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'We won't see another man like him'

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"The first of our founding fathers is no more. He inspired us, gave us courage, kept us together, and brought us here.

"He fought for our independence, built a nation where there was none, and made us proud to be Singaporeans.

"We won't see another man like him.

"To many Singaporeans, and indeed others too, Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore.

"As Prime Minister, he pushed us hard to achieve what had seemed impossible. After he stepped down, he guided his successors with wisdom and tact. In old age, he continued to keep a watchful eye on Singapore.

"Singapore was his abiding passion. He gave of himself, in full measure, to Singapore.

"As he himself put it towards the end of his life, and I quote: 'I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There's nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life.'

"I am grieved beyond words at the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I know that we all feel the same way.

"But even as we mourn his passing, let us also honour his spirit. Let us dedicate ourselves as one people to build on his foundations, strive for his ideals, and keep Singapore exceptional and successful for many years to come.

"May Mr Lee Kuan Yew rest in peace."

- Prime Minister Lee 
Hsien Loong, in his address to the 
nation yesterday morning

WAKE AND FUNERAL PROCEEDINGS

The Prime Minister has declared a period of national mourning until Sunday.

  • The second day of a private family wake will be held today at Sri Temasek.
  • Mr Lee Kuan Yew's body will lie in state at Parliament House from tomorrow to Saturday for the public to pay their last respects. They can do so from 10am to 8pm during this time.
  • A gun carriage will carry Mr Lee's coffin from the Istana to Parliament House tomorrow.
  • Orchard Road (between Buyong Road and Selegie Road), Bras Basah Road (between Selegie Road and North Bridge Road) and North Bridge Road (between Bras Basah Road and North Boat Quay) will be closed from 8.45am to 9.30am tomorrow.

For full details of all traffic arrangements for the wake and funeral, visit www.tnp.sg/news/road-closures-mr-lee-kuan-yews-state-funeral

  • There will be a special sitting of Parliament to pay tribute to Mr Lee on Thursday at 4pm.
  • On Sunday, a state funeral service for Mr Lee will be held at 2pm at the University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore.
  • The service will be followed by a private cremation at Mandai Crematorium.
  • Condolence books and cards will be available in front of the Istana main gate from today to Sunday for those who wish to pen their tributes to the late Mr Lee. Condolence books will also be opened at all overseas missions.
  • The public can express their condolences and share their memories of the late Mr Lee at the official website at www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg
  • The public can call the 24-hour hotline at 6336-1166 with queries, or visit www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg and www.facebook.com/rememberingleekuanyew for more details.

18 SITES FOR PUBLIC TO PAY LAST RESPECTS

Eighteen community sites will be set up across Singapore for the public to pay their last respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

  • The first four community sites - in Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Ang Mo Kio GRC, East Coast GRC and Chua Chu Kang GRC - will be ready from 10am today.
  • These are located at Tanjong Pagar CC, Ang Mo Kio Central Stage @ Ang Mo Kio Town Centre, open space in front of Block 209, New Upper Changi Road @ Bedok Town Centre and the hardcourt opposite Block 302, Choa Chu Kang Loop.
  • Another 14 community sites will be set up for the public to pay their last respects from 10am tomorrow.
  • All community sites will operate daily from 10am to 8pm, until Sunday (till the end of the State Funeral).
  • Residents may visit the sites for a live telecast of the State Funeral on Sunday.

TRIBUTES AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES 

Members of the public can also pay tribute and pen their memories of Mr Lee Kuan Yew at 25 public libraries.

A memory collection booth will be set up at each of these libraries from March 25 to April 22.

A selection of books on and by the late Mr Lee will also be on display.

The libraries will be open from 10am to 9pm except for those located in the shopping malls, which will be open from 11am to 9pm.

The Lee Kong Chian Reference Library will also showcase a special book gallery featuring a curated collection of books, publications and a multimedia display of archival photos, newspaper articles, recordings and transcripts of Mr Lee's speeches.

SingaporeLee Kuan Yewfounding fathers