Faces in the crowd

For the past few days, wave after wave of Singaporeans turned up at Parliament House to pay respects to founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, undaunted by hours of waiting in the sweltering heat. Here, some share with TODAY why the fleeting minutes spent in the presence of Mr Lee’s casket are well worth the wait.

"Coming here is different from going to other community tribute sites because we want to feel the presence of him. He's a great man who contributed greatly to Singapore.." - Winnie Wee (Right), 17, Victoria JC. She is with her friend Han Yi' En (Left), 18, Victoria JC. Photo: Robin Choo

Mr Jafflin Surah, 30 is from Sabah. He came to Singapore in 2007 and had studied about Mr Lee Kuan Yew in School. Since then on, he started admiring Mr Lee. When asked why he wants to pay his tribute even though he is not a Singaporean, Mr Surah, who came to the Parliament House straight after work said, "I want (to) do something for Mr Lee Kuan Yew.. he's a great man."  Photo: Robin Choo

"My friend asked me how I was going to commemorate Mr Lee... so why not do a poem? It's meaningful. I have a 16 month old daughter, and by doing this, Mr Lee's legacy can be passed down further to young people. Hopefully." - Mr Kelvin Hoon, 31, Government Civil Servant. Photo: Robin Choo

"He built a nation.. we have a responsibility to pay tribute to him. Especially when he has done so much for us in the past.. to bring us to where we are now." - Sophie Li (Centre), 19 who is with Guo Ya Xia (Left), 18 and Mo Jiping (Right), 18 from Hwa Chong International School. Photo: Robin Choo

"I was here on Wednesday (March 25) but I couldn't find where the queue started or ended. And then yesterday I was here with my friend and we queued for about 2.5hrs starting slightly after 12pm. Today, I came with a different group of friends. I just wanted to experience it for myself in person. The first time round it felt quite rushed. I was in and out for five minutes. So I'm hoping the second time around, I will be able to experience better." - Alfred Chua. Photo: Robin Choo

"We thought we should come here to do whatever we can. One of the things we thought we could help was to get people to throw their trash properly." - Singapore Scout Association Chief commissioner Tan Cheng Kiong (Centre). Photo: Robin Choo

"I got some time off earlier from work today and decided to make this trip with my family. There are six of us; I think three of them should be in Parliament House by now. After paying our respects, we will be having a family dinner." - Mr Lawrence Lim (with flowers), 40. Photo: Don Wong

"When I came out after paying my respects, I thought, 'What's next?' I believe that it is for us take (Mr Lee's) vision forward. That will be his wish." - Mr Joshua Gopal Sundram, 38, who works in the Singapore Armed Forces, with wife Angeline Lim, 39, and daughter Kayla Joy Sundram, 3. Photo: Jason Ho

Mr Preston Samuel, 20, an ITE College East student, volunteering his time with the CD Lionhearters by distributing drinks to those waiting in line at the Padang. He clocked in 12 hours yesterday, starting at 7am. Photo: Don Wong

"We never expected to join the queue. We were thinking of paying our respects somewhere outside, near Parliament House. But we thought about it and decided we didn't want to regret later and so we're in line." - Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) student Nicole Ong (third from left), 16. Photo: Don Wong

"I brought my grandson to pay our last respects because it is a special day, history in the making. He has done so much good for us. I remember shaking his hand at an election rally a long time ago. He's a very sincere and fair man." - Mr Teo Ho Peng (centre), 73. Photo: Don Wong

"He is our founding father and, as part of the pioneeer generation, I know the difficulties in the past. But today, there are so many benefits. Now, when i visit the doctor, it's so much cheaper. Really grateful to him." - Ms Lam Siew Kiew, 65. Photo: Jason Ho

"Mr Lee Kuan Yew is a very great man. He's the best Prime Minister we have ever known. Without him, Singapore wouldn't be so successful and prosperous. We are very grateful for all his efforts, for what he has done for us in terms of (the economy) and in terms of how (he) changed Singapore into a modern city, from a Third World country into a First World country. Photo: Jason Ho

Three Singaporeans on Saturday (March 28) handed out stickers bearing a black ribbon and the image of Mr Lee Kuan Yew outside the Supreme Court. Mr Andrew Tan, partner at The Shiok Collective said, "It is a little support for us to carry on and remember the spirit of Mr Lee". 

Ms Cecilia Tan who was also handling out the stickers said she wanted to print the stickers after she got her hands on a car decal bearing a black ribbon and Mr Lee's face. "We want to get people to stick it on their files (for example) so they can remember Mr Lee,"said the 51-year-old retiree. Photos: Amanda Lee

A bed-ridden Madam Lee Gin Hong, 86, came all the way down to the Padang on Saturday (March 28) in an ambulance to pay her respects to the late Mr Lee. The 86-year-old suffered a stroke a year ago. "She has been bugging us for weeks...She was quite upset (about not coming down). when we told her that today was the last day, she insisted that we bring her down," said her daughter Jena Yeo, who is in her mid 40s. 

Ms Yeo said that her mother had immense respect for Mr Lee and always urged her children to vote for him during elections. She came all the way out of her admiration and respect for Mr Lee, having immense feelings for him, said Ms Yeo.