Lee Kuan Yew funeral: pictures and reflections from Singaporeans
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Version 0 of 1. This weekend, the city-state of Singapore has been saying goodbye to its founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Tens of thousands queued to see the former leader lying in state, and an estimated 100,000 turned out in heavy rain to witness Sunday’s funeral procession. Officials estimate that 1.5 million in total paid tribute at assorted sites around the country. We asked our readers in Singapore to share their photos and experiences of a singular and reflective weekend. We also received tributes to Lee, thoughts on his role in the growth and development of the city state, and views on where Singapore goes from here. Here are some highlights. Lying in state Singaporeans queued for up to ten hours under the baking sun to pay their respects, with officials initially unprepared for the weight of numbers. Tents, umbrellas and round-the-clock public transport were hastily arranged in traditionally efficient fashion. Nearing the Lying in State People have queued for more than 8 hours to get to this spot just outside the Parliament building Sent via Guardian Witness By ID509178 28 March 2015, 10:28 One Singapore Thousands of Singaporeans queued, through the night and into the next day, to pay their last respects to Lee Kuan Yew Sent via Guardian Witness By nelise 29 March 2015, 16:00 Umbrella shades A section of the queue alongside the Singapore River sheltering under umbrellas from the searing afternoon sun. Sent via Guardian Witness By ID509178 28 March 2015, 10:30 Community memorials and tributes Community Tribute People are intent on expressing their thanks and appreciation for one who has done so much for them and the country. In addition to the Lying in State, there are 18 community sites where local people can pay their respects. This shot taken about 9pm local time. The tribute will be available round the clock. State funeral tomorrow, Sunday. Sent via Guardian Witness By ID509178 28 March 2015, 13:24 Beloved father... Walking home after dinner with a friend, we passed the long queue of people waiting to pay their respect to Lee Kuan Yew. As we walked past Parliament House on the other side of the road, we came across a make-shift tribute and this note was tucked among the many bunches of flowers. I'm a British expat (three and a half years here) and sense a great deal of sadness and gratitude among Singaporeans. Sent via Guardian Witness By Daksha Bulsara 28 March 2015, 13:10 Community tribute sites in Tampines town Tributes and drawings of gratitude and love for Mr Lee Kuan Yew from all walks of life including the old and very young, at one of the many community tribute sites (Tampines) in Singapore. Sent via Guardian Witness By Jean Ong 30 March 2015, 3:47 A Taoist ritual for our late Mr Lee Kwan Yew conducted by Taoist Mission (Singapore) Favourite food of our late Mr Lee include Rojak and Soya Beancurd offered by fellow Singaporeans who mourn for his demise. Sent via Guardian Witness By Tay Hung Yong 29 March 2015, 10:06 Singaporeans overseas Memorial service at the Singapore HIgh Commission in London Over 500 Singaporeans and well-wishers gathered from all over the UK to pay our respects and share our gratitude and loss. The High Commissioner movingly expressed our deep feelings in her tribute here. Sent via Guardian Witness By lpriddey 29 March 2015, 12:16 End of an era - Farewell to Lee Kuan Yew I am a Singaporean living in London.Watching Mr Lee's State Funeral via Facetime with my family back home. Though I am far away from home, I grieve along with my fellow Singaporeans and am forever in gratitude to Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Growing up in Singapore, I didn't agree with his methods but in hindsight, I now understand why he did what he did. His lifelong dedication to Singapore is undeniable.His legacy lives on and I am very proud to be a Singaporean. Thank you Sir. Sent via Guardian Witness By ID680686 29 March 2015, 9:08 A Father who will be dearly missed As a Singaporean who has lived abroad for a few years, I do realize that not all the policies that Mr Lee implemented may be perfect but his intention was always for the good of the nation. The brilliance in our Founding Father lies in the fact that he had prepared Singapore well for his absence. Thank you Mr Lee. You will be dearly missed but your legacy will live on! Sent via Guardian Witness By yengming 29 March 2015, 10:54 The funeral Crowds waiting for the funeral procession on Commonwealth Avenue West Sent via Guardian Witness By Paul Rickelton 29 March 2015, 7:04 Heavens pour as country mourns As Singaporeans line the streets, heavy showers fall upon Singapore but still it doesn't deter us. Standing in the rain waiting for Mr Lee to make his final viewing of Singapore, Singaporeans yelled out shouts of 'Lee Kuan Yew', 'I love you Lee Kuan Yew!'. The rain did not dampen their spirits, the men in uniform, volunteers, getting drenched in the rain, saluting Mr Lee as he passed. Sent via Guardian Witness By Clarissa-anne Teo 29 March 2015, 9:56 True character of Singaporeans Amazing demonstration of the true Singaporean character. Many outside observers often pondered about Singaporeans who appeared without emotion, timid working machines, hardly loud and bashful. This week of our nation mourning showed the world of the true Singaporean character when there were great sadness. There were no loud wailing, mass marches, huge and prominent displays. Instead hundreds of thousands of ordinary Singaporeans, of all ages, medical conditions, gender, races and background quietly and orderly queue for up to 6 to 10 hours or more, in the sun and rain, just to catch our late founder for couple seconds. Authorities asking them to stop queuing, and even closed the queues when it went too long. There were 18 other tribute sites around the island, but was in vain. The Singaporeans just waited patiently for the queue to reopen many hours later. Then there were also many acts of kindness by unnamed heroes. The Singaporean, top grumbler, whose character is reserved, non confrontational, dignified, determined, willing to work hard and endure. And Lee Kuan Yew has again helped show Singapore to the world again. RIP LKY. Sent via Guardian Witness By Calvin Yong 28 March 2015, 11:34 The morning after LKY's Vision Continues to Be Realised From 42 floors above Singapore, three parts of LKY's vision can be seen. In the distance, Sentosa, once part of the seaward facing fortifications of Singapore. Now a place of leisure for all Singaporeans. Meanwhile, the business of shuffling containers in and out of Singapore, as well as between ships bound for other parts of the world, continues around the clock. Finally, Marina One is rapidly taking shape to join other offices and homes of commerce on land that did not exist thirty years ago. The mood in Singapore over the last week has indeed been sombre and reflective. However, on a bright Monday morning, the business of Singapore is powering ahead. LKY would approve. Sent via Guardian Witness By Wahroongaa 30 March 2015, 5:49 |