SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Speaking at a rare special seating of parliament called to defend the government’s integrity, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday (July 3) he wanted to avoid suing his brother and sister for defamation over allegations that he had abused his power in a dispute with them over what to do with their late father’s house.
The bad blood between the heirs of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, has gripped the city-state since mid-June when the younger siblings Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling launched a series of attacks on their elder brother in social media postings.
They allege Lee Hsien Loong has abused his power in the dispute over the old family home at 38 Oxley Road, and fear that he would use the organs of the state against them. The prime minister has consistently denied the allegations and said he was very disappointed that they have chosen to publicize private family matters.
In a rare move, Lee removed the Party Whip for the debate, allowing lawmakers from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) to question their own cabinet regardless of the party line. PAP controls 83 of the 89 elected seats in parliament, and lawmakers submitted their questions in writing at the end of last week. More than 30 lawmakers are due to put questions over the course of Monday and Tuesday (July 4).
