On the day, it was Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s State Funeral. The day was on March 29 2015 (yeah, it was just last week). This was the last day of Mr. Lee’s funeral, which will begin from Parliament House to the University Cultural Centre (UCC) at the National University of Singapore. You know guys… It was heavy rainy day. Even if it was rainy day, but it did not deter Singaporeans to get out and stand along the road to pay respect and say “thank you”.
It was rainy day on Sunday morning last week ago. The rain begun at 10am, and wasn’t stopped. It looked like the sky feel the sadness as Singaporeans too. That the day, it was important day, a farewell to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. For the last time…yeah it’s the last time to say goodbye to Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He passed away on Monday (March 23, 2015) in the National University Hospital.
He was the first Singapore’s Prime Minister (1959-1999). And he was MP (Member of Parliament) until his last breath. He was the nation’s longest-serving MP. Yeah, He was MP in where I live now (Tanjong Pagar MP). His life is for Singapore. Who don’t know him?? Every single Singaporeans recognize him as the Father’s State. Few years ago, one of Singaporeans told me, Lee Kuan Yew is a good man. He brought good life for Singapore and Singaporeans. He worked hard for this country (Singapore).
At 12.30pm, on Sunday last week, my husband told me to come quick to get down on the street to join with another. He turned on TV and watched gun carriage procession, and it was making its way to Parliament House. Since it was Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s last journey to the University Culture Centre at the National University of Singapore, and we weren’t able to go to the Parliament House, so to pay respect to him, we joined with another Singaporeans, down the street.
At the same time, The Singapore Navy honoured him with a ceremonial sail past in the water off the Marina Barrage. And we saw on TV, Armed forces paid tribute to Mr Lee, four ceremonial 25-pounder guns fired 21 gun salute. My husband said, Air Force flew on the air to honour Mr Lee too, formed a Missing Man formation. From our flat, we just heard air plane engine roaring. Four RSAF Black Knights flew overhead, due to heavy rain and low clouds.
I saw many people in corridor and the street. it was so crowded, elderly, young people, even kids, they were going down on the street where Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s body on vehicle with gun carriage pass by. You can’t imagine it, it was heavy rain. Like as many people, we prepared to wear ponchos and brought umbrella. We walked through the crowds. Finally, we found a space and waited for Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s gun carriage.
We aren’t Singaporeans. But why, we joined with another Singaporeans in there… For us, Mr Lee Kuan Yew is a great man, and great father to the nation. He brought Singapore changed into a modern city and good wealth for his people. Yes, he was an architect of wealth. I watched on TV, how he fought and struggled for his country and his people. Just ask Singaporeans (especially elderly man and woman), they know all everything about Singapore in the past. What is the point for us?? He was one of the inspiring person in the world. We can learn from him, we must strive forward for a better future, become strong and do good for our country. For example, we have to study hard, never give up for our dream, and do positive things for our country, even if it is only small things.
Finally, Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s gun carriage came. Shouts of “Lee Kuan Yew!” rang out. I bowed to him and say “goodbye, rest in peace Mr Lee”. And so is people around us, I saw them bow and said “thank you”. Their face looks sad. The carriage went faster, but it was more than enough to catch a glimpse of a moment of Mr Lee Kuan Yew for the last time. And State funeral procession waited for him in the National Culture Centre at the National University of Singapore. Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s State funeral was going at 2pm until 5pm. We watched it on TV. At 4.35pm, the nationwide emergency alarm sound was heard twice to honour Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Good bye Mr Lee Kuan Yew, you are great man and great father. Rest in peace…
Note :
- Photographed by Rdz (except the third and last pictures)
- Third and the last pictures from Google
- Written by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
- Do not copy this article without permissions
- Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permissions (Except Pictures from Google)
