SINGAPORE: The body of the late Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away on Monday morning, has been transferred from the Istana at Orchard Road to the Parliament House at North Bridge Road for the lying-in-state.
Channel News Asia’s live coverage showed the casket bearing Lee’s body was draped with the state flag and placed on a gun carriage.
A foot procession, accompanied by Beethoven Funeral March No 1 played by the Singapore Armed Forces Band, saw Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his wife Ho Ching and their family marched through the Istana grounds.
The live coverage also showed how the crowd broke out in cheers and applause as soon as the casket let the Istana. Despite being a work day, the crowd lined up the road from the Istana up to Parliament House. Chants of "Lee Kuan Yew" were also heard.
Straits Times Singapore reported that Hsien Loong, Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, the Chief of Defence Ng Chee Meng and Commissioner of Police, Hoong Wee Teck received the casket at Parliament
Lee’s body will lie in state at Parliament House from today to Saturday, for the public to pay their respects.
They can do so from 10 am to 8 pm daily from Wednesday to Saturday.
A state funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday at the University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore.
The state funeral service will be attended by the late Lee’s family, friends and staff, the President, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Old Guards, senior civil servants, grassroots leaders and Singaporeans from all walks of life.
The state funeral service will be followed by a private cremation at Mandai Crematorium.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to attend the late Lee’s funeral on Sunday.
The Indian Prime Minister's Office made the announcement in a statement, and paid tribute to Kuan Yew as the founding father of modern Singapore.
Indian president Pranab Mukherjee had also written to Singapore president Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, conveying his condolences.
“I learned, with great sadness, of the passing of Lee, one of the greatest statesmen of our times, a genuine friend of India.
"He will long be remembered for laying the strong foundation of the excellent cooperation between India and Singapore and also India’s close engagement with ASEAN and other countries in the region.
"Lee Kuan Yew had dedicated himself to the transformation of Singapore into a highly developed, modern city-state and the vibrant economic power that it is today. He has left an unmatched legacy for his people," he wrote.
The Indian president also stated that he had no doubt that Kuan Yew's vision would continue to motivate future generations in Singapore and inspire states and leaders around the world.