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DPM lauds ‘fortitude and dedication’ of public service officers during State Funeral

SINGAPORE — Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean thanked public service officers today (March 31) for tending to various aspects of the lying in state and state funeral for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew over the past week.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean thanking personnel from the SAF at the Padang on March 28, 2015. Photo: Wong Pei Ting/TODAY

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean thanking personnel from the SAF at the Padang on March 28, 2015. Photo: Wong Pei Ting/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean thanked public service officers today (March 31) for tending to various aspects of the lying in state and state funeral for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew over the past week.

In a note sent to some 141,000 officers working across 16 ministries and more than 50 statutory boards, Mr Teo said together, the officers had carried out their duties with “dedication and honour, quietly serving in the spirit of the Singapore Public Service”. 

“Your efforts exemplified the very values that Mr Lee had shown throughout his life—commitment, dedication and personal sacrifice,” added Mr Teo, who is also Minister in charge of the Civil Service. 
Mr Lee, Singapore’s first Prime Minister, died on March 23. He was 91.  

During the period of national mourning last week, Mr Teo said officers across the Public Service stood together with Singaporeans, and showed fortitude and dedication in helping Singaporeans to mourn their loss, recall the critical moments and achievements led by Mr Lee.

On the morning of Mr Lee’s death, Mr Teo noted that officers from the Prime Minister’s Office, Istana, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force, Ministry of Communications and Information, Public Service Division, Ministry of Education, the People’s Association and other agencies swung into action.

“Throughout the week, many of you responded swiftly to dynamic ground conditions, working long hours with little rest, and supported Singaporeans in their grief—at Parliament House and the community tribute sites — to let as many Singaporeans as possible, more than 1.5 million, pay their last respects to Mr Lee,” said Mr Teo. 

For instance, he noted how officers from the Ministry of Transport, Land Transport Authority and the Traffic Police worked to coordinate road closures and extend public transport hours. Many more worked tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate plans from different agencies and to overcome unexpected challenges. 

Mr Teo said the downpour on Sunday — the day of Mr Lee’s state funeral — brought everyone closer together, with officers and their families standing together with fellow Singaporeans in the rain to bid him a “dignified and memorable farewell”.

Mr Teo added: “It is fitting that in Mr Lee’s passing, he brought Singaporeans together and brought out the best in us—public officers, volunteers, and the many who came to pay their last respects, united in a shared desire to say a final farewell to Mr Lee and thank him for his life’s work.” 

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