Singapore セレブ pay tribute to Lee Kuan イチイ 

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By Wong Siew Ying, Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia, Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia, May Seah, TODAY and Xabryna Kek

Chen Hanwei, Edmund Chen, Pierre Png, Rebecca Lim, Nurul Aini, Fann Wong and more mark the passing of Singapore's founding Prime Minister.

Edmund Chen (centre) at the Istana with his son Chen Yixi (right). (Photo: Hoe Yeen Nie)

SINGAPORE: Local celebrities have joined other Singaporeans in turning up at the various tribute sites around Singapore to pay their respects to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore\'s founding Prime Minister. 

At Tanjong Pagar Community Club on Tuesday (Mar 24), actor Chen Hanwei was seen paying tribute to Mr Lee. Mr Chen said: "Although he was so powerful, his lifestyle was so simple. And the way he treated his wife is something we all have to learn."

"One of the most important things Mr Lee has left behind is racial harmony. In my opinion, everything Mr Lee has done has not just benefited Singaporeans. Even when you hear from leaders from around the region, the recognition and respect they give Mr Lee is undeniable," said Mr Chen.

"(We need to) keep Singapore safe. It is his gift to us," he added.

On Monday, Edmund Chen and and his son, Chen Yixi, were seen at the Istana writing their tributes, while former actress Chen Xiuhuan paid her respects at Ang Mo Kio Central.

Other celebrities, including Pierre Png, Rebecca Lim, Nurul Aini, Fann Wong, Gunalan Morgan, Gurmit Singh, Suhaimi Yusof, Felicia Chin, Mark Lee, Belinda Lee, Shane Pow, Zheng Geping and more took to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to express their sentiments on the passing of Mr Lee. 

Many of them praised the work he did for the country. “I go to work with a very heavy heart today, for we’ve lost a great man,” said Png (@iampierrepng on Instagram). “But his efforts will not have been in vain if we continue to strive for the best. From slum to first class nation. Onward Singapore”.

Popular Malay actress Nurul Aini (@aanurul on Instagram) wrote: “Thank you for all that you have done for Singapore. We wouldn’t be where we are if not for you”

“Thank you for building Singapore, your dedication, a reminder that each of us will pass on,” wrote Fann Wong (@fannaiaiwong on Instagram).

“Recently, I’ve travelled extensively around Asian countries and learned that Singapore is no doubt the best among all,” Thomas Ong (@thomasong17 on Instagram) opined. “Thank you for bringing Singapore this far. We will continue the rest of the journey and make you proud.”

Vasantham actor Gunalan Morgan (@GunalanMorgan on Twitter) posted: “Really sad to hear about the passing of our first and longest serving Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. You will never be forgotten sir!”, while his Vasantham actress Nithiya Rao (@Raokalz on Twitter) wrote: “Thank you for all that you have done for us. Your legacy lives on! Rest in peace.”

Others’ tributes took a more personal tone. Rebecca Lim (@limrebecca on Instagram), for example, took to Instagram and posted a picture of Mr Lee and his wife, with the caption: “Dear Mr Lee, thank you for your courage, dedication, clarity and your life. Thank you also for showing us that true love does exist.”

“Singapore has always been synonymous with Mr Lee Kuan Yew, to the point where sometimes, we almost believed that he would live forever,” mused Nat Ho (@iamnatho on Instagram), adding: “Every August 9th, I looked forward to seeing him say the National Pledge with the rest of us Singaporeans.”

“Perhaps our generation will never really understand what you have done for us. Thank you for dedicating your life to us,” said actor Andie Chen (@andiechen on Instagram); while veteran actress Xiang Yun (@xiang_yun_ on Instagram) wrote: “Mr Lee Kuan Yew (1923 – 2015), our giant. Your spirit lives on. We will always miss you.”

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