Singapore's founding PM Lee Kuan Yew's casket transferred to Parliament House

Members of the public take pictures and shout "Thank you, Mr Lee!" as the coffin of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew leaves Istana to lie in state at parliament, March 25, 2015. [Photo/IC]

SINGAPORE -- Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's casket was transferred Wednesday from Sri Temasek, the prime minister's official residence on the Istana grounds, to Parliament House where his body will lie in state until Saturday.

At the Istana Plaza, Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong offered their respects, along with 90 staff from the President's Office and the Prime Minister's Office.

Lee Kuan Yew's casket was carried on a ceremonial gun carriage in a solemn procession. Draped with the state flag, his coffin traversed the lawns of the Istana, before making its way through parts of the Central Business District. Lee Kuan Yew's eldest son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and wife Ho Ching led the foot procession.

The gun carriage made its way out of the Istana grounds, with 24 Ceremonial Guards from the SAF Military Police Command forming a line of honor at the main gate as a mark of respect to the republic's first prime minister.

Thousands of citizens have gathered along the way from the Istana to Parliament House to witness the procession, paying their tribute to the former prime minister of the country.

Some of the Singaporeans said "Thank you, Mr Lee!" or just his name "Lee Kuan Yew" when his casket passed the place where they stood.

Lee Kuan Yew's casket will be placed at Parliament House from Wednesday to Saturday to lie in state for members of the public to pay their last respects.

Among those attending will be Southeast Asian heads of state, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India, Tony Abbott of Australia and Britain's David Cameron.