Singaporean History X

Thursday, May 05, 2005

e' sporean blogs: A Minute of Silence

Let us pay a tribute to our late former president of Singapore by obeserving a minute of silence.....

Dr Wee Kim Wee

1915 - 2005

Fourth President of Singapore
(c)ZuLdaniaL

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This would be a post dedicated to our late former president of Singapore who is very much loved by most Singaporeans. His help and services rendered to the malay community in Singapore would be remembered and is very much appreciated.

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News Extract from channelnewsasia.com on Thursday, March 5 @ 12:17am

Thousands pay last respects to the late Wee Kim Wee at Istana

SINGAPORE : Several thousand more Singaporeans paid their last respects to the late Dr Wee Kim Wee who served as Singapore's president from 1985 till 1993.

The steady stream of mourners included students from primary schools to junior colleges.

Wednesday was also the last day for the public to pay their respects.

Thursday has been set aside for members of the diplomatic corps and other officials, before the cremation on Friday.

Dr Wee had always wanted to associate himself with the common man.

And the man in the street came in the thousands to pay their last respects to the man Singaporeans fondly called the "People's President."

And they came regardless of their race, religion, age, language or nationality.

Singaporeans came by the busloads when the Istana gates were opened at 9.30am on Wednesday.

Among the first to pay their respects were two former Istana staff who have worked for Dr Wee.

Madam Uttamani Tambusamy said Dr Wee showed great concern for the welfare of his staff and their families.

While Jeyalaxmi said Dr Wee gave her and her husband some good matrimonial advice on their wedding day.

"Whatever you do, you put all the good things in your mind, the bad always throw it out, so you can live happily and have a peaceful life," she said.

Some 400 staff and patients of the National Kidney Foundation also came to honour Dr Wee.

Richard Yong of the NKF said: "He has always told us that we have to think of the patient, look after the patient, especially those patients who cannot afford dialysis."

Students also came in large groups as they found the qualities spoken of in the late former president worth emulating.

Lim Hsien Yong, St Andrew's School, said: "When you reach higher heights, don't be too proud, be humble."

And Dr Wee displayed his humility even during his final moments, requesting not to be laid to rest at the Kranji Cemetary, where two former Presidents are buried.

Mr Bill Wee, son of Dr Wee Kim Wee, said: "I thought when his health was failing so rapidly. And we were offered that option from SM (Senior Minister), PM (Prime Minister) to have this state funeral.

"But his wish was conveyed to me by letter which he wrote in February, just a few months before he died, that he began life humble, he wants to end it the way, the same way, he came, humble. And he wanted to be interred with the ordinary people whom he loves."

Later in the day, more Singaporeans arrived at the Istana - some after their workday - to honour Dr Wee.

And despite the brief downpour, they waited patiently for their turn.

Some like 71-year-old Lim Swee Kwang, were red-eyed.

Dr Wee had helped him write this letter 50 years ago which saved him from paying a traffic fine.
He got off with just a warning instead.

"Fifty years ago even before the man became President, he did this for me...indeed a kind man with a good heart," he said.

The first foreign dignitary to pay his respects was Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla, who is in Singapore for an official visit

Former Malaysian Education Minister Khair Johari, an old friend of Dr Wee, also came from across the Causeway.
Current and former MPs were also there to honour Dr Wee.

Representatives from the many religious organisations also said their prayers and final farewell to a well-loved former president who touched the hearts of many.

But it wasn't just Singaporeans who made their way to the Istana.

Pamela Ryan, a New Zealand tourist, said: "We happen to be here by chance. I talked to people and they told us about it. And we thought that it would be respectful to the country that we pay our respects."

At the end of the two-day public wake, the condolence books were filled with names and signatures of thousands of Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans alike - many penning special messages and personal tributes to the man they called the People's President.

Dr Wee will be cremated on Friday at Mandai Crematorium where his ashes will remain non-denominational so that everybody can say their prayers at the appropriate time. - CNA/de

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I was deployed for Istana duty on 03/04/2005 for the funeral wake of the late Dr Wee Kim Wee. I was deployed at the walkthrough metal detector where I am supposed to check on each individuals who came for security purposes. Here are some of the remarks or conversations that I had with members of public who had actually came to Istana to pay their last respects which I will never forget.

Incident 1

" I hope it wouldnt be this troublesome when I die. "

Incident 2

" What are you looking for? Why would you think I would carry anything to cause harm to the people in Istana when I came to just pay my last respects! "

The said visitor left as she refused for her bag to be checked by me. Visitor was uncooperative and despite being explained about the security check.

Incident 3

" May I ask what kind of show is going on inside? Actually I joined the queue to find out. "

I am surprised that despite the publicity, this particular Singaporean couple is unaware about the death of our late Dr Wee Kim Wee.

1 comments

he' blogs @ 1:14 AM

1 Comments:

Dok, dah lah tu, barang yang lepas jangan dikenang. Kalau dikenang, meracun diri...

Touching aku baca kau nyer post. Aku pun suker dier, tapi nak buat per kan?

By Nazri & Aidah, at May 05, 2005 12:48 PM

Thursday, May 05, 2005

1 Comments:

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