Factsheet for Lying in State

The traditional mounting of the vigil guards during the lying in state period symbolises the highest form of respect accorded to the deceased. It comprises four uniformed officers each standing at a corner of the casket with his head bowed, back turned away and ceremonial sword inverted. The vigil guards will be led by a senior officer, who will stand at the head of the casket facing inwards.

The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng; Chief of Army (COA), Major-General Perry Lim; Chief of Navy (CNV), Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han; Chief of Air Force (CAF), Major-General Hoo Cher Mou; and Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Brigadier-General Chia Choon Hoong will perform the first vigil guard duties in the morning of 25 Mar from 9.45 a.m. to 10.15 a.m. That same afternoon, the Commissioner of Police will lead senior officers from the Singapore Police Force in performing vigil guard duties. On subsequent days, COA, CNV and CAF will lead their respective Services in performing the vigil guard duties.

Friends and former colleagues of the late Mr Lee will also hold vigil in his memory during the lying in state at Parliament House. They will be joined by representatives from various branches of government, trade unions, grassroots organisations and other groups, a reflection of his extensive and diverse contributions to nation-building.

Each vigil group, comprising about 20 persons, will hold vigil for 30 minutes. There will be a break of either 30 minutes or an hour between the vigil groups. The schedule of vigil groups for 25 Mar is below.

1830 – 1900
National Trades Union Congress
Diana Chia
Lim Swee Say
Lim Kuang Beng
Nora Kang
K Karthikeyan
Edwin Lye
Chan Chun Sing
Heng Chee How
Joanne Cham Hui Fong
Tan Hock Soon
Lim Boon Heng
John De Payva
Mahmud Awang
Oscar Oliveiro
Tan Soon Yam
Edwin Netto
Varukatty Mohd
Teo Yock Ngee
Cyrille Tan
Thomas Tay
1930 – 2000
People’s Action Party
Tan Lee Jee
Victor Lye
Tay Bok Hock, Louis
Ong Say Kiat, Jason
Ng Ai Lee, Janica
Chua Eng Leong
Lee Chay Eng, Victor
Mun Kok Hong, Steven
Tan Siang Hui
Foo Doon Chin, Michael
Chua Chong Meng, Vincent
Lim Moh Tin, Rosemary
Shaw Kar Seng, Bob
Tong Chwee Chong, Jeffrey
Tan Poh Hua
Yeong Wai Teck
Goh Peng Tong
Chia Chong Peow
Tan Yan Boon, Alex
Teh Seng Lee, Bobby