Thousands gather with world leaders for Lee Kuan Yew's funeral in Singapore
Speaking in 2011, Singapore's founding father and former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew talks about his legacy. He says he transformed Singapore from a small port city to one of the wealthiest nations in the world, securing its future on the world stage: 'I took this country from a very low base in the third world, and in 30 to 40 years gradually transformed it into a first world country'. Lee Kuan Yew died in hospital aged 91 early on Monday
Mourners brave torrential rain as leaders from Indonesia, India, Japan and Australia join former leaders from the US at Sunday’s funeral
The body of Singapore’s former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew is carried on a gun carriage through Singapore on Sunday. Photograph: Mohd Fyrol/AFP/Getty Images
Tens of thousands of Singaporeans have braved torrential rain to pay tribute to the country’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, lining a 15km route through the southeast Asian city-state for his funeral cortege.
People began gathering just after dawn, wearing ponchos and carrying umbrellas, for the procession which began early in the afternoon.
Lee’s coffin, protected from the downpour by a glass casing, lay on a ceremonial gun carriage that was led past city landmarks from parliament to a cultural centre where the state funeral will be held.
The funeral cortege of Lee Kuan Yew passes crowds waiting in heavy rain in Singapore on Sunday.
Photograph: Tom White/EPA
Walking slowly in the coffin’s wake as it exited parliament were Lee’s son, the current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, other family members and government officials.
“He did everything for us Singaporeans regardless of race, language or religion,” Jennie Yeo, a 58-year-old teacher who arrived at 7am to stake out a front-row position, told AP.
“Education, housing, everything you can think of he’s taken care of for us,” she said.
World leaders, current and former, have joined several thousand Singaporean citizens for the event.
The Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe are among the mourners as is the Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott.
Leader of the House of Commons William Hague is representing the UK. The US delegation is led by former US president Bill Clinton and former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, a long-time friend of Lee’s.
More than 1.2 million Singaporeans have formally paid their respects to Lee since he died on Monday, aged 91. Nearly half a million queued to file past his body lying in state at parliament house, while more than 800,000 attended community tribute sites around the island.
The funeral procession, past significant landmarks such as Singapore’s Old Parliament House, Marina Barrage, and St Andrew’s Cathedral, will precede Lee’s funeral service at the National University of Singapore Sunday afternoon.
Lee’s coffin was borne to the gun carriage for the procession by eight members of the Singapore armed forces, and the Singapore police force.
Singaporeans waved national flags and chanted Lee’s name as the cortege passed.
The country will observe one minute’s silence at 4pm.
Singapore’s current prime minister, and Lee Kuan Yew’s son, Lee Hsien Loong thanked the people of Singapore for their condolences.
“My family and I are deeply grateful to everyone who came to pay their last respects to Mr Lee at Parliament House, [prime ministerial residence] Sri Temasek, and the 18 island-wide community tribute sites. We are overwhelmed by your good wishes, messages, gifts, understanding and patience.”
The younger Lee said the country had been united by his father.
“It has been a tremendous experience this week since Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away. I think the response from all segments of our society, everybody, has been overwhelming.”
The elder Leewas a founding member of the governing People’s Action Party and is credited with transforming Singapore from a sleepy Asian entrepot into a bustling and wealthy financial hub.
He was prime minister from 1959, when colonial ruler Britain granted Singapore self-rule, until 1990, leading Singapore to outright independence in 1965 after a brief and stormy union with Malaysia.
He encouraged economic growth with easy regulation and low taxes for business, and by employing a large government apparatus to look after citizens.
Singapore enjoys one of the world’s highest per-capita incomes and its residents enjoy near-universal home ownership, low crime rates and first-class infrastructure.
But progress came at the expense of civil liberties. Critics and human rights groups condemned his iron-fisted rule of his country which saw his political opponents jailed, exiled, or driven to financial ruin through costly libel suits.
Media freedoms were also stifled, and political dissent was not tolerated.
Only 12 opposition politicians have ever been elected to parliament in Singapore.
From 1965 to 1981, the ruling party won every seat in every election. Parliament was formed with no elected opposition MPs for almost two decades.
Lee retained cabinet-level advisory posts – such as “minister mentor” after handing over the premiership to Goh Chok Tong in 1990.
He resigned from the cabinet in May 2011 after his party won its 14th consecutive general election.
The People’s Action party’s 2011 election win was by its slimmest ever margin, though the party still commands a dominant parliamentary majority.
Lee was re-elected to his seat unopposed and remained a member of parliament until his death.
Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong (front) arrives at Parliament House for the state funeral.
Photograph: Mohd Fyrol/AFP/Getty Images
An official makes the final arrangements before the funeral service begins at the University Cultural Centre.
Photograph: Wong Maye-E/AP
Portraits Lee Kuan Yew are set up ahead of the public broadcast.
Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images
Heavy rain failed to deter large crowds from gathering in the streets.
Photograph: Mohd Fyrol/AFP/Getty Images
The heavy downpour has not stopped Singaporeans from lining up to send Mr Lee Kuan Yew on his last journey. Members of the public are seen braving the storm outside Singapore Polytechnic. PHOTO by The Straits Times/DANIEL NEO
Mourners queue to pay their last respects at parliament house.
Photograph: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images
Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger with Ho Ching, wife of Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, pays his respects.
Photograph: Mohd Fyrol/AFP/Getty Images
An aerial view of the queue waiting in line outside parliament house.
Photograph: Desmond Foo/The Straits Times/SPH/EPA
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