What a sad week it had been for Singaporeans the world over. On Sunday about 1,000 Singaporeans in Hong Kong gathered at the Sky Lobby on the 46th floor of Central Plaza to watch the live telecast of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s funeral. When my friends and I got there, a long queue had already formed.

We managed to get seats close to one of the smaller screens. Others who had arrived later had to stand as there weren’t enough seats. It was a well-executed event with different portraits of Mr Lee lining the whole floor with white flowers for accompaniment. There were also adequate screens to make sure no one could view the telecast.

In true Singapore style with everything all thought of, there was pandan cake, water and tissue provided. Ushers were even walking around with packets of tissues in hand and looking out for teary-eyed individuals in need of tissues.

 

Watching the live telecast of the state funeral yesterday with fellow Singaporeans in Hong Kong was an incredibly moving experience as we stood together in grief. Like many Singaporeans, I never expected myself to react in the way I did, ie cry so much. It’s hard to explain these emotions. Perhaps in time behavioural scientists can shed light on it. For now all that is irrelevant as Singapore comes to terms with the nation’s loss.

Watching clips from the past and reading essay after essay about Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s life in the past week has been an intense lesson on Singapore’s history as an independent nation and how it came to be. Being away from Singapore in the past few years and having travelled to many cities has made me appreciate Singapore a lot more. Understanding Singapore’s history has deepened this appreciation much much more.

I think for me and many Singaporeans, the feeling towards Mr Lee Kuan Yew is one of immense gratitude after watching those black and white clips of him campaigning and rallying the crowds. But wow, what an orator he was when he was in his prime. If I had been around when he was shouting “Merdeka!”, I would have been so inspired to fight for independence along with him and his team.

Learning how frugal he was humbled me. This man really walked the talk. While he wasn’t a perfect person, I believe he did his best for Singapore. While he has many critics and detractors, I think the crowds that braved the rain, heat and queues to pay their respects to him validates his life’s work. I’m humbled by this man’s devotion and commitment to Singapore. It has made me – and I’m sure many other Singaporeans – question what it means to be Singaporeans and what Singapore means to us. Somehow, being abroad makes me more patriotic as nationality tends to be the first thing others identify you by when they see or hear that you are different.

 

While watching the state funeral, I was immensely touched by the display of emotion by Singaporeans. To see people lining the roads, waving the national flag, and shouting “Lee Kuan Yew” was amazing. Who would have thought we had it in us?

I was choking with emotion as I said the pledge, hand on heart, and sang Majulah Singapura together with fellow Singaporeans. In death, Mr Lee Kuan Yew showed us what it meant to be a nation. I’ve never been more proud to be Singaporean.

Thank you, Mr Lee.