Remembering Lee Kuan Yew

Long lines for ST Lee Kuan Yew special noon edition

Distance was no obstacle for 76-year-old Gurden Singh, who wanted a copy of the 24-page The Straits Times Special Edition on the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

The retiree travelled from Ang Mo Kio to Dhoby Ghaut and City Hall yesterday in search of the 90-cent tabloid-size special.

Mr Singh, a former Supreme Court intrepreter, ended up at Raffles Place where he joined a queue of hundreds that started at 10.30am.

They waited till just before noon, when the first 100 copies were delivered. Many snapped up both The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao editions.

Sales manager Robin Chan, 63, joined the queue at 10.45am. He heard of Mr Lee's death from friends, adding: "He's our hero."

Marketing executive Khong Foong Ee, 45, said of the edition: "This is something that you pass down to future generations."

The Straits Times editor Warren Fernandez said: "We wanted to capture in words and pictures the many things that Mr Lee has done over the years for Singapore and Singaporeans, and this tabloid special was part of this effort.

"There will be more special reports over the next few days, both in our print paper, as well as our digital platforms. It is our way of paying a fitting tribute to Singapore's founding father."

By 6pm, about 150,000 copies of the edition have been sold. It will continue to be sold at news-stands until copies run out.

All stories on Mr Lee can also be read in full and shared freely on The Straits Times digital platforms as the usual paywall has been lifted.

KOK XING HUI

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