Show of kindness in the crowd

SINGAPORE — Like many Singaporeans, banker Kelvin Tan wanted to catch founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s State Funeral procession in person. But instead of heading to the Padang, where a fly-past and a 21-gun salute was held, the 35-year-old decided to join those lining the streets on Jalan Bukit Merah.

“I figured there’d be a big crowd at the Padang, so I went to the heartlands to ensure there’d be enough support for him elsewhere and that he would have a proper send-off,” he said.

And as with the outpouring of goodwill seen from Singaporeans as they queued to pay respects to Mr Lee, Mr Tan, who lives in Farrer Park, also decided to do something for the growing crowd.

With more than three hours to go before the cortege reached Jalan Bukit Merah, Mr Tan went to the nearby IKEA store and bought five stools — two for his wife and himself — and offered the other three to others in the crowd.

Madam Choy Chee Kwan, 45, one of those who received a stool, was appreciative. Armed with an umbrella to shelter her against the rain, she told TODAY that this was her fourth and final goodbye to Mr Lee. She had previously visited Parliament House to pay her respects, as well as the community tribute sites in Tanjong Pagar and at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Speaking in Mandarin, she said: “Even if it rains heavily, we won’t change our plans. Mr Lee did so much for us over the past 50 years and he never tired. Why would I be tired waiting for this short while?”

Mr Tan Wee Tuck, 46, a finance executive, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to show our appreciation for the man who had done so much for this country.”

Others shared the same sentiments as they flanked the road, huddling under umbrellas and ponchos. Even while the drizzle turned into a downpour, most stayed put. Some sought shelter under a nearby block of flats and crowded around an electronics shop, which was showing the live telecast of the funeral procession.

Others, such as 61-year-old Aileen Kwek, watched the live stream on their mobile phones. Mdm Kwek, a patient service officer, waited by the road with her sister, a stroke patient who uses a wheelchair. “We didn’t have a chance to go to Parliament House because it was too crowded and I couldn’t take my sister there. This is our last chance to pay respects. I feel very sad,” she said.

Road dividers along Jalan Bukit Merah were decorated with flowers in tribute to Mr Lee. The flowers were collected during the seven days of national mourning at the various tribute sites and donated to Tanjong Pagar GRC.

National Environment Agency (NEA) staff, whose office is nearby, were also present. “As a mark of respect to Mr Lee, more than 100 of our officers who are not on duty elsewhere have voluntarily organised themselves in a line-up outside our premises,” said an NEA spokesperson.

When the cortege arrived at Jalan Bukit Merah at 1.20pm, the crowd shouted as one: “Lee Kuan Yew, we love you!”

Retiree Chan Yow Pheng said in Mandarin: “Everyone around me was shouting. So I shouted loudly too.” Later, after the crowds dispersed, Mr Chan, 73, lingered by the electronics shop to watch the eulogies delivered during the funeral service, which was also broadcast on television.

He said: “By the time I go back home, it’ll be too late. I’ll just watch it here for a little longer.”