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Singaporeans line the streets for Lee Kuan Yew state funeral | Singaporeans line the streets for Lee Kuan Yew state funeral |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Singaporeans bid farewell to former leader Lee Kuan Yew on Sunday with an elaborate procession and a three-hour state funeral, at which his son, the current prime minister, eulogised the statesman and declared that the wealthy city-state he helped build is his monument. | Singaporeans bid farewell to former leader Lee Kuan Yew on Sunday with an elaborate procession and a three-hour state funeral, at which his son, the current prime minister, eulogised the statesman and declared that the wealthy city-state he helped build is his monument. |
Undeterred by heavy rain, about 100,000 people lined a 15km (nine-mile) route through the city-state to catch a glimpse of the funeral cortege. Lee’s coffin, draped in Singapore’s red-and-white flag and protected from the downpour by a glass casing, lay atop a ceremonial gun carriage that was solemnly led past city landmarks from parliament to a cultural centre where the state funeral was held. | Undeterred by heavy rain, about 100,000 people lined a 15km (nine-mile) route through the city-state to catch a glimpse of the funeral cortege. Lee’s coffin, draped in Singapore’s red-and-white flag and protected from the downpour by a glass casing, lay atop a ceremonial gun carriage that was solemnly led past city landmarks from parliament to a cultural centre where the state funeral was held. |
Along the way, crowds of people chanted his name, snapped photos and waved Singapore’s flag. Four howitzers were fired in a nearby field, air force fighter jets streaked over the island, with one peeling off in a “missing man” formation, and navy patrol ships blasted horns. | Along the way, crowds of people chanted his name, snapped photos and waved Singapore’s flag. Four howitzers were fired in a nearby field, air force fighter jets streaked over the island, with one peeling off in a “missing man” formation, and navy patrol ships blasted horns. |
“To those who seek Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s monument, Singaporeans can reply proudly: ‘Look around you,’” the prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, said in the first of 10 eulogies at the funeral attended by more than 2,000 people, including schoolchildren, Singapore’s elite, world leaders and royalty. | “To those who seek Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s monument, Singaporeans can reply proudly: ‘Look around you,’” the prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, said in the first of 10 eulogies at the funeral attended by more than 2,000 people, including schoolchildren, Singapore’s elite, world leaders and royalty. |
Occasionally drawing tears and laughter, Lee said an important part of his father’s legacy was that “Singapore’s voice is heard and we enjoy far more influence on the international stage than we have any reason to expect”. | Occasionally drawing tears and laughter, Lee said an important part of his father’s legacy was that “Singapore’s voice is heard and we enjoy far more influence on the international stage than we have any reason to expect”. |
As the service neared its conclusion, civil defence sirens blared across the island to signal a minute’s silence. The government had asked trains and buses to stop running to observe a minute of silence. People flocked to a crematorium where a private cremation will be held for a final glimpse of the cortege. | As the service neared its conclusion, civil defence sirens blared across the island to signal a minute’s silence. The government had asked trains and buses to stop running to observe a minute of silence. People flocked to a crematorium where a private cremation will be held for a final glimpse of the cortege. |
During a week of national mourning that began last Monday after Lee’s death at 91, some 450,000 people queued for hours to view the statesman’s coffin at Parliament House. A million people visited tribute sites at community centres around the city. | During a week of national mourning that began last Monday after Lee’s death at 91, some 450,000 people queued for hours to view the statesman’s coffin at Parliament House. A million people visited tribute sites at community centres around the city. |
Lee was Singapore’s prime minister for more than three decades, ruling with an iron grip until 1990. He is regarded by Singaporeans as the architect of their nation’s prosperity and harmonious relations among ethnic Chinese, Malay and Indian populations. But his authoritarian rule and crushing of dissent has also left a legacy of restrictions on free speech, a tame media and a stunted democracy. | Lee was Singapore’s prime minister for more than three decades, ruling with an iron grip until 1990. He is regarded by Singaporeans as the architect of their nation’s prosperity and harmonious relations among ethnic Chinese, Malay and Indian populations. But his authoritarian rule and crushing of dissent has also left a legacy of restrictions on free speech, a tame media and a stunted democracy. |
“He did everything for us Singaporeans regardless of race, language or religion,” said Jennie Yeo, a teacher who arrived at 7am to stake out front-row positions with two friends. “Education, housing, everything you can think of, he’s taken care of for us.” | |
Leaders and dignitaries from more than two dozen countries attended the funeral. The US delegation was led by the former president Bill Clinton. Others included the prime ministers of India, Japan and Australia, and William Hague, the leader of the House of Commons. | Leaders and dignitaries from more than two dozen countries attended the funeral. The US delegation was led by the former president Bill Clinton. Others included the prime ministers of India, Japan and Australia, and William Hague, the leader of the House of Commons. |
Abroad, India declared a national day of mourning and New Zealand government flags were at half-mast. | Abroad, India declared a national day of mourning and New Zealand government flags were at half-mast. |
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