Singapore is bidding farewell to its founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who died on March 23 aged 91.
Despite torrential rain, thousands are lining the streets to view the funeral procession carrying Mr Lee’s coffin from parliament, where it has been lying in state, across the city.
Following a state funeral attended by world leaders, his body will be cremated in a private family ceremony.
One million people have visited tribute sites this week, say local media.
More than half a million people – 12% of Singaporean citizens – visited Parliament House to see Mr Lee’s coffin, while at least 850,000 others went to community sites to pay tribute.
The funeral procession began on March 29 at 12:30 (04:30 GMT) from Parliament House. The coffin is being carried on a gun carriage through the grounds around Parliament House.
The funeral service is expected to begin at 14:00 at a cultural centre in the west, with foreign leaders including former US President Bill Clinton, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and UK House of Commons leader William Hague attending.
The country will also observe a minute’s silence in the afternoon before singing the national anthem. The private cremation is taking place at the Mandai crematorium.
Many of the city-state’s shopping and commercial centres are expected to be closed on March 29 as a mark of respect to Mr Lee.
Crowds began lining the funeral route early on March 29 morning despite pouring rain
Đăng ký: VietNam News