Lee sibling 'granted asylum in Britain'

Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest son of the late founder of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, said yesterday he is now a political refugee, in the latest twist in a high-profile feud in the city-state's most famous family.

Lee and his sister Wei Ling, who died on October 9, have for years been estranged from elder brother Hsien Loong, who was prime minister for two decades until May, over what to do with their father's home after his death in 2015.

The frayed relationship has seen the younger Lee, 67, aligning himself with an opposition party during the 2020 election.

Lee said yesterday Britain has determined he faces "a well-founded risk of persecution, and cannot safely return to Singapore.

"I sought asylum protection as a last resort. I remain a citizen and hope that some day it will become safe to return home," he said, adding the request was granted in August. Singapore said the persecution claim was baseless.

Lee, in a post, said he had sought asylum protection in 2022, citing government "attacks" and persecution against him and his family, and that he was unable to return for his sister's funeral as a result.

He had said last week that he would apply to demolish the home in line with his father's wishes.

Lee Hsien Loong, who remains in the cabinet as senior minister, said it should be up to the government to decide what to do with it, including potentially retaining it as a heritage landmark.

REUTERS