The son of the founder of modern Singapore has been granted asylum in the United Kingdom, citing persecution amid a prominent family dispute.
Lee Hsien Yang has consistently claimed that he experiences oppression in Singapore, a country previously governed for two decades by his brother, Lee Hsien Loong.
The government has refuted these allegations, asserting that he is at liberty to come back.
The two individuals are the offspring of the esteemed leader Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away in 2015.
The brothers have been embroiled in a protracted dispute over their father’s house, which has escalated into a contentious public family feud.
Lee Hsien Yang presented the BBC with documents, including a letter confirming the success of his asylum claim. The correspondence indicated that the UK government had granted him “refugee status” for five years, acknowledging his “well-founded fear of persecution,” which prevented his return to Singapore.
Mr. Lee, a resident of London, reported that his wife has also received asylum status.
A representative from the Home Office stated that it is a “longstanding government policy not to comment on individual cases.”
The BBC has verified Mr. Lee’s asylum status through independent sources. His additional assertions align with the Home Office’s asylum policies.
Mr. Lee stated, “All statements made by the Singapore government are entirely public and must have been considered in the decision to grant refugee status.”
“I pursued asylum protection as a final option.” The individual expresses a steadfast commitment to their Singaporean citizenship while also conveying a desire for a future when it may be safe to return to their homeland.
Mr. Lee, who was recognized as a prominent figure in Singapore’s elite circles and the former head of the nation’s largest telecommunications firm, played a significant role in the country’s establishment until a rift with his brother altered his standing.
He has since aligned himself with an opposition political party and emerged as a prominent critic of the Singapore government, a position he intends to maintain while residing in the UK, he stated.
Lee Hsien Yang, his wife, and one of their sons have spent several years living abroad in what can be described as self-imposed exile. The government has initiated investigations and legal actions against them, which they claim is indicative of a broader pattern of persecution.
Mr. Lee, alongside his late sister, Lee Wei Ling, has consistently alleged that their brother, Lee Hsien Loong, is leveraging their father’s legacy to establish a political dynasty.
Allegations have emerged that their brother misused his authority during his tenure as prime minister, and there are claims that he is now leveraging the “organs of the state” against them.
Earlier this year, Lee Hsien Loong officially stepped down from his role as Prime Minister, though he continues to serve in the cabinet as a senior minister. The individual and the Singapore government have firmly rejected these allegations.
On Tuesday, the government issued a statement asserting that claims regarding Lee Hsien Yang and his family being victims of persecution are “without basis.” It emphasized that they are under “no legal restraints.”
The statement emphasized, “They are and have always been free to return to Singapore.”
The press secretary for Lee Hsien Loong stated that he would not be providing any comments on the matter.
The prolonged conflict involving the Lee family regarding their ancestral home traces its origins to the passing of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s inaugural prime minister, who is often regarded as the mastermind behind the nation’s contemporary development.
The focus is on 38 Oxley Road, an unassuming residence located on a tranquil street in downtown Singapore. It is estimated to be worth tens of millions of Singapore dollars.
The statesman, known for his strong opposition to the notion of a personality cult, explicitly expressed in his will a desire for his residence to be demolished either following his death or upon his daughter’s departure from the property.
At the time, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the house would be preserved for the foreseeable future. In contrast, his siblings argued for its immediate demolition, citing their father’s wishes.
In the wake of his sister’s passing earlier this month due to a brain disease, Lee Hsien Yang has applied for the demolition of the family home. He plans to replace it with a “small private dwelling” that would remain under the ownership of the Lee family.
