SINGAPORE - From MRT stations to bus interchanges, homes and community centres, Singaporeans acted as one on Sunday evening when they observed a minute of silence to honour the country's founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

A siren blaring across the island linked all to the funeral service inside the University Cultural Centre (UCC).

As those inside the National University of Singapore centre bowed their heads to the tune of the Last Post, a final salute to the departed, people across the island bowed their heads as a mark of respect for Singapore's first Prime Minister, who died last Monday at the age of 91.

Many stopped in their tracks, some with bags in hand outside major shopping malls like Raffles City. Others who were at work, including bus conductors at the Toa Payoh bus interchange, put what they were doing aside for the moment.

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Even the MRT stopped running.

At the Junction 8 mall at Bishan, the usual stream of people came to a standstill in front of a big screen outside the MRT exit.

Part-time florist Sharon Chew, 58, had tears in her eyes as she said: "It feels like such a pity that we lost such a talented and great man.

"I'm deeply pained because he's left us. I've been watching his life history on television and I really feel very moved."

Said Mr Jason Lee, a 29-year-old assistant banquet manager who was watching the eulogies on his phone: "It was a show of respect... for a man who gave his life to the nation.

"The minute was the smallest thing we could have done."

Ms Lu Ying, a 39-year-old permanent resident from China, was at the community tribute centre in Ang Mo Kio,

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"I felt the minute of silence was very touching, said the administrative assistant, who is married to a Singaporean and has been in the country for 13 years.

"This week, I found out how united Singaporeans truly are."