Lee Hsien Yang’s actions will not distract Govt from focusing on S’poreans’ concerns: PM Wong

SINGAPORE – Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s allegations against Singapore have been fully responded to, and the Government will not be distracted from its work, said Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov 8.

That means focusing on the core issues that are important to Singaporeans, such as taking care of Singaporeans’ livelihoods, advancing the country’s standard of living, and making sure to continue building a better future for the people, he said.

PM Wong’s remarks came after news emerged recently that Mr Lee had been

granted political asylum in Britain

in August.

In several media interviews since then, the youngest child of the late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and brother of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has

accused the Government

of weaponising Singapore’s laws against its critics and said he and his family were facing political persecution.

Asked at a press conference for comment about this development, PM Wong said the Government has responded fully to Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s allegations.

In October, the Government published three responses to claims made by Mr Lee.

They included replies to the Associated Press and the Guardian, and

a statement about the inaccuracy

of Mr Lee’s claim that the 38 Oxley Road family house should be demolished immediately.

The responses said Mr Lee had

turned a “personal vendetta” into an international smear campaign

against his father, family and country.

They also debunked his allegations of political persecution and corruption, among other things.

The Government’s responses also referenced judgments by the Court of Three Judges and a disciplinary tribunal in 2020.

They had found that Mr Lee and his wife, Mrs Lee Suet Fern, lied under oath during disciplinary proceedings against Mrs Lee, a lawyer, over her handling of the last will of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

At the press conference, PM Wong was asked if the British government had seemingly agreed with Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s allegations by granting him asylum. 

PM Wong said he could not speak for the British government and its decisions.

But he had met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the

recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa

and “had a good conversation (though) we didn’t talk about this particular matter”.

Singapore has a strategic partnership with the UK with many areas of cooperation, and there will be opportunities to strengthen the relationship further in 2025 as both countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties, he added.

PM Wong said there are no legal restrictions on Mr Lee, his wife and their son Li Shengwu returning to Singapore.

“We cannot control what he says or does, but there are no legal restrictions on him and his wife or his son,” he said.

Questions over the fate of the Oxley Road house resurfaced after

the death of Dr Lee Wei Ling on Oct 9

.

Dr Lee, the younger sister of SM Lee, had lived in the house until her death.

The basement dining room of the house was the site of many historical meetings between Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team of pioneer leaders, who eventually came together to form the People’s Action Party.

Besides his interviews about seeking asylum, Mr Lee Hsien Yang has also been vocal on social media, especially in relation to the house.

PM Wong said on Nov 8: “I cannot control what (Mr Lee) says when he is abroad, but whatever his actions, they will not distract me and my team from focusing on the core issues that are important to Singaporeans.”