Son of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew granted asylum in UK

Published October 24, 2024
Lee Hsien Yang of the Progress Singapore Party meets residents ahead of the general election in Singapore June 30, 2020 — Reuters File Photo
Lee Hsien Yang of the Progress Singapore Party meets residents ahead of the general election in Singapore June 30, 2020 — Reuters File Photo

SINGAPORE: The youngest son of Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew said he was granted asylum in Britain due to persecution at home, where a bitter family feud rages over a property dispute.

Lee Hsien Yang said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he sought asylum in 2022 “as a last resort” from government attacks against him. “I am a political refugee from Singapore under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention,” Lee, 67, wrote.

“I face a well-founded risk of persecution and cannot safely return to Singapore.” The Lees are the closest thing Singapore has to royalty, and their battle over whether to demolish or preserve the single-storey house has generated headlines and gossip.

Lee Hsien Yang and his sister wanted to demolish the bungalow that hosted the formation of the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has governed Singapore since 1959.

Their older brother, former premier Lee Hsien Loong, wanted to preserve the property, which prompted his siblings to accuse him of trying to exploit their father’s legacy for political gain. After Lee Wei Ling, who was living at the disputed property, died of an illness on Oct 9, Lee Hsien Yang had said he felt unsafe to return to Singapore for her funeral.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...