TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President Jokowi plans to attend the state funeral of former Singaporean premier Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away on Monday, March 23, 2015 at around 3:18 a.m. local time.
Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto said via text message from Tokyo on Monday the president would attend the funeral—slated for March 29, 2015—after his trip to Malaysia. “Going to Singapore for a state funeral on March 29 straight from KL (Kuala Lumpur),” he said.
President Jokowi left for Tokyo, Japan, to meet with Emperor Akihito. Prior to the meeting, the president offered the government and the people of Indonesia’s deepest condolences for the passing of Lee Kuan Yew.
“The late former premier was a close friend to Indonesia, known as the founder of modern Singapore,” Andi said, adding that Lee Kuan Yew was a prominent figure in Asia besides a great statesman who truly cared about his people.
“Under his leadership, Singapore transformed into a major economic hub in Asia, equal to other developed countries,” he said.
President Joko Widodo is on overseas trips to Japan, China and Malaysia from March 22-28, 2015.
ANTARA
