The ongoing saga centred on the late Lee Kuan Yew's house at 38 Oxley Road saw Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong addressing Parliament and the nation yesterday (July 3), with a ministerial statement regarding allegations made against him by his siblings.

Following the ministerial statement, Members of Parliament (MPs) were allowed to speak and ask questions on the issue with the Party Whip lifted for those in the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

Addressing concerns among some Singaporeans on the appropriateness of Parliament as a platform to air the issue, some MPs, such as the opposition Workers' Party MP Low Thia Khiang, thought that the issue on the fate of the Oxley Road house should have remained as a private family affair.

However, several MPs pointed out that Parliament was indeed the proper setting because Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling had made allegations regarding the abuse of power by the government, which had to be addressed.

After all that has been said on the Oxley Road saga in Parliament so far, it is worth noting that the ongoing Parliament session is not the first time that Parliament has addressed what might seem like a private family situation, but with implications on the government's integrity.

In 1996, rumours were rife that then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) and then-DPM Lee Hsien Loong (LHL) had bought apartments in prime locations and were offered substantial discounts by local developer Hotel Properties Ltd (HPL).

The condominiums were Nassim Jade and Scotts 28.

Among the rumours were allegations that LKY and LHL had used their positions to gain an unfair advantage in the purchase of the properties. There were also concerns that HPL had violated Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES) regulations in handling the sale of Nassim Jade units.

According to information provided by HPL, six buyers received 7% discounts for Nassim Jade but only LHL was given a 12% discount.

Both LKY and LHL made Ministerial Statements in Parliament to address these concerns

As the issue involved allegations on the abuse of LKY and LHL's Cabinet positions to gain an unfair advantage in the purchase of the properties, Parliament was selected as the platform to air the issue.

In a sitting on May 21, 1996, LKY and LHL addressed Parliament and the nation on their purchase of Nassim Jade and Scotts 28.

In his statement, LHL denied asking nor receiving favours from the developer in the purchase of the properties. He also gave the detailed background and circumstances of the condominium purchases to dispel any doubts.

He pointed out that discounts were a normal part of business transactions. He also acknowledged that discounts could go two ways - it could be given legitimately through above-board business considerations, or for favours.

However, he denied asking for and being aware of any discount during the purchase, and stated that he did not know how much HPL was charging other buyers. There was no negotiation carried out on the purchase price of the properties, and LHL and his wife had assumed that the "prices offered would be what was offered to the other buyers".

Additionally, he also said that: "The high prices I was paying gave me no reason to believe that HPL was offering me special terms."

LKY who also spoke in the same session, said:

"At no stage did my wife or I think or feel we were doing anything irregular or improper. They were open and above board transactions. Caveats were openly lodged by our solicitors in our names in the Land Registry to give notice to everyone, unlike some buyers who have not lodged caveats and so their identities are no known."

In concluding his ministerial statement on the property purchases, LHL highlighted the reason why there was a need for himself to explain and clarify the issue in Parliament:

"I have recounted how I bought the units at Nassim Jade and Scotts 28. I have also told Members about the other properties, which I had previously bought, so that you will know the background and circumstances of the purchases at Nassim Jade and Scotts 28. These are really private matters which I am under no obligation to disclose publicly. But I have explained them to dispel any lingering mystery or doubt over my purchases at Nassim Jade and Scotts 28.

The high standard of honesty and integrity which the PAP has established is one of Singapore's most precious assets. It is a system which I grew up with, and which I value. As a Cabinet Minister, I am all the more conscious of my duty to uphold these standards, and to set the tone by example, for what constitutes proper conduct on the part of political leaders and public officers. My moral authority depends on this.

I am therefore grateful for this opportunity to explain the facts of my two property purchases last year, and to answer Members' questions on this matter."

In addition to the addressing of the issue in Parliament the government under the charge of then PM Goh Chok Tong carried out investigations into the issue. It was later announced that no improprieties regarding LKY and LHL's condominium purchases were found.

Parliament continues to debate the Oxley Road saga today (July 4).

Top image from Property Guru.

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