Lee Hsien Loong
SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has expressed disappointment that his siblings have chosen to issue a statement publicising private family matters.
“I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate allegations that they have made. Ho Ching and I deny these allegations, especially the absurd claim that I have political ambitions for my son,” he said in a statement today.
“While siblings may have differences, I believe that any such differences should stay in the family. Since my father’s passing in March 2015, as the eldest son, I have tried my best to resolve the issues among us within the family, out of respect for our parents,” he said.
Lee noted that his siblings’ statement has hurt their father’s legacy.
“I will do my utmost to continue to do right by my parents. At the same time, I will continue serving Singaporeans honestly and to the best of my ability. In particular that means upholding meritocracy, which is a fundamental value of our society,” he said.
“As my siblings know, I am presently overseas on leave with my family. I will consider this matter further after I return this weekend,” he said.
The statement was issued in response to a six-page public statement issued by his siblings earlier today.
Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang had said in their statement, among others, that they had lost confidence in their brother, Prime Minister Lee.
A feud between the children of Singapore’s late founding leader intensified Wednesday after the two siblings publicly accused their brother of disobeying their father’s last wishes and abusing his powers.
Singapore’s founder Lee Kuan Yew is largely credited with transforming the city-state from a poor former British colony into one of the world?s wealthiest and most stable societies.
His son Hsien Loong became Singapore’s third prime minister in 2004, taking over the reins of the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has governed Singapore since it gained self-rule from the British in 1959.
“We have felt threatened by Hsien Loong’s misuse of his position and influence over the Singapore government and its agencies to drive his personal agenda,” read a statement posted online by Hsien Yang and Wei Ling.
Hsien Yang added that he “will leave Singapore for the foreseeable future” over the widening rift.
In the statement, their grievances largely centred on the fate of the family’s home following their father’s death. – News agencies
The Facebook statement by Lee Hsien Yang.