Mr LKY's Funeral 29 March 2015



Supreme Court & City Hall Bldg, St Andrew's Rd 29 March 2015 @1030hrs

 



Crowd gathered along St Andrew's Road as viewed from Old Parliament House

  

State flag at Half mast above Supreme Court & City Hall Bldg 29 March 2015

29 March 2015 Sunday

It was a cool but cloudy morning as my wife and I set out to board the train to Raffles Station at 0900 hrs. From there we walked to the Parliament House area so that we can view the funeral procession. Upon reaching the Padang area at around 1000 hrs, we saw a big crowd already assembled around the Padang perimeter and City Hall area.



Supreme Court & City Hall viewed from Padang 1100 hrs 29 March 2015

One of the 23-pounder which gave the 21 gun salute during the funeral

 

We planted ourselves at the Old Parliament House area and finally settled down to an area near the side gate of the OPH, thinking that it would offer a great view when the procession departs from the Parliament House.

View of Supreme Court from our position at Old Parliament House @1020 hrs

 

The rain started falling around 1130 hrs. At first it was a light platter but it got heavier and heavier, and before long we faced a thunderstorm! We were utterly wet by the rain as the umbrella was quite useless. Amazingly all the people around us and everywhere did not flinch from their position. They braved the heavy rain and chilling wind to wait patiently till 1300 hrs when the procession began.

The rain did not relent during the procession which passed by very quickly. However, all our spirits were highly lifted when we saw the hearse with Mr Lee's coffin draped in state flag. People shouted his name, thank yous and goodbyes. It was really an emotional moment, really hit.

After that we hurried home to catch the live telecast of the rest of the funeral ceremony. The teary moment came when the bugle sounded 'The Last Post' and we observed a minute if silence after the eulogies by the various people. The ceremony at UCC ended at around 1700 hrs. The procession then headed to Mandai for cremation which was a private affair.



Dear Mr Lee, for the whole week we were captured, through the TV programme and newsprints, by the accounts of your struggles in the past, your vision of the future for Singapore, your sacrifices and your endearing moments, etc so much so that we suddenly thought we knew you very much better. You will always remain a part of our life and we will continue to tell our children and grandchildren about you as you are Singapore. 

Thank yo very much for leaving behind a safe and prosperous country for us to live. We are eternally grateful for that.

Thank you and goodbye.....may you find peace in heaven, together with your loving wife.

We know that you will continued to look after us up there.

The rain fell down heavily from 1130 hrs onwards, view of Supreme Court from Old Parliament House



 

Crowd stayed on spot despite very heavy rain

Crowd gathered along the Esplanade Drive 1130 hrs 29 March 2015

View from Old Parliament House

 

 

View from Old Parliament House of Supreme Court with Elephant Statue foreground

1200 hrs 29 March 2015

Heavy rain fell before the funeral procession 29 March 2015 1200 hrs

Mr LKY's hearse passing by fleetingly 29 March 2015 @1315 hrs

Passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Sunday, 22 March 2015: As our family prepared to go for my wife's birthday dinner at Causeway Point, the sudden thunderstorm which started around 1630 was particularly heavy and strong. The lightnings were striking with such ferocity accompanied by very loud thunder, that we thought an earthquake had struck. My wife and I were saying to each other that 'the sky seemed to be making a loud statement, something is going to happen soon'. It really happen!!!!

Monday 23 March 0318 hrs : our dear founder PM passed away at SGH where he was hospitalised since Feb 5. He had fought a great battle, whether while living or dying, there will not be another such a great man.
When he took Singapore out of Malaysia in 1965, I was a primary 5 pupil. The significance of it did not register until when I started secondary school, when we first recited the National Pledge. We began to value our existence as an independent country, in front of my Malaysian friends in Poly later on.
My perception of him was one who was 'unreachable' . He seemed so aloof and far away. I always hear stories of him being a hard taskmaster. Heard that one principal had to leave because the grass in his school was not cut when LKY visited. However, in retrospect, I began to understand his need to be one-minded, do what was required for the survival of the nation, disregarding all distractions and criticisms. He did what was right for Singapore, set the direction to move forward. There were so many initiatives that came from his foresight.....the Marina Bay, Singapore River Cleanup, Gardens by the Bay, self sufficiency in water supply, etc. As a son of Singapore, I give my upmost respect for him. It made me proud to be a Singaporean, especially when other countries gave us respect when we visited them as tourists.
May he rest in peace. May he find peace in heaven, to be with his dear wife.

  

                                             Mr Lee Kuan Yew 1923 - 2015