When Parliament sits on Monday, both Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will deliver ministerial statements on an issue that has gripped the nation.
PM Lee will address the allegations of abuse of power that his siblings, Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, have made against him in their dispute on the fate of the Oxley Road home of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, according to the Order Paper released by Parliament yesterday.
DPM Teo's statement will be on the ministerial committee formed to consider options for the house at 38, Oxley Road, a move the two younger Lees have attacked.
Monday's sitting is unusual as it will be one of those rare occasions when Parliament devotes a considerable amount of time discussing a matter with serious implications for the integrity of the Government.
It was sparked by a feud among the siblings that erupted into the public sphere on June 14, when PM Lee's younger sister and brother issued a statement accusing him of abusing his powers to prevent the demolition of the house for political gain.
It led to an almost-daily exchange of rebuttals and explanations.
MPs have raised questions for the debate, which will be robust.
Another topic that MPs will debate is the Sungei Road market. The decades-old flea market will close on July 10 to make way for future homes. Two MPs have filed questions on the issue: Ms Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) and Nominated MP Kok Heng Leun, who will also present a petition from the public to relocate the flea market and its stallholders elsewhere.
The dockless bicycle-sharing system, with indiscriminate parking provoking the ire of some Singaporeans, will come under scrutiny, as three MPs have posed questions.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Chua Chu Kang GRC) and Mr Ang Wei Neng (Jurong GRC) want to know how the Government plans to manage the indiscriminate bike parking in public areas, while Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten) will ask about prosecuting those who damage bikes.
One proposed legislative change will be introduced: Administration of Muslim Law (Amendment) Bill.
Danson Cheong
