Singapore held a state funeral for the nation’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on Sunday. Dozens of foreign dignitaries were in attendance, including former US President Bill Clinton, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Former Vice President Vincent Siew attended on behalf of Taiwan. President Ma also traveled to Singapore earlier in the week on a low-key trip to pay his respects to the former Singaporean leader.
Thousands of people gathered in the rain on Sunday to watch as Lee’s coffin, draped in the national flag, was taken through the city. The 15.4 km procession passed many Singapore landmarks before arriving at University Cultural Centre, where the state funeral took place.
Lee died on Monday morning at the age of 91 after having been hospitalized with pneumonia since February 5. His death prompted an outpouring of grief in Singapore and condolences from around the world. He governed for three decades, and is credited with bringing Singapore from third-world to first-world status in one generation.
The former leader was honored with a 21-gun salute and a minute of silence. The three-hour long service included a number of eulogies, including one by Singapore’s current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is the elder son of Lee Kuan Yew.