Singapore PM sorry over sibling dispute
SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has apologised for the dispute between him and his siblings which centred mostly on their late father Lee Kuan Yew’s home located at 38, Oxley Road.
“I deeply regret that this dispute has affected Singapore’s reputation and Singaporeans’ confidence in the government,” he said in a 3-minute video clip on his Facebook page yesterday.
Over the last week, Lee said Singaporeans had been disturbed and confused by news of the private dispute between his siblings and him.
“As your prime minister, I apologise to you for this. And as the eldest of the siblings, it grieves me to think of the anguish that this would have caused our parents if they were still alive,” he said.
“My father left the property at 38 Oxley Road to me as part of my equal share of his estate, but my siblings were not happy about this. I tried to deal with their unhappiness privately. I offered to transfer 38 Oxley Road to my sister for a nominal S$1 (RM3). Unfortunately that offer failed. I then sold the house to my brother at a fair market valuation, and donated all my proceeds to charity.
“I had hoped that this would satisfy them. There should be no reason for any further quarrel since I no longer own the house and I do not take part in any government decisions on the house. However, my siblings have decided to go out and make serious allegations publicly.
“For example, they say that I am using my position as prime minister to influence the Ministerial Committee chaired by DPM (Deputy Prime Minister) Teo Chee Hean.
“These allegations go beyond private and personal matters, and extend to the conduct of my office and the integrity of the government,” he said.
Much as he would like to move on, and end a most unhappy experience for Singaporeans, these baseless accusations against the government could not be left unanswered, said Lee.
“They must be and will be dealt with openly and refuted.”
Lee noted that when Parliament sits on July 3, he will make a Ministerial Statement to refute the charges. Bernama