PM Lee Hsien Loong said in parliament today that is he is “really not sure” why his siblings Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling are picking a fight with him.
He was referring to the Lee Family Feud which erupted in a public war of words between the Lees, in which some Cabinet ministers fervently added their two cents worth.
PM Lee said that perhaps it is down to a matter of perspective rather than anything of “substance”:
Dr Lee’ Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yang believe Lee Kuan Yew “absolutely wanted to demolish the house, with no compromise.”
PM Lee believes that while Mr Lee Kuan Yew wanted the house to be demolished, he was prepared to consider alternatives should the Government decide otherwise.
With regards to his siblings public accusations of abuse of power and nepotism, PM Lee said that he would have sued them, but refrained from doing so because such a move would tarnish the family name.
This, despite him believing that he has a “strong case”.
“In normal circumstances, in fact, in any other imaginable circumstance but this, I would have sued immediately.”
“The accusation of the abuse of power is a very grave one, however baseless it may be. And it is in fact an attack not just on me, but on the integrity of the whole Government.”
“But suing my own brother and sister in court would further besmirch our parents’ names… At the end of the day, we are brother and sister, and we are all our parents’ children.”
“It would also drag out the process for years, and cause more distraction and distress to Singaporeans. Therefore, fighting this out in court cannot be my preferred choice.”
“Every family will understand that family disputes do happen, but they are not something to flaunt in public. That is why I have done my best to deal with this out of the public eye.”
