SINGAPORE - Calls to fly the Singapore flag in front of residents' homes when the state funeral of Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew is held has been given a no go.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Lawrence Wong, praised the "spirit of expression to pay tribute to Mr Lee" but said it "may not be right tone for the day of the state funeral".
A group of young grassroots volunteers from East Coast GRC had first suggested the notion yesterday, reported The Straits Times.
Mr Wong did, however, offer an alternative for those who want to fly the flag - to "carry them along the funeral procession route on Sunday".
Here is his Facebook posting:
I read about the plans to fly the Singapore flag on Sunday. I think it's very good to have such ground-up initiatives, and I strongly encourage this spirit of expression to pay tribute to Mr Lee.
At the same time, I've received feedback from several members of the public that having flags displayed all over our HDB blocks may not be the right tone for the day of the state funeral. So for those who would like to fly the flag, perhaps one way is to carry them along the funeral procession route on Sunday. This is already allowed under current rules.
In fact, we're seeing many different ground-up initiatives - some are wearing black; others white. Some are putting on black ribbons; others white roses. We all express our emotions in different ways. And we all want to say our final farewells to a great man in our own ways. So I encourage Singaporeans to be inclusive and embrace these different actions. Amidst our diversity, let us all come together as one to honour Mr Lee's spirit and legacy.
I read about the plans to fly the Singapore flag on Sunday. I think it's very good to have such ground-up initiatives,...
Posted by Lawrence Wong on Thursday, 26 March 2015
Here is the Facebook posting for the call to fly flags by East Coast GRC:
29th March is the last day of the State Funeral.
Posted by East Coast GRC on Wednesday, 25 March 2015
spanaech@sph.com.sg