The five demands of the Hong Kong protesters are intended to "humiliate and bring down" the government, said Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his strongest comments yet on the unrest in Hong Kong.

"No easy way forward"

Speaking on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Meeting of Minds dialogue at the 19th Forbes Global CEO Conference, PM Lee said: "They say they have five major demands, and not one can be compromised."

He added that he does not see "any easy way forward", and that the demands could not resolve the issues in Hong Kong associated with the "one country, two systems" framework.

The five demands of protesters include forming an independent inquiry to look into allegations of police brutality and abuse of power, amnesty for those charged with rioting, not for protesters to be classified as "rioters", and universal suffrage.

One of the demands, the withdrawal of the extradition bill, has already been met.

PM Lee: Protesters don't know what they want beyond five demands

In addition, PM Lee said if the protesters are pressed further on what they want to do next should the five demands be fulfilled, they, or at least the "candid" ones, would say, "Well, I don't know, but anyway, I'm not happy, and I want this to happen."

"That's a most unfortunate state to be in," he added.

PM Lee advises Hong Kong's leaders

While he rejected the five demands raised by protesters as a constructive way forward, PM Lee offered his advice on how to alleviate the chaotic situation in Hong Kong, which he says has "issues of governance".

He said steps should be taken to "progressively tackle the issues which are bugging Hongkongers", even if they will not "overcome all of the problems at once".

On "one country, two systems"

On the "one country, two systems" framework, quoting a Hongkonger he knew who put it "neatly", PM Lee said from China's point of view, they must not only think of "one country", but remember there is "two systems".

On the other hand, from Hong Kong's point of view, they must not only think of "two systems", but remember that this is "one country".

Upon finishing his statement, the audience then applauded PM Lee.

"And that calls for wisdom and restraint from both sides," he added.

Disagreed with protesters' demand for "universal suffrage" as Hong Kong is not a country

PM Lee also disagreed with one of the demands that the demonstrators are asking for, which is "universal suffrage" through political reform, saying "Hong Kong is not a country".

He continued saying that the city is "a Special Administrative Region (SAR), and it has to live and work within that SAR framework, which is the basic law".

But he said "one country, two systems" can be made to work, even if it is not easy.

He added that "if it's not made to work", then it is difficult to imagine that the arrangement can continue for "another 22 years until 2047".

PM Lee: Housing problem requires political courage and bold decisions to be made

PM Lee touched on the housing problem in Hong Kong as well, saying "young people can't afford it", adding that a flat costs "22 years worth of income", and rent is expensive.

"And so people feel 'What am I slogging for? Where's the future? Where's the pot of gold?'"

PM Lee said there are solutions to the housing crisis, but they are "radical", takes "political courage", and require Hong Kong's leaders to "make changes which will have very significant social and economic consequences".

He added that the SAR government has gone for "conservative approaches" so far, and the problem has not been "significantly improved".

Saying that these issues take time to make progress, he said it is "necessary for temperatures to come down", so people can "work together".

While protesters have not included livelihood issues such as housing in their five demands, Hong Kong's housing crisis has come up frequently in discussions that involve the worst political crisis the government has seen since the 1997 handover.

Singapore thrives when region is stable

Nevertheless, PM Lee reiterated Singapore's oft-repeated stance, that Singapore thrives best when the region is stable, when other countries are prospering, and when the country can do business with them.

He added that Singapore is looking at the situation in Hong Kong with concern, and hopes that the city will be able to overcome their problems.

You can listen to PM Lee's thoughts on Hong Kong here:

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Top image via Prime Minister's Office