SINGAPORE - Many ministers posted farewell messages for Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew on Facebook, following a state funeral that was held for him on Sunday.
While some, like Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim, posted a photo with the simple message "Goodbye Mr Lee. May you rest in peace", others looked ahead to years to come.
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Said Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan Jin on Sunday night: "Farewell and thank you Mr Lee. We will build a better tomorrow." Speaking about the pledge and national that were recited and sung during Mr Lee's state funeral on Sunday, Mr Tan said: "In all my years, this has been the most emotional and meaningful rendition of our Pledge and our Anthem. Majulah Singapura!"
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Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Swee Say on Monday morning also spoke of a better Singapore. He said: "The best way to thank Mr Lee for giving his whole life to bring us to where we are today is to keep creating a better Singapore for all Singaporeans, for generations to come.
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Echoing the view, Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing said on Monday: "A strengthened sense of unity to build a nation regardless of race, language and religion. A refreshed determination to build a democratic society based on justice and equality. An evergreen belief that so long as we work hard and work together, we will achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation. Long live our Singapore Story. We will live the values of our founding generation."
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Law Minister K. Shanmugam posted photos of the hordes of people who lined the streets on Sunday, braving the rain during Mr Lee's state funeral procession. He also spoke of the people who visited community tribute sites around Singapore.
"There has been nothing like this ever. 1 million people turned up along the streets and at the community tribute sites around Singapore on their own accord. People chanting his name "Lee Kuan Yew" as the cortege passed by. He was well loved. And will be dearly remembered," Mr Shanmugam wrote.
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Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong summed up a week of national mourning since Mr Lee's death on March 23 with these words. He said: "This has been an incredible week. I've never seen or experienced anything like this before - Singaporeans openly sharing their grief and emotions, and looking out for one another... united as only a family would be in mourning the loss of a father... Something has changed. It's a stirring, perhaps an awakening, of a people, as we rediscover ourselves and renew our commitment as one Singaporean family."
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