'We wish we were in Singapore to grieve for Lee Kuan Yew': overseas Singaporean

Even though they are far from home, Singaporeans living abroad around the world turned out at various Singapore embassies to pay their respects to founding father Lee Kuan Yew after his passing on Monday.

Various Singapore embassies around the world opened up condolence books for overseas Singaporeans to leave tributes to the late first prime minister.

At the Singapore High Commission in London, the condolence book was opened at 3pm on Monday local time.

Singaporean Audrey Chua-Baker, who works in London as a copy editor, was among those who paid tribute from there.

“We wish so very much that we were in Singapore to grieve along with the rest of the country, but the best we can do is to offer our deepest condolences and express our sadness from here,” the 37-year-old said.

Audrey has been living in London for over ten years.

“Thank you Mr Lee for giving us all a reason to hold our heads high, just like you have always done yourself even in times of adversity,” she added.

Mr Low Boon, 79, was seen standing outside the embassy. When approached by our correspondent, he said that he will not be signing the condolence book as he is illiterate.

"I feel like my heart has broken into many pieces. How much this man has done for us. Without him I would never be able to send my son overseas to study, as a humble driver. Now I can even come to London on holiday," he said in Mandarin.

"He made our dreams come true. He is my hero," he added.

Chong W.J, an undergraduate studying in London, also expressed his sadness at Lee’s passing.

“While I may be too young to understand fully what he did for Singapore or means to Singaporeans, I can definitely say he has shown the world how to fight the good – no the best – fight and win,” he said.

The Singapore High Commission at Kuala Lumpur invited members of the public to leave tributes, but many people found out late, according to an usher.

The atmosphere has been quiet and sombre since it opened on Monday.

Malaysia Prime Minister Najib turned up on Tuesday evening to sign a condolence book.

At the Singapore Consulate-General in Hong Kong, many Singaporeans and even some Hong Kongers have been streaming in to sign the condolence books since early Tuesday.

Peace Chiu, a Singaporean editor based in Hong Kong, arrived at around 11.40am and had to queue up for one and a half hours before she got to sign the condolence book.

“Thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew, because of your hard work and sacrifices, I was able to have the best childhood I could possibly have, growing up in Singapore,” the 26-year-old wrote in a Facebook post.

The 91-year-old Lee Kuan Yew passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital at 3.18am on Monday, according to a statement by the PMO. He had been hospitalised since 5 February due to severe pneumonia.

Additional reporting by Alycia Lim, Elizabeth Soh