SOME 2,000 well-wishers turned up to say their last goodbyes to popular getai performer Lim Lee, causing traffic to crawl at Bedok Reservoir Road on Saturday afternoon.

From 9.30am, drummers and opera singers had begun belting out Mr Lim's favourite Hokkien tunes at Block 135, where the wake was held.

Among the many people who turned up - fans, curious residents and even ice-cream sellers - some described the wake as a 'mini-concert' while others said it was like Chinese New Year.

Mr Lim was a well-loved comedian, singer and host, with many remembering him for dressing in drag on stage. He had died of heart and lung failure last Sunday.

Fans jam-packed the void deck, spilling out into the carpark. Many tiptoed on red plastic chairs, eager to catch a glimpse of the local 'who's who' of getai veterans.

Others jostled for a look at the '9999' number plate on the colourfully decorated hearse vehicle.

Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC Zainul Abidin Rasheed turned up in the afternoon to offer his condolences.

Mr Lim's close friends, getai artists such as Lin Ruping and Zhong Yaonan, were teary-eyed as the hour-long procession looped around the neighbourhood, ending with the release of 54 white helium balloons. Mr Lim was 54 years old.

Later, at the Mandai Crematorium, some 13 busloads of family members, friends and fans jostled for one last look at the coffin. Mr Lim's favourite getai costume, a black and gold outfit, was on top.

Read the full story in tomorrow's edition of The Straits Times.