Differences Surface

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Differences Surface Differences surface A family feud over the fate of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s house at 38, Oxley Road spilt into the public sphere in June, two years after Mr Lee’s death. Two of his children, Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, accused their brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, of misusing his power and not honouring their late father’s wish to demolish the family home. Timeline JUNE 14 JUNE 19 which he said “the Singapore Dr Lee and Mr Lee Hsien Yang post a PM Lee issues a statement and a video Government is very litigious and has a statement on Facebook saying they apologising to Singaporeans for the pliant court system”. have lost condence in PM Lee and harm caused by the protracted and that they fear the use of organs of publicly aired dispute with his siblings. AUG 4 state against them. They also accuse AGC says it led application to begin him and his wife Ho Ching of wanting to JULY 3 - 4 contempt of court proceedings against make use of the late Mr Lee’s legacy to Parliament debates the allegations Mr Li for his comments on the further their political ambitions for their over the abuse of power. Over two days, Singapore judiciary. son Li Hongyi. PM Lee denies their 36 ministers and MPs speak, with the accusations. People’s Action Party lifting its Whip. OCT 17 PM Lee says his siblings’ “allegations AGC serves court papers on Mr Li at JUNE 15 - 16 have been aired, have been answered Harvard University in the United States. PM Lee issues a summary of statutory and rebutted”. He also says he hopes Its case is that while Mr Li may have declarations he made to a ministerial to reconcile with his siblings one day. put his Facebook privacy setting as committee set up to consider options “friends only” when he published the for the Oxley Road house. Mr Lee Hsien JULY 6 Facebook post, this does not entitle him Yang says there are contradictions Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee issue to claim privacy. between what PM said publicly and a statement summarising their case, what he said to the committee. One and also apologising to Singaporeans OCT 20 point of contention is the role Mr Lee saying they have “made a lot of PM Lee says he is unsure if dispute with Hsien Yang’s wife, Mrs Lee Suet Fern, mistakes along the way”. PM Lee siblings has been resolved. played in drafting the late Mr Lee’s shares their desire to take dispute last will. private. DEC 4 Mr Li’s lawyers say they will apply to set JUNE 17 JULY 17 aside the court order allowing the AGC Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to serve papers on him in the United reveals details of the ministerial says it is looking into a July 15 States. The next pre-trial conference is committee. Facebook post by Mr Li Shengwu, in expected to take place on Jan 4. Key players Founding Prime Minister Prime Minister Dr Lee Wei Ling Mr Lee Hsien Yang Lee Kuan Yew Lee Hsien Loong daughter, senior younger son, chairman (1923 - 2015) elder son adviser at the National of the Civil Aviation Neuroscience Institute Authority of Singapore Ms Ho Ching Mrs Lee Suet Fern Mr Li Shengwu Mr Li Hongyi PM Lee’s wife, Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s wife, Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s PM Lee's second son, chief executive of partner at law rm eldest son, deputy director at the Singapore investment Morgan Lewis junior fellow at Government Technology rm Temasek Holdings Harvard University Agency of Singapore STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS.
Recommended publications
  • Report of the Ministerial Committee on 38 Oxley Road
    REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON 38 OXLEY ROAD TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Background Chapter 2: Historical and heritage significance Chapter 3: Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s thinking and wishes on the property Chapter 4: Possible options for the property Chapter 5: Committee’s views 2 CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND 1. Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s former home at 38 Oxley Road (henceforth referred to as the “Property”) is a single-storey bungalow surrounded by low-rise residential developments. 2. The issue of whether to preserve Mr Lee’s home after his passing, to demolish it, or some other option has become a matter of public interest. Shortly after Mr Lee’s passing on 23 March 2015, PM Lee Hsien Loong addressed this issue in Parliament on 13 April 2015, where he said that “there is no immediate issue of demolition of the house, and no need for the Government to make any decision now”, given that Dr Lee Wei Ling “intended to continue living in the Property”. He also stated that “if and when Dr Lee Wei Ling no longer lives in the House, Mr Lee has stated his wishes as to what then should be done…however, it will be up to the Government of the day to consider the matter”. 3. Though there is no immediate need for a decision, given the significant public interest in the Property, the Cabinet 1 approved setting up a Ministerial Committee (“Committee”) on 1 June 2016 to consider the various options. The Committee was asked to prepare drawer plans of various options and their implications, with the benefit of views of those who had directly discussed the matter with Mr Lee, so that a future Government can refer to these plans and make a considered and informed decision when the time came to decide on the matter.
    [Show full text]
  • Transparency and Authoritarian Rule in Southeast Asia
    TRANSPARENCY AND AUTHORITARIAN RULE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA The 1997–98 Asian economic crisis raised serious questions for the remaining authoritarian regimes in Southeast Asia, not least the hitherto outstanding economic success stories of Singapore and Malaysia. Could leaders presiding over economies so heavily dependent on international capital investment ignore the new mantra among multilateral financial institutions about the virtues of ‘transparency’? Was it really a universal functional requirement for economic recovery and advancement? Wasn’t the free flow of ideas and information an anathema to authoritarian rule? In Transparency and Authoritarian Rule in Southeast Asia Garry Rodan rejects the notion that the economic crisis was further evidence that ulti- mately capitalism can only develop within liberal social and political insti- tutions, and that new technology necessarily undermines authoritarian control. Instead, he argues that in Singapore and Malaysia external pres- sures for transparency reform were, and are, in many respects, being met without serious compromise to authoritarian rule or the sanctioning of media freedom. This book analyses the different content, sources and significance of varying pressures for transparency reform, ranging from corporate dis- closures to media liberalisation. It will be of equal interest to media analysts and readers keen to understand the implications of good governance debates and reforms for democratisation. For Asianists this book offers sharp insights into the process of change – political, social and economic – since the Asian crisis. Garry Rodan is Director of the Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University, Australia. ROUTLEDGECURZON/CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES Edited by Kevin Hewison and Vivienne Wee 1 LABOUR, POLITICS AND THE STATE IN INDUSTRIALIZING THAILAND Andrew Brown 2 ASIAN REGIONAL GOVERNANCE: CRISIS AND CHANGE Edited by Kanishka Jayasuriya 3 REORGANISING POWER IN INDONESIA The politics of oligarchy in an age of markets Richard Robison and Vedi R.
    [Show full text]
  • Names of Chinese People in Singapore
    101 Lodz Papers in Pragmatics 7.1 (2011): 101-133 DOI: 10.2478/v10016-011-0005-6 Lee Cher Leng Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore ETHNOGRAPHY OF SINGAPORE CHINESE NAMES: RACE, RELIGION, AND REPRESENTATION Abstract Singapore Chinese is part of the Chinese Diaspora.This research shows how Singapore Chinese names reflect the Chinese naming tradition of surnames and generation names, as well as Straits Chinese influence. The names also reflect the beliefs and religion of Singapore Chinese. More significantly, a change of identity and representation is reflected in the names of earlier settlers and Singapore Chinese today. This paper aims to show the general naming traditions of Chinese in Singapore as well as a change in ideology and trends due to globalization. Keywords Singapore, Chinese, names, identity, beliefs, globalization. 1. Introduction When parents choose a name for a child, the name necessarily reflects their thoughts and aspirations with regards to the child. These thoughts and aspirations are shaped by the historical, social, cultural or spiritual setting of the time and place they are living in whether or not they are aware of them. Thus, the study of names is an important window through which one could view how these parents prefer their children to be perceived by society at large, according to the identities, roles, values, hierarchies or expectations constructed within a social space. Goodenough explains this culturally driven context of names and naming practices: Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore The Shaw Foundation Building, Block AS7, Level 5 5 Arts Link, Singapore 117570 e-mail: [email protected] 102 Lee Cher Leng Ethnography of Singapore Chinese Names: Race, Religion, and Representation Different naming and address customs necessarily select different things about the self for communication and consequent emphasis.
    [Show full text]
  • Tools of Survival: Sovereign Wealth Funds in Singapore and China
    Geopolitics, 14:328–344, 2009 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1465-0045 print / 1557-3028 online DOI: 10.1080/14650040902827799 FGEO1465-00451557-3028Geopolitics,Geopolitics Vol. 14, No. 2, Mar 2009: pp. 0–0 Tools of Survival: Sovereign Wealth Funds in Singapore and China SovereignVictor Shih Wealth Funds in Singapore and China VICTOR SHIH Department of Political Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA The rise of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) as major investors in the global economy has raised worries that they serve the geopolitical ends of owner countries. However, given the paramount impor- tance of surviving domestic political competitions, SWFs are likely also tools of domestic political survival. In examining the corpo- rate governance and underlying political environment in which SWFs in Singapore and in China operate, this paper further exam- ines the role of political unity in directing SWF behaviour in authoritarian regimes. The main finding is that a highly unified autocracy is more likely to direct SWFs to maximise long-term profit, while a fragmented one like China is more likely to treat its SWF as an arena for domestic political and bureaucratic infight- ing. SWFs operating in a fragmented regime are unlikely to make long-term profit and foreign policy objectives top priorities, and their behaviour can be highly unpredictable. The existing discussion on sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) focuses on their potential to become geopolitical tools of owner countries. How- ever, state leaders in a wide variety of political systems confront the problem of domestic political survival on a daily basis. Thus, to the extent that political considerations drive the behaviour of SWFs, domes- tic political concerns may be a stronger political driver than foreign pol- icy concerns.
    [Show full text]
  • Download This Case As A
    CSJ‐ 08 ‐ 0006.0 Settle or fight? Far Eastern Economic Review and Singapore In the summer of 2006, Hugo Restall—editor-in-chief of the monthly Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER)--published an article about a marginalized member of the political opposition in Singapore. The piece asserted that the Singapore government had a remarkable record of winning libel suits, which suggested a deliberate effort to neutralize opponents and subdue the press. Restall hypothesized that instances of corruption were going unreported because the incentive to investigate them was outweighed by the threat of an unwinnable libel suit. Singapore’s ruling family reacted swiftly. Lawyers for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore, asserted that the article amounted to an accusation against their clients of personal incompetence and corruption. In a series of letters, the Lees’ counsel demanded a printed apology, removal of the offending article from FEER’s website, and compensation for damages. The magazine maintained that Restall’s piece was not libelous; nonetheless, it offered to take mitigating action short of the three demands. But the Lees remained adamant. Then, in a move whose timing defied coincidence, the government Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts informed FEER that henceforth it would be subject to new, and onerous, regulations. These actions were not without precedent. Singapore was an authoritarian, if prosperous, country. The Lee family--which claimed that the country’s ruling precepts were rooted in Confucianism, a philosophy that vested power in an enlightened ruler—tolerated no criticism. The Lees had been in charge for decades.
    [Show full text]
  • Class and Politics in Malaysian and Singaporean Nation Building
    CLASS AND POLITICS IN MALAYSIAN AND SINGAPOREAN NATION BUILDING Muhamad Nadzri Mohamed Noor, M.A. Political Science College of Business, Government and Law Flinders University Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 2017 Page Left Deliberately Blank. Abstract This study endeavours to deliver an alternative account of the study of nation-building by examining the subject matter eclectically from diverse standpoints, predominantly that of class in Southeast Asia which is profoundly dominated by ‘cultural’ perspectives. Two states in the region, Malaysia and Singapore, have been selected to comprehend and appreciate the nature of nation-building in these territories. The nation-building processes in both of the countries have not only revolved around the national question pertaining to the dynamic relations between the states and the cultural contents of the racial or ethnic communities in Malaysia and Singapore; it is also surrounded, as this thesis contends, by the question of class - particularly the relations between the new capitalist states’ elites (the rulers) and their masses (the ruled). More distinctively this thesis perceives nation-building as a project by political elites for a variety of purposes, including elite entrenchment, class (re)production and regime perpetuation. The project has more to do with ‘class-(re)building’ and ‘subject- building’ rather than ‘nation-building’. Although this thesis does not eliminate the significance of culture in the nation-building process in both countries; it is explicated that cultures were and are heavily employed to suit the ruling class’s purpose. Hence, the cultural dimension shall be used eclectically with other perspectives.
    [Show full text]
  • Remarks by Esm Goh Chok Tong Parliamentary Debate on Pm’S Statement on Allegation of Abuse of Power – 4 July 2017
    REMARKS BY ESM GOH CHOK TONG PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON PM’S STATEMENT ON ALLEGATION OF ABUSE OF POWER – 4 JULY 2017 Mdm Speaker, 1. This sad public squabble between the Lee siblings is blown out of proportion. But it has embroiled all of us. It has tarnished the reputation of Singapore and distracted the Government from far more important work. 2. Because the allegations against PM have been made by members of the Lee family, they are given weight. The public is confused and concerned, even as Singaporeans continue to trust the PM and the Government. There is thus urgency to explain, restore trust and get back on track. It is our duty and responsibility to do this, to account to our voters. 3. My main concern is neither the fate of 38 Oxley Road nor the family feud. They are far removed from the daily concerns of Singaporeans. It is the wilful attack on the integrity of our leaders and the insidious corrosion of public faith in our institutions that I want to address. The nub of the issue for us in Parliament is integrity and trust – in the Prime Minister and our system of government. Absent these, Singapore will descend to a Third World country. 4. Incorruptibility of our Government is what distinguishes Singapore. The Prime Minister is central in upholding that incorruptibility. He holds the key levers of state power, entrusted by the people. When trust in the Prime Minister disappears, his moral authority and political capital shrivel. 1 Therefore, the constant self-policing, restraint and care of the Prime Minister in wielding the immense power at his disposal, is paramount.
    [Show full text]
  • Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore August 2, 20
    Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore August 2, 2016 President Obama. Good evening, everybody. Nearly 50 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson welcomed to the White House the first Prime Minister of a newly independent Singapore, a man he hailed as "a patriot, a brilliant political leader, and a statesman of the New Asia," Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. A half century later, Michelle and I are honored to welcome his son: a patriot, a brilliant political leader, and a statesman of a rising, thriving Asia-Pacific. Prime Minister Lee and Mrs. Lee, welcome. Now, we all know how seriously Singaporeans take their food. [Laughter] In Singapore, even the street vendors—the hawker stalls—earn Michelin stars—[laughter]—which creates some pressure this evening. We have a lot to live up to. We were tempted to offer each of you a "Singapore Sling" or some chili crab. However, for those of you who know its unmistakable scent, which never seems to go away, you'll understand why we are not serving a fruit known as durian here in the White House. [Laughter] With this visit we're celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between our two nations. Yet even as we mark this anniversary of our formal ties, we honor bonds that stretch back at least 180 years, when Singapore was still a colony and the United States was not far removed from being one ourselves. The first American representative to Singapore was a planter named Joseph Balestier, whose name lives on in one of Singapore's neighborhoods.
    [Show full text]
  • Corporatisation of Changi Airport and Restructuring of Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (Caas) ­ Corporatisation Model Announced ­
    CORPORATISATION OF CHANGI AIRPORT AND RESTRUCTURING OF CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE (CAAS) ­ CORPORATISATION MODEL ANNOUNCED ­ The corporatisation of Changi Airport and restructuring of the existing Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will move into the next phase after a year of extensive review and preparations which included study trips to airports and government regulators in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America and Asia, consultations with CAAS employees and stakeholders in the aviation industry and an extensive review of CAAS’ existing functions. 2 Details of the corporatisation model were announced by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) today. The corporatisation process comprised three main areas of focus. These are: role allocation of the non­regulatory functions of CAAS under a new airport company which will undertake the operational functions of managing Changi Airport, running its emergency services and operations and investments in foreign airports. Strategic and regulatory functions such as air traffic services, air services negotiations, safety, service and economic regulation will be retained under the restructured Statutory Board. Corporatisation also requires the establishment of a new regulatory framework for competitive aeronautical pricing, service excellence and timely and adequate investments in capacity. Processes have been worked out to ensure successful transition management of human resources and operational continuity of Changi. 3 The new civil aviation authority will be led by Mr Lee Hsien Yang as Chairman and BG(NS) Yap Ong Heng as Director­General while the new airport company will be led by Mr Liew Mun Leong as Chairman and Mr Lee Seow Hiang as CEO1 when the entities come into legal existence on 1 Jul 09.
    [Show full text]
  • Life with the Lees: How an Ex-Nanny Spent 40 Years with Lee Kuan Yew's Family
    Life With The Lees: How An Ex-Nanny Spent 40 Years With Lee Kuan Yew’s Family Ouyang Huanyan looked after Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s household from the 1940s While news of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s passing was spreading like wildfire on the Internet in Singapore, all was peaceful at Shun De Foshan, China. A 98-year-old lady, Mdm Ouyang Huan Yan, who was Mr. Lee’s former nanny, was oblivious to his demise until she was contacted by a reporter for an interview. Upon hearing the news, she said her heart felt heavy and that she hoped PM Lee Hsien Loong and Lee Hsien Yang would take care of their health and not be too grieved. The journey: from China to Singapore Source Ouyang was an 18-year-old when she left her home in Xixi village, Guangdong province in 1934 with her sisters and aunts. They were known as ma jie , amah or zi shu nu – women who took celibacy vows to better serve their masters. She first worked for Tan Kah Kee, a Chinese businessman and philanthropist, for nine years, before working for the Lees as Mr. Lee’s mother, Chua Jim Neo, took a fancy to her. The two families were neighbours then, with Ouyang frequenting the Lee’s since her friend was a domestic helper in the Lee’s. 1 Working for the Lees Source Mr. Lee was still studying at Cambridge then, returning only a year after she started working for the family. Soon after, she witnessed the wedding of Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • KEEPING the FLAME ALIVE House Early Yesterday Afternoon Amid a Torrential Downpour
    SIN CE 1845 28 G MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 MONDAY MARCH 30, 2015 1923 - 2015 Goodbye, Mr Lee Thank you, Mr Lee 1923 - 2015 COVER PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN. The state funeral procession leaving Parliament KEEPING THE FLAME ALIVE House early yesterday afternoon amid a torrential downpour. More than 100,000 “The light that has guided us all these years has been extinguished. people lined the 15.4km route of Singapore’s founding father and first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s journey to the University Cultural Centre for the state funeral service. We have lost our founding father Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who lived and breathed Singapore all his life. He and his team led our pioneer generation to create this island nation, Singapore... We have all lost a father. We grieve as one people, one nation. But in our grief, we’ve displayed the best of REPORTS & PICTURES: PAGES 2-28 Singapore. Ordinary people going to great lengths to distribute refreshments and umbrellas to the crowd and help one another in the queue late into the night. Citizen soldiers, Home Team officers, cleaners, all working tirelessly round the clock. Our shared sorrow has brought us together and made us stronger and more resolute. 86 PAGES IN FIVE PARTS TO SUBSCRIBE: 6388-3838 We come together not only to mourn, we come together also to rejoice in Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s long and full life www.sphsubscription.com.sg and what he has achieved with us, his people in Singapore. We come together to pledge ourselves to continue 90 cents building this exceptional country.
    [Show full text]
  • Lee Kuan Yew
    SIN CE 1845 MARCH 23, 2015 í SPECIAL EDITION LEE KUAN YEW Sept 16, 1923 - March 23, 2015 90 cents A Singapore Press Holdings publication MCI (P) 032/02/2015 # 1923: Born on Sept 16 to Shell Oil Company depot PMO STATEMENT manager Lee Chin Koon and Chua Jim Neo in his family’s THE Prime Minister is deeply two-storey grieved to announce the bungalow at passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, 92, Kampong Java ‘Never fear!’ the founding Prime Minister of Road. Singapore. Mr Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore 1935: Came in first in Telok Kurau Mr Lee overcame daunting challenges General Hospital today at English School in an islandwide Seven-day mourning 3.18am. He was 91. exam and won a place in Raffles and delivered on his promise Arrangements for the public Institution, where he met future wife of a better life for Singaporeans PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Sunday at the National to pay respects and for the Kwa Geok Choo in 1939. Loong has declared a University of Singapore’s funeral proceedings will be He previously attended two seven-day period of national University Cultural Centre. announced later. Chinese-medium schools. By WARREN FERNANDEZ it on Aug 9, 1965. mourning for Singapore’s The service will be attended EDITOR He famously wept on TV an- founding Prime Minister Lee by the late Mr Lee’s family, 1940: Topped the Senior Cambridge nouncing the “moment of an- Kuan Yew, who died early this friends and staff; President CABINET STATEMENT exams in Singapore and Malaya, and SINGAPORE’S founding father, guish”, when Singapore was “sev- morning at age 91.
    [Show full text]