Family members hold private wake for Singapore’s founding father

World Today

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks to a pre-school student who told him that his father, the late Lee Kuan Yew, has gone to heaven, during a private family wake at the Istana, or Presidential Palace, Tuesday, March 24, 2015, in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Family members and friends of the late former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew signed condolence cards and paid their respects at a private wake held at the prime minister’s office on Tuesday.

Ho Ching, the wife of the current prime minister, was present at the wake and shook hands with the mourners.

[flagallery gid=102]

Lee, the founding father of the Southeast Asian city-state, died on Monday aged 91.

The body of Lee is scheduled to be moved to Parliament House on Wednesday for public viewing.

Singapore’s government has declared seven days of national mourning, and flags are flying at half-mast on state buildings.

Report by The Associated Press