Singapore: Tens of thousands of Singaporeans undeterred by heavy rains lined a 15 kilometer (9 mile) route through the Southeast Asian city-state to witness an elaborate funeral procession on Sunday for longtime leader Lee Kuan Yew.
Lee's coffin, protected from the downpour by a glass casing, lay atop a ceremonial gun carriage that was being led solemnly past city landmarks from parliament to a cultural center where the state funeral will be held. Walking slowly in the coffin's wake as it exited parliament were Lee's son, the current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, other family members and government officials.
Crowds of people that began forming not long after dawn for the early afternoon funeral cortege chanted "Lee Kuan Yew" and waved Singapore's national flag. Four howitzers fired a 21-gun salute, air force fighter jets streaked over the island and navy patrol ships blasted horns.
During a week of national mourning that began Monday after Lee's death at age 91, some 450,000 people queued for hours for a glimpse of the statesman's coffin at Parliament House. A million people visited tribute sites at community centers around the city.
The expansive show of emotion is a rare event for Singapore. The island nation about four times the size of Washington DC is known around the world as a wealthy trade and finance center with a strict social order including a ban on chewing gum and caning for some crimes.
Lee was Singapore's prime minister for more than three decades, ruling with an iron grip until 1990, and is regarded by Singaporeans as the architect of their nation's prosperity and harmonious race relations. But his authoritarian rule has also left a legacy of restrictions on free speech, a tame media and a stunted democracy.
"He did everything for us Singaporeans regardless of race, language or religion," said Jennie Yeo, a 58-year-old teacher, who arrived at 7 AM to stake out front row positions with two friends. "Education, housing, everything you can think of, he's taken care of for us," she said.
Leaders and dignitaries from more than two dozen countries are attending the state funeral. The US delegation is led by former President Bill Clinton. Abroad, India has declared a national day of mourning and in New Zealand, the government is flying flags at half-staff.
During the funeral service, civil defense sirens will blare across the island to begin a minute's silence.
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