In his closing speech on Jul 4 at the Parliament debate over the controversy surrounding the fate of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's (LKY) house at 38 Oxley Road, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Teo Chee Hean repeated his advice he gave the feuding Lee family siblings more than two years ago: "Let time pass".

He had met them in the weeks after LKY passed away and spoke to them during an emotional period for the immediate members of the family, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Hsien Yang (LHY) and Lee Wei Ling (LWL).

He asked Singaporeans to give the Lee family space to reconcile.

"I hope that with the passage of time, and the cooling of emotions that the siblings can resolve their private disagreements within the family. Singaporeans too, can give the space to Prime Minister Lee and his siblings to work through their disagreements."

Adding a personal note in his speech, he spoke about his relationship with the three siblings, especially PM Lee and LHY, whom he had known for over 40 years during their time in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

On PM Lee:

The Hsien Loong I see now is the same Hsien Loong I have known all these years -- an upright person who stands by his principles, and does what is right.

As Ms Sun Xueling, Er. Dr Lee Bee Wah have mentioned, and many Singaporeans know, Hsien Loong has done much for Singapore, and he has much more to contribute serving Singapore and Singaporeans as our Prime Minister. I hope that he will contribute his knowledge and experience to Singapore for a long time to come.

On LHY:

Hsien Yang too has contributed much. In the Singapore Armed Forces, and in the private and public sector. We have met six times shortly after his father passed away. We spoke to each other with consideration and respect as we always have.

It is with deep sadness that the Hsien Yang I see now is not the Hsien Yang I knew. I see hurt and his strong emotions consuming him. I do not understand what underlying deep-rooted reasons there may be for this.

For Hsien Yang, I hope that the pain and emotions that I see now in his heart will dampen over time, and that he will find peace and solace within himself. He has more to contribute to Singapore if he chooses to. I wish Hsien Yang and his family well, as I always have.

On LWL:

I have known Wei Ling for many years too, though not as well. She must have been going through a difficult time over the past few years, living with her parents and looking after them while they were unwell. And losing both of them, while stoicly facing her own health challenges.

For Wei Ling, the Government has said that we will not do anything to affect her right to continue living at No. 38 Oxley Rd. I wish her happiness, time to do the things which she enjoys with her friends, and above all, good health and a long life.

Top photo from file