Several roads across Singapore have now been closed off this afternoon to make way for the state funeral procession of former president S R Nathan — a cortège that’ll stretch from Parliament House to the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore.
Kicking off at 2pm, the procession will pass by landmarks of significance to Nathan on the way to the university, where he served as Chancellor from 1999 to 2011.
The first stop: City Hall. As the country’s longest serving President, he reviewed the National Day Parade there in 2000, 2005 and 2010.
Then it’s off to Fullerton Hotel, where Nathan was appointed as a Seamen’s Welfare Officer at the Marine Department early in his public service career. Now a swanky hotel, it was once a building that marked the beginning of Nathan’s career in labour relations and diplomacy.
The NTUC Centre will also be paid a visit, as Nathan served in the Labour Research Unite of the National Trades Union Congress between ’62 and ’65. The man contributed greatly in the NTUC to overcome pro-communist unions during a time of industrial unrest and political strife.
The procession will be led by Nathan’s son, Osith Ramanathan, and accompanied by other family members. Pallbearers include the likes of Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli as well as representatives from the People’s Association.
Seven eulogies will be presented at the UCC by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Ambassador-at-large Professor Tommy Koh, Singaporean diplomat and retired politician Zainul Abidin and more.
Yesterday, over 20,000 visitors paid their last respects to Nathan during the lying in state at Parliament House.
The last State Funeral held was for none other than founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew — a dramatic day intensified by thunderstorms and heavy rain. The procession today however will prove to be another one augmented by the climate in the form of dark, haze-filled skies.
