Mama Kiche's Diary: Goodbye Mr Lee

Mr Lew Kuan Yew passed away on 23 March 2015, leaving behind a lasting legacy and a grateful Singapore forever in his debt.

I am not here to wax lyrical about how great he was, how great his contributions to our island state were. There are too many articles circulating around Facebook and newspapers for that which has probably been shared to death (no pun intended). He may very well be smiling all the way to wherever dead folks go at the thought of joining his beloved wife again.

I wanted to write this blog as a memory of what has transpired since the announcement of his death. From the 8-hour queues by the public just to enter the Parliment House where Mr Lee's body lies in state, to the anecdotes on how loving he was towards his wife and the red box where he kept his official work, to my visit to Tanjong Pagar CC where he was MP once (the fact that it was within walking distance from my office didn't hurt either).

The latest drama brewing in my handphone now is an initiative by SMRT to extend their operating hours till midnight so that people can pay their last respects at the Parliment House. Some idiots on FB took this chance to ask for FOC rides or post comments on how they hope the trains do not break down from overuse. I rate these idiots down there with the idiots who asked when a public holiday will be declared to commemorate LKY's death. I took the chance to lambast the morons who posted stupid comments...

A colleague and I went down to Tg Pagar CC to pay our respects to him as well. It was a somber moment as the fact sank in that this much revered (or much feared, depending on which Singaporean you are talking to) powerhouse is gone. Dead just like many other humans before him and plenty others will be, after him. But one thing is for sure: a greater man we will never see in this lifetime.