Lee Kuan Yew lies in state as public bids farewell

Government taken aback by number of people turning out to honor leader who transformed nation

Singaporeans wept on the streets and lined up in their thousands on Wednesday to pay tribute to founding leader Lee Kuan Yew as his flag-draped coffin was transported on a gun carriage to the parliament building for public viewing.

After a two-day private wake for the family, the coffin was taken in a slow motorcade from the Istana government complex, Lee's workplace for decades as prime minister and Cabinet adviser, to the legislature, where it will lie in state until the weekend.