. As Prime Min- so inluential in their political careers. say about Mr Lee Kuan Yew that has
condolence note — among the irst to ister, he pushed us hard to achieve Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, not already been said?”
arrive from a world leader — Mr Oba- what had seemed impossible. After who was once Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s He added: “Each time I think about
ma said his discussions with Mr Lee in he stepped down, he guided his suc- principal private secretary, said he him now, I tear. Each time I read a
2009 were pivotal to the US’ policy of cessors with wisdom and tact. In old did not have the words to express his tribute to him, I choke. It is diicult
rebalancing to the Asia-Paciic region. age, he continued to keep a watchful gratitude for everything that he had to describe in words, the grief I feel.”
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi eye on Singapore. Singapore was his done for Singapore, while Manpower With lags lying at half-mast, and
Jinping described Mr Lee as a “unique- abiding passion. He gave of himself, Minister Tan Chuan-Jin expressed a students in all public schools observing
ly inluential statesman in Asia”, while in full measure, to Singapore ... I am similar sentiment: “One is at loss for a minute of silence during morning as-
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi grieved beyond words at the passing words in moments like this. How does semblies, the Republic began its week-
called him “a lion among leaders”. of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I know that we one fully articulate a nation’s grief or long mourning period. Moments after
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo all feel the same way.” pay tribute?” the Prime Minister’s Oice announced
Abe hailed Mr Lee’s “incomparable Other members of the Cabinet were Law and Foreign Minister K Shan- details of where Singaporeans could
leadership and unparalleled insights” also despondent, as they wrote heart- mugam said: “Mr Lee is no more. I am sign condolence books and pen their
SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015 tributes, long queues started to form. how Mr Lee always had the interests Prime Minister big picture planning, he did not forget last respects at the private wake at the Mr S N Pillai, 50, was among the of the common man at heart despite Lee Hsien the common man.” Istana. Many could not hold back their irst in line at the Istana. The security the weighty job of steering the nation. Loong posted Young Singaporeans also joined in emotions, and emerged teary-eyed. Mr guard is a long-time resident in Mr Lee’s “One thing which struck me or last- on Facebook an the expressions of grief, with many say- Ho Nam Hua, 67, had left a message last Tanjong Pagar ward, and recalled how ed as a memory was during the SARS image of a flag at ing they learnt about Mr Lee from their Sunday at Teck Ghee Community Club Mr Lee had told him to study hard some (severe acute respiratory syndrome) half-mast at the parents. One, student Christopher Lim, for Mr Lee. He was back again the day four decades ago. period ... One question that he asked Istana on March 23 15, said: “He is a great man, someone Mr Lee’s death was announced and he Another Tanjong Pagar resident, during that period was: What about following Mr Lee’s who has helped Singapore accomplish intended to pay his respects at Parlia- Mr Loke Wai Tong, 76, said Mr Lee had the taxi drivers? How is this afecting death. PHOTO: MCI a lot. My parents always told me how ment House the next day. taken care of everything the residents their ability to earn a living? Because grateful we should be to him.” “I woke up at 7 plus and turned on needed. “We lost somebody who fought he knew at that time ... people were On the irst day of the private wake, the television. When I saw the news, I for us against the British, fought for our reluctant to go on public transport or some 1,200 visitors, including Cabinet cried and woke up my son,” he said in rights,” Mr Loke said. to take public taxis. His immediate ministers, MPs, Brunei Sultan Has- Mandarin. “(On Sunday), I came here to Tanjong Pagar GRC Member of Par- concern ... was for their welfare,” said sanal Bolkiah, Hong Kong tycoon Li leave a message ‘Mr Lee, get well soon’. liament Indranee Rajah told reporters Ms Indranee. “In the midst of all the Ka-shing and SGH nurses, paid their Today, I wrote ‘Mr Lee, please go well’.”
8 RemembeRing LEE KUAN YEW — TRibuTes flow
(Clockwise from top left): A family paying tribute to Mr Lee at the East Coast GRC Community Tribute; patrons watching the news about Mr Lee’s passing at a coffee shop in Bishan; people
viewing videos of Mr Lee at a chinese medicine shop; Mr S Gunasegaran praying quietly outside the Istana; the state flag flying at half-mast during morning assembly at Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary).
From a trickle of visitors into snaking lines
A
s the hearse bearing the late The scene at the Istana was repli- tycoon Li Ka Shing and foreign digni- Over at Parliament House, a mix of
Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s body cated in other areas that had been set taries, began arriving. curious tourists and working profes-
pulled up to the Istana’s Main up to allow Singaporeans to pay tribute At Tanjong Pagar Community Club, Elderly folk sionals on their lunch breaks dropped
Gate at around 1pm on Monday, March to the nation’s founding prime minis- meanwhile, the mood was solemn came hand by, and despite the sunny weather, the
23, a hush fell, broken only by frenzied ter, and the mood elsewhere across among visiting residents and grass- in hand mood was sombre. Many came and
triggering of camera shutters as the the island was one of quiet, sometimes roots volunteers. Visitors, several of with their went quietly, but by 4.15pm, oicials
vehicle drove through, before a chorus tearful, grief. From sunrise, when state whom struggled to keep their emotions grandchildren, stationed there said almost 1,000 notes
of cries — some calling out Mr Lee’s lags at government buildings, schools, in check, were guided and assisted by as they told had been left there.
name — pierced the air. community centres and elsewhere were grassroots volunteers who wore white the younger The Singapore General Hospital,
A private family wake was held at unfurled and raised to half-mast, to shirts, black pants and tags with black ones stories where well-wishers irst began gather-
Sri Temasek, the oicial residence of late in the evening, as workers made lanyards. A few who held their compo- of Mr Lee’s ing the previous Friday, was another
the Prime Minister, for Mr Lee until detours from their commutes home to sure until then broke down after de- contributions spot of choice for those who wanted to
March 24, and the Main Gate of the pay respects, it was near impossible to positing lowers and other keepsakes to Singapore. pay tribute to Mr Lee. At the Quad out-
Istana was the chosen gathering point venture into any corner of the island before moving on to view photos of In the case side Block 7, young and old alike arrived
for many members of the public seeking where Mr Lee Kuan Yew did not loom Mr Lee’s public appearances from the of some steadily throughout the day, and placed
to pen condolence notes and express large in thought or conversation. 1950s to his inal years, which were on families, three lowers, cards and letters beneath a
their appreciation for Mr Lee and his Outside the Istana, elderly folk came display. A documentary of Mr Lee’s con- generations large black sign with the words: “We
lifetime of public service. hand in hand with their grandchildren tributions to Singapore was also played were present. Remember with Gratitude”.
By evening, the trickle of visitors and told them stories of Mr Lee’s con- on repeat. In the early afternoon, stu- Wherever they went, and whether
spotted at daybreak had transformed tributions to Singapore. At Monday dents in school uniform began arriving they left lowers, balloons, cards or of-
into sombre, snaking lines. Many in the morning assembly in schools, Majulah after lessons ended. Some took pictures Story by: fered a silent prayer, the grief was pal-
queue were older Singaporeans who Singapura rang out loud and proud. In of the photo display, and parents also Ng Jing Yng, pable, and the sentiment was the same.
had met Mr Lee in the past, during his Bishan, cofee shop patrons ignored the spent some time talking to their young Amanda Lee, Mrs Choi Heng, 68, a retiree, summed
visits to their neighbourhoods, or other beverages at hand and sat glued to tel- children about Mr Lee. Valerie Koh, up the thoughts of many, saying in Man-
Jean Khoo, Xue
such community activities. evision screens recounting the news of Teck Ghee Community Club began Jianyue, Siau Ming
darin: “I don’t think there’s going to be
Teary-eyed, they clutched bouquets the day, and the life and times of Mr Lee. to draw visitors in the morning, and by En, Angela Teng, another (leader) like Mr Lee Kuan Yew
of orchids, white lilies, white roses — Later in the afternoon, the Istana afternoon, residents were also making Matthias Tay … I always tell my grandson to respect
one visitor brought blooms in the col- turned into a hive of activity as guests their way to Ang Mo Kio Central Stage Photos by: him because he must be respected for
ours of the national lag — and came attending the private wake, includ- as soon as it had been set up. As a video Tristan Loh, Koh Mui doing all those things that he had done
dressed to mourn in muted shades ing Deputy Prime Ministers Tharman of Mr Lee played on stage, wreaths and Fong, Jason Ho, for Singapore... It was so diicult in the
of clothing. Shanmugaratnam and Teo Chee Hean, bouquets began arriving. Reuters and AP past but he made things better.”
SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015
Mr Lee a giant among men: Ministers
Senior leaders at a private wake
speak glowingly of Mr Lee’s
commitment, which enabled
Singaporeans to live a better life
C
abinet Ministers — former
and present — paid tribute to
founding Prime Minister Lee
Kuan Yew at Sri Temasek at the Istana
on Monday, March 23, where a private
wake was held.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance
Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
said: “We have lost Lee Kuan Yew, but
Singapore will live on and better still,
because of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The foun-
dations that he built up are the foun-
dations for the future — everything,
education, housing ownership, multi-
racialism, tripatism, clean government
— everything that was Lee Kuan Yew
is what will hold us for the future.”
Present to receive the visitors were
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and
his wife Ho Ching.
Other senior leaders that visited the
Istana include Emeritus Senior Minis-
ter Goh Chok Tong, Defence Minister
Ng Eng Hen, Education Minister Heng
Swee Keat, Law and Foreign Afairs
Minister K Shanmugam, and Commu-
nications and Information Minister Dr
Yaacob Ibrahim. Former Cabinet Min- Minister in the Prime Minister’s
isters Othman Wok and S Dhanabalan Oice Grace Fu also spoke of Mr Lee’s
came to give their condolences to the role in uplifting the role of women in
Lee family as well. Singapore, pointing to the establish-
Also present was Minister for Social ment of the Women’s Charter.
and Family Development Chan Chun “That a regular Singapore woman
Sing, who described the outpouring like me, born, bred and educated in Sin-
of support for the Lee family he saw gapore, could assume a CEO position
at Tanjong Pagar Community Club. in a local MNC which invested in many
“I think that speaks a lot of how Mr countries, is testament to what Mr Lee
Lee has touched the lives of so many had done for women in Singapore. He
residents in Tanjong Pagar. We have We have lost gave us the opportunities to realise our
people who are old, people who are Lee Kuan Yew, dreams and the privilege of choosing
even on crutches, coming to pay their but Singapore our own destiny — to be educated, to
respects to Mr Lee,” he said. “And I will live on pursue a career, to build a family and
think over the last so many years, he and better still, to be what we want to be.”
has done so many things for the Tanjong because of His relationship with his wife and
Pagar residents, especially the older Mr Lee Kuan the role she played in his life — in both
generation will remember him fondly.” Yew. The private and oicial capacities — also
Writing on his Facebook page earlier foundations inspired many women in Singapore,
in the day, Dr Ng said Mr Lee’s vision that he built said Ms Fu, whose father was press
and commitment “enabled poor fami- up are the secretary to Mr Lee Kuan Yew from
lies like mine to move up and give my foundations 1972 to 1993.
children a better life today. I owe him for the future With tears in his eyes, labour chief
a debt of gratitude”. — everything, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s
On her Facebook page, Senior Min- education, Oice Lim Swee Say, who was at the
ister of State for Health and Manpower housing community tribute site at the Bedok
Amy Khor said: “Mr Lee invites super- ownership, Town Centre, said: “We are sad because
latives. He was a giant among men. I can multi- Mr Lee is no longer with us. We are
only marvel at his razor sharp intellect, racialism, grateful because he changed our lives
his astute political judgment, his debat- tripatism, for the better. Obviously we’re going to
ing skills, his discernment of global and clean miss him a lot. Even though he will no
regional trends, his far-sighted vision, government longer be living with us in this world,
and most of all, his devotion to the cause — everything I’m sure for most of us, if not all of us,
of Singapore. that was Lee Mr Lee will forever be living in our
“As a woman, I also feel that Mr Lee Kuan Yew hearts. May he rest in peace.”
has done much for the advancement of is what will The outpouring of support from his
women in Singapore. He in fact laid the hold us for the residents, who were looking forward to
foundations for women, like myself, to future. having the opportunity to pay their last
freely pursue our aspirations when he Mr Tharman respects, also made him appreciate that
Shanmugaratnam
provided equal access to education and From top: Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, former Cabinet minister S Dhanabalan and DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Singapore was “fortunate” to have had
economic opportunities for all.” DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam were among the leaders at the wake. PHOTOS: THE STRAITS TIMES AND FINANCE MINISTER a leader like Mr Lee, he added.
10 REMEMBERING LEE KUAN YEW
PRIVATE WAKE AT SRI TEMASEK
A time of profound sadness and grief
From relatives, friends, and the nurses from SGH who took care of him, to Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and
Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, some 1,200 attended the private wake of Mr Lee Kuan Yew on Monday, March 23.
Many of them could not hold back their emotions at the wake held at Sri Temasek, the oicial residence of the Prime Minister within the Istana grounds.SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015 Clockwise from above: SGH nurses who looked after Mr Lee; former Cabinet Minister Mr Othman Wok; Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and wife, Queen Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha; and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and his family all came to pay their respects to Mr Lee at the private wake. Facing page bottom left: Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing and his son Richard with Ms Ho Ching. Bottom left: Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew. PHOTOS: THE STRAITS TIMES
12 RemembeRing LEE KUAN YEW — TRibuTes flow
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat (right) and Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng looking at messages to Mr Lee Kuan Yew written by visitors to the Tampines Community Tribute. PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN
Singaporeans, and how we had to stay From that point on, the work day
Mr Lee’s red box a step ahead. Inside the red box was
always something about how we could
create a better life for all.
We would get to work right away.
Mr Lee’s secretaries would transcribe
would run its normal course. Mr Lee
read the documents and papers, cleared
his emails and received oicial calls by
visitors. I was privileged to sit in on
every meeting he conducted. He would
HENG SWEE KEAT whole range of questions, relections his dictated notes, while I followed up later ask me what I thought of the meet-
Education Minister and observations. For example, in the on instructions that required coor- ings — it made me very attentive to
years that he was working on his mem- dination across multiple government every word that was said and I learnt
r Lee Kuan Yew had a red oirs, the red box carried multiple early agencies. Our aim was to do as much much from him.
M box. When I worked as Mr
Lee’s Principal Private Sec-
retary, or PPS, a good part of my daily
drafts back and forth between his home
and the oice, scribbled over with his
and Mrs Lee’s notes.
as we could by the time Mr Lee came
into the oice later.
While we did this, Mr Lee would be
Evening was Mr Lee’s exercise
time. Mr Lee had described his exten-
sive and disciplined exercise regime
life revolved around the red box. Before For a long time, other regular items working from home. For example, dur- elsewhere. It included the treadmill,
Mr Lee came in to work each day, the in Mr Lee’s red box were the cassette ing the period when I worked with him rowing, swimming and walking —
locked red box would arrive irst, at tapes that held his dictated instruc- (from 1997 to 2000), the Asian Financial with his ears peeled to the evening
about 9am. tions and thoughts for later transcrip- Crisis ravaged many economies in our news or his Mandarin practice tapes.
As far as the various oicers who had tion. Some years back, he switched to region and unleashed political changes. He would sometimes take phone calls
worked with Mr Lee could remember, a digital recorder. It was a tense period, as no one could while exercising.
he had it for many, many years. It is a The red box carried a wide range of tell how events would unfold. Often, He was in his 70s then. In more
large, boxy briefcase, about 14cm wide. items. It could be communications with I would get a call from him to check recent years, being less stable on his
Red boxes came from the British gov- foreign leaders, observations about the certain facts or arrange meetings with feet, Mr Lee had a simpler exercise
ernment, whose ministers used them inancial crisis, instructions for the inancial experts. regime. But he continued to exercise.
for transporting documents between Istana grounds staf or even questions In the years that I worked for him, Since retiring as Minister Mentor in
Government oices. Our early minis- about some trees he had seen on the ex- Mr Lee’s daily breakfast was a bowl of 2011, he had been more relaxed dur-
ters had red boxes, but Mr Lee is the pressway. Mr Lee was well known for As his PPS, dou hua (soft bean curd) with no syrup. ing his exercises. Instead of listening
only one I know who used his consist- keeping extremely alert to everything I saw the It was picked up and brought home in intently to the news or taking phone
ently through the years. When I started he saw and heard around him. When punishing a tiin carrier every morning, from a calls, he shared personal stories and
working for Mr Lee in 1997, it was the he noticed something wrong, like an pace of work food centre near Mr Lee’s home. He joked with his staf.
irst time I saw a red box in use. It is ailing rain tree, a note in the red box that Mr Lee washed it down with room tempera- While he exercised, those of us in the
called the red box, but it is more a deep would follow. had set ture water. Mr Lee did not take cofee oice would use that time to focus once
wine colour, like the seats in the cham- We could never anticipate what himself. I had or tea at breakfast. again on the red box, to get ready all
ber in Parliament House. Mr Lee would raise — it could be any- a boss whose When Mr Lee came into the oice, the day’s work for Mr Lee to take home
This red box held whatever Mr Lee thing that was happening in Singapore every thought the work that had come earlier in the with him in the evening. Based on the
was working on at any one time. or around the world. But we could be and every red box would be ready for his review day’s events and instructions, I tried
Through the years, it held his papers, sure of this: It would always be about action was and he would have a further set of in- to get ready the materials that Mr Lee
speech drafts, letters, readings and a how events could afect Singapore and for Singapore. structions for our action. might need. It sometimes took longerSUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015
than I expected and, occasionally, I had
to ask the security oicer to come back
for the red box later.
While Mrs Lee was still alive, she
would drop by the Istana at the end of
the day to catch a few minutes together
with Mr Lee, just to sit and look at the
Istana trees that they both loved. They
chatted about what many other old cou-
ples would talk about. They discussed
what they should have for dinner or
how their grandchildren were doing.
Then back home went Mr Lee,
Mrs Lee and the red box. After din-
ner, the couple liked to take a long stroll.
During his days as Prime Minister,
while Mrs Lee strolled, Mr Lee liked
to ride a bicycle. It was, in the words of
those who saw it, “one of those old-man
bicycles”. None of us who have worked
at the Istana can remember him ever
changing his bicycle. He did not use it
in his later years as he became frail,
but I believe the old-man bicycle is still
around somewhere.
After his dinner and evening stroll,
Mr Lee would get back to work. That
was when he would open the red box
and work his way through what we had
put into it in the oice.
Mr Lee’s study was converted out
of his son’s old bedroom. His work
table was a simple, old wooden table
with a piece of clear glass placed over
it. Slipped under the glass are fam-
ily memorabilia, including a picture
of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
from his National Service days. When
Mrs Lee was around, she stayed up
reading while Mr Lee worked. They
liked to put on classical music while
they stayed up. Mr Heng speaking to a visitor at the Tampines Community Tribute. PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN
In his days as Prime Minister,
Mr Lee’s average bedtime was 3.30am. coronary artery did not work. After the return to the hospital at the end of the diverse contents it held tell us much
As Senior Minister and Minister Men- operation, he was put in the intensive night. But he asked his security team about the breadth of his concerns, from
tor, he went to sleep after 2am. If he care unit for observation. When he re- if they could take him to the Singapore the very big to the very small; the daily
had to travel for an oicial visit the next gained consciousness and could sit up in River instead. It was late in the night routine of the red box tells us how his
day, he might go to bed at 1am to 2am. bed, he asked for his security team. The and Mr Lee was in mourning. His secu- life revolved around making Singapore
Deep into the night, while the rest security oicer hurried into the room rity team hastened to give a bereaved better, in ways big and small.
of Singapore slept, it was common for to ind out what was needed. Mr Lee husband a quiet moment to himself. By the time I served Mr Lee, he was
Mr Lee to be in full work mode. asked: “Can you pass me the red box?” As he walked slowly along the bank the Senior Minister. Yet, he continued
Before he went to bed, Mr Lee would Even at that point, Mr Lee’s irst of the Singapore River, the way he and to devote all his time to thinking about
put everything he had completed back thought was to continue working. The Mrs Lee sometimes did when she was the future of Singapore. I could only
in the red box, with clear pointers on security oicer rushed the red box in alive, he paused. He beckoned a secu- imagine what he was like as Prime
what he wished for us to do in the oice. and Mr Lee asked to be left to his work. rity oicer over. Then he pointed out Minister. In policy and strategy terms,
The last thing he did each day was place The nurses told the security team that some trash loating on the river and he was always driving himself, me and
the red box outside his study room. The other patients of his age, in his condi- asked: “Can you take a photo of that? all our colleagues to think about what
next morning, the duty security team tion, would just rest. Mr Lee was 72 at I’ll tell my PPS what to do about it to- each trend and development meant for
would pick up the red box, bring it to the time. morrow.” Photo taken, he returned to Singapore and how we should respond
us waiting in the oice and a new day In 2010, Mr Lee was hospitalised the hospital. to them in order to secure Singapore’s
would begin. again, this time for a chest infection. I was no longer Mr Lee’s PPS at the well-being and success.
Let me share two other stories in- While he was in the hospital, Mrs Lee time. I had moved on to the Monetary As his PPS, I saw the punishing pace
volving the red box. passed away. Mr Lee had spoken about Authority of Singapore to continue with of work that Mr Lee had set himself. I
In 1996, Mr Lee underwent balloon his grief at Mrs Lee’s passing. As soon the work to strengthen our inancial had a boss whose every thought and
angioplasty to insert a stent. It was his as he could, he left the hospital to at- regulatory system that Mr Lee had every action was for Singapore.
second heart operation in two months, tend the wake at Sri Temasek. started in the late 1990s. But I can But it takes private moments like
after an earlier operation to widen a Mr Lee was under doctor’s orders to guess that Mr Lee probably had some these to bring home just how entirely
feedback on keeping the Singapore Mr Lee devoted his life to Singapore.
River clean. I can also guess that the In fact, I think the best descrip-
I have taken some time to picture and the instructions were fer- tion comes from the security oicer
describe Mr Lee’s red box. The ried in the red box the next morning who was with Mr Lee both of those
reason is that for me, it symbolises his to the oice. Even as Mr Lee lay in the times. He was on Mr Lee’s team for
hospital. Even as Mrs Lee lay in state. almost 30 years. He said: “Mr Lee
unwavering dedication to Singapore so The security oicers with Mr Lee is always country, country, country.
well. The diverse contents it held tell us were deeply touched. When I heard And country.”
much about the breadth of his concerns about these moments, I was also moved. This year, Singapore turns 50.
... the daily routine of the red box tells us I have taken some time to describe Mr Lee would have turned 92 in Sep-
how his life revolved around making Mr Lee’s red box. The reason is that, tember. He entered the hospital on
Singapore better, in ways big and small. for me, it symbolises his unwavering Feb 5. He continued to use his red box
dedication to Singapore so well. The every day until Feb 4.14 REMEMBERING LEE KUAN YEW
Mourning moves into public phase
he seven-day period of mourn- procession that saw it traverse the for queues and tentages for people to
T
Thousands gather to pay Members of the
ing for Singapore’s founding lawns of the Istana, before it made its public taking go through security scans set up out-
their respects as the casket is Prime Minister moved into way through parts of the Central Busi- pictures and side Parliament House. A huge turnout
moved to Parliament House a more formal phase on Wednesday, ness District. shouting ‘Thank was expected, with organisations and
March 25, when the body of Mr Lee In doing so, it aforded Singapore- you, Mr Lee!’ companies making plans to ferry their
LOH CHEE KONG Kuan Yew was transferred from Sri ans, who had thus far travelled in droves as Mr Lee Kuan members and employees, respectively,
AssocIATe edITor Temasek — the Prime Minister’s of- to the various tribute centres nation- Yew’s coin leaves to the venue. Credit Suisse and DBS,
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg icial residence on the Istana grounds wide, a way to pay their last respects the Istana on a for example, were understood to have
— to Parliament House, where it lay in in person to a man who had touched ceremonial gun chartered buses to provide transport
TEO XUANWEI state until Saturday, March 28. many lives. carriage to lie in for employees from their oices.
dePUTY NeWs edITor Mr Lee’s casket was carried on a Preparations for the lying-in-state state at Parliament Several irms, including BNP Pari-
xuanwei@mediacorp.com.sg ceremonial gun carriage in a solemn began on the Tuesday, with barricades House. PHOTO: AP bas Singapore, Standard CharteredSUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015
Bank Singapore and law irm Rajah nation where there was none, pursued ple who had worked for Mr Lee at the riage proceeded towards The Istana
& Tann, also allowed their staf to a vision for Singapore and built a irst- Istana and in his Oice, were behind main building, making its way past a
take time of from work to pay their class country that every Singaporean the carriage as part of a 70m foot pro- garden. A dozen Istana landscape tech-
respects. Staf of the National Trades should be proud of ... For a man who cession. The Singapore Armed Forces nicians and horticulturalists were lined
Union Congress could also request for had done so much for Singapore, this (SAF) Band played Beethoven’s Fu- up along the entrance to the garden.
time of, subject to work exigencies, its is the least that we can do.” neral March No 1 during the proces- At The Istana Plaza, President Tony
spokesperson said. At 9am on March 25, a coin-bearer sion, which was led by his family mem- Tan and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh
A BNP Paribas Singapore spokes- party — led by Brigadier-General Ong bers including Mr Lee’s three children Chok Tong ofered their respects, along
person said: “Mr Lee was instrumen- Tze-Ch’in, Commander 3rd Division, — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, with 90 staf from the President’s Oice,
tal in building Singapore into the key and comprising eight oicers from the Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien and the Prime Minister’s Oice, and 24
inancial hub it is today and we believe Army, Navy, Air Force and Police Force Yang — and seven grandchildren. Ceremonial Guards. As the carriage
that it is important for our employees — draped the State lag over Mr Lee’s The carriage passed by a military came to a stop, a bag piper from the
to have the chance to pay their last casket, the highest State honour ac- line of honour comprising 48 person- Singapore Gurkha Contingent played
respects to the founding father of this corded to a leader. The coin bearers nel from the SAF Military Police Com- Auld Lang Syne.
successful nation.” then carried the casket and made their mand, and 20 representatives from Mr The carriage then made its way out
StanChart Singapore CEO Neeraj way to the gun carriage waiting just Lee’s Tanjong Pagar ward and Mr Lee of the Istana grounds. By then, a sea
Swaroop added: “Mr Lee Kuan Yew outside the entrance of Sri Temasek. Hsien Loong’s Teck Ghee ward. of oice workers, parents with young
had dedicated himself to building a Eight pallbearers, made up of peo- After the foot procession, the car- children in tow, retirees and youth —
some of whom had streamed in three
hours earlier — had gathered at the
Istana’s main gate, alongside a contin-
gent of journalists, including some from
international media outlets.
One of the crowd, administrative
oicer Aminah Harun, 51, said she
took time of from work to witness the
historic moment. “He is the father of
Singapore. No matter how, we must
come,” she said.
Along the funeral procession route
that passed through Orchard Road,
Bras Basah Road and North Bridge
Road, crowds thickened as the minutes
ticked away.
From staying updated by tuning in
to news reports on the radio and live
webcast, to iddling with their cameras
and smartphones, the crowd waited in
hushed anticipation until the blares of
Auld Lang Syne played on a bagpipe
emanated from the Istana grounds.
Moments later, the gun carriage
bearing Mr Lee’s casket emerged at
9.38am, trailed by his immediate and
extended family — barring his daugh-
ter, Dr Lee Wei Ling, who was unwell.
Clapping, and cheers such as “We
will miss you, Mr Lee” and “Good
job, Mr Lee”, erupted from teary-eyed
mourners, while others tossed lower
bouquets in the direction of the gun car-
riage as it made its ive-minute journey
to Parliament House.
At Parliament House, the casket was
received by the Chief of Defence Force
Ng Chee Meng, Commissioner of Police
Hoong Wee Teck, Speaker of Parliament
Halimah Yaacob, as well as the Prime
Minister and the rest of the family.
Unlike previous State funerals for
the country’s leaders, the State funeral
for Mr Lee saw, for the irst time, the
tri-service chiefs — Chief of Army Per-
ry Lim, Chief of Navy Lai Chung Han
and Chief of Air Force Hoo Cher Mou
— being part of the irst Vigil Guards,
which also consisted of Lieutenant-
General Ng and Chief of Staf-Joint
Staf Chia Choon Hoong. The tradi-
tional mounting of Vigil Guards during
the lying-in-state period symbolises
the highest form of respect accorded
to the deceased.
Mr Lee’s friends and former col-
leagues also held vigil at Parliament
House. They were joined by representa-
tives from various national agencies,
as a relection of his diverse contribu-
tions to nation-building, the Govern-
ment said.16 RemembeRing LEE KUAN YEW — Final jouRney to paRliament house
FROM SRI TEMASEK TO THE MAIN GATE
A last trip around lush Istana
For the last time, Mr Lee Kuan Yew left Sri Temasek on Wednesday, March 25, with a send-of by eight personal staf who had served and worked
closely with him. At 9am, after a private farewell from his family, Mr Lee’s casket was placed on a gun carriage and the funeral
procession began. Passing the garden, the procession was met by President Tony Tan and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong
at the Istana Plaza, where they said their goodbyes, along with staf from the President’s Oice and the Prime Minister’s Oice, as
well as Ceremonial Guards. From there, the procession passed through the main gate, beginning its journey towards Parliament House.
From top-left: The Guard of Honour
draping the national lag over Mr Lee’s
coin in the Istana before the procession
left for Parliament House, where the public
could pay their last respects; Mr Lee’s
grandsons holding a portrait of him as
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other
family members leave Sri Temasek; The
gun carriage and procession making their
way out of Sri Temasek; President Tony
Tan, his wife Mrs Mary Tan and Emeritus
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong bowing
along with the rest of the Istana staf as the
gun carriage heads for the main gate.
PHOTOS: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION,
THE STRAITS TIMESSUNDAY 5 APRIL 2015
THROUGH ORCHARD ROAD, BRAS BASAH ROAD AND NORTH BRIDGE ROAD
History comes to the Historic District
Exiting the Istana main gate, the procession was greeted by a sea of oice workers, parents with young children
in tow, retirees and youth. Passing through Orchard Road, Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road at
a gentle pace, the procession was accompanied by occasional cries from the crowd calling Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s name.
Above: The gun carriage bearing Mr Lee’s state-flag-draped casket travelling on North Bridge Road. Below: People lined the streets, with some struggling to hold back tears, as the gun carriage passed by.
PHOTOS: JASON HO, WEE TECK HIAN18 RemembeRing LEE KUAN YEW — Final jouRney to paRliament house
AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Final arrival at Parliament House
Arriving at Parliament House, Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s casket was received by eight pallbearers representing the three branches of Government:
The Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary. Among them were Mr Benny Lim, Permanent Secretary (National Development, National Security
and Intelligence Coordination and the Prime Minister’s Oice); Mr Aaron Maniam, director of the industry division at the Ministry of Trade and
Industry; and Mr See Kee Oon, Presiding Judge of the State Courts. Once the casket was placed in Parliament House, the irst Vigil Guards —
a irst for a State funeral — began their watch, among them the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Above left: The gun carriage carrying the body of Mr Lee Kuan Yew from the Istana arrives at Parliament House. Above right: Mr Lee’s casket is carried out from the gun carriage to be moved into Parliament
House. Below: The national-flag-draped casket is received by Mr Lee’s family. PHOTOS: REUTERS, MUGILAN RAJASEGERANYou can also read
