Hundreds bid farewell
At Lo Hwei Yen's wake, strangers as well as friends of the family grieved together
By Judith Tan
PHOTO: MY PAPER
View more photos
MOST did not know her.
But hundreds of people turned up to say goodbye to lawyer Lo Hwei Yen yesterday.
'Be vigilant', SM says
SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong, visiting Ms Lo Hwei Yen's wake yesterday evening, said her death brought home vividly the fact that terrorism is real.
'This particular tragedy has reinforced our vigilance and our determination to make sure this thing doesn't happen in Singapore.
... more
They filled the marquee at her parent's condominium in Lower Delta Road, where her wake was being held. They spilled out onto the driveway, waiting in line to offer prayers and condolences.
The 28-year-old lawyer was taken hostage and killed by terrorists during a working trip in Mumbai last week. Her husband, Mr Michael Puhaindran, 37, flew in from Singapore and returned with her body on Sunday morning.
Retired policeman Henry Thomas, 70, tried to hold back his tears as he stood before her cheongsam-clad form in a white coffin.
He told reporters later: 'I felt like crying. Their happy married life had been cut short.'
Among the visitors were Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, Environment Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, Foreign Minister George Yeo, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed; and two buses holding 88 grassroots leaders from the Marine Parade GRC.
Ms Lo's father-in-law, Mr S. Puhaindran, is a veteran grassroots leader in Mr Goh's constituency.
Arriving at 7pm, SM Goh headed towards his old friend of 30 years and his son - whom he had known since the younger Mr Puhaindran was six - to offer his condolences before saying farewell to Ms Lo. SM Goh had attended their wedding last year.
Speaking to the media later, he said that there was gloom in Marine Parade.
'Mr Puhaindran is a very well-known figure in Marine Parade. He's been there as my key grassroots figure for over 30 years now, so the Marine Parade residents, in particular the grassroots leaders, feel for him, for Michael, for the family,' he said.
Another visitor, Franciscan nun Sister Carmen, 54, said she will be holding a prayer session for Ms Lo and her family on Sunday.
'I feel the need to do something for the family,' she said.
Also present were the head of the Catholic Church here, Archbishop Nicholas Chia, and Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) president Alami Musa.
Another familiar face was actor Pierre Png, who said he 'felt the need to attend the wake after following the news about her tragic end'.
Even Ms Catherine Tiew, the corporate sales manager of the travel agency that arranged Ms Lo's business trips, turned up.
'We didn't know her personally but read so much about her in the news. Our hearts went out to her and her family,' she said.
The funeral service for Ms Lo will be held at the Church of St Teresa on Thursday and she will be cremated at Mandai Crematorium.
And as a mark of respect, the Singapore office of international law firm Stephenson Harwood, where Ms Lo worked, will be closed that day.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KIMBERLY SPYKERMAN & GRACE CHUA
At Lo Hwei Yen's wake, strangers as well as friends of the family grieved together
By Judith Tan
PHOTO: MY PAPER
View more photos
MOST did not know her.
But hundreds of people turned up to say goodbye to lawyer Lo Hwei Yen yesterday.
'Be vigilant', SM says
SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong, visiting Ms Lo Hwei Yen's wake yesterday evening, said her death brought home vividly the fact that terrorism is real.
'This particular tragedy has reinforced our vigilance and our determination to make sure this thing doesn't happen in Singapore.
... more
They filled the marquee at her parent's condominium in Lower Delta Road, where her wake was being held. They spilled out onto the driveway, waiting in line to offer prayers and condolences.
The 28-year-old lawyer was taken hostage and killed by terrorists during a working trip in Mumbai last week. Her husband, Mr Michael Puhaindran, 37, flew in from Singapore and returned with her body on Sunday morning.
Retired policeman Henry Thomas, 70, tried to hold back his tears as he stood before her cheongsam-clad form in a white coffin.
He told reporters later: 'I felt like crying. Their happy married life had been cut short.'
Among the visitors were Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, Environment Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, Foreign Minister George Yeo, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed; and two buses holding 88 grassroots leaders from the Marine Parade GRC.
Ms Lo's father-in-law, Mr S. Puhaindran, is a veteran grassroots leader in Mr Goh's constituency.
Arriving at 7pm, SM Goh headed towards his old friend of 30 years and his son - whom he had known since the younger Mr Puhaindran was six - to offer his condolences before saying farewell to Ms Lo. SM Goh had attended their wedding last year.
Speaking to the media later, he said that there was gloom in Marine Parade.
'Mr Puhaindran is a very well-known figure in Marine Parade. He's been there as my key grassroots figure for over 30 years now, so the Marine Parade residents, in particular the grassroots leaders, feel for him, for Michael, for the family,' he said.
Another visitor, Franciscan nun Sister Carmen, 54, said she will be holding a prayer session for Ms Lo and her family on Sunday.
'I feel the need to do something for the family,' she said.
Also present were the head of the Catholic Church here, Archbishop Nicholas Chia, and Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) president Alami Musa.
Another familiar face was actor Pierre Png, who said he 'felt the need to attend the wake after following the news about her tragic end'.
Even Ms Catherine Tiew, the corporate sales manager of the travel agency that arranged Ms Lo's business trips, turned up.
'We didn't know her personally but read so much about her in the news. Our hearts went out to her and her family,' she said.
The funeral service for Ms Lo will be held at the Church of St Teresa on Thursday and she will be cremated at Mandai Crematorium.
And as a mark of respect, the Singapore office of international law firm Stephenson Harwood, where Ms Lo worked, will be closed that day.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KIMBERLY SPYKERMAN & GRACE CHUA
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