More than 400,000 have paid their respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew at Parliament House

SINGAPORE – About 415,000 people have paid their respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the Parliament House, while 850,000 people have done so at 18 community tribute sites as at 6pm today (March 28).

Giving the update this evening, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the large number of people was unexpected.

“This is a number we never really expected to be so large, this huge outpouring of emotions from Singapore people for Mr Lee. We want to thank everyone who came for their patience and understanding, and the spirit I think, was really the Singapore spirit,” said Mr Teo.

He added that the queues to the lying in state at Parliament House will be closed, as planned, to new people joining from 8pm today.

This will “give us several hours we need in order to clear the persons who are already in the queue, to give those who are already in the queue at 8pm an opportunity to pay their respects personally to Mr Lee at Parliament House”, said Mr Teo. The closure will also allow organisers enough time to prepare the Padang and the Parliament House for tomorrow’s State Funeral procession.

Mr Teo, who was at the Padang several nights this week, also thanked all the officers from the SAF, the HOME team and other agencies, as well as volunteers, who have helped manage the crowds over the last few days.

“I understand that many would want to continue to pay their tributes so all the 18 community sites at various places in Singapore will be open 24 hours for them to do so,” he said. “In fact, I’ve been there myself - several of the sites - and it’s a very moving experience because three generation families are there - grandparents, parents and children.”

“They spend time talking to each other, sharing their experiences and some of them personal anecdotes about Mr Lee himself or how Mr Lee helped them. ... it’s a very moving experience.”