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Lee Hsien Yang says he sought political asylum in UK in 2022 & he's a ‘political refugee from S’pore’
He claimed that he faces a "risk of persecution" that prevented him from returning to Singapore.
October 22, 2024, 01:29 PM
Lee Hsien Yang has sought asylum in the UK, saying he is a "political refugee from Singapore".
He revealed this in a Facebook post on Oct. 22, saying he sought asylum protection in 2022.
Lee also cited "attacks" against him by the Singapore government including disciplinary proceedings against his wife Lee Suet Fern, and referred to a police investigation.
"On the basis of these facts, the UK has determined that I face a well-founded risk of persecution, and cannot safely return to Singapore," said Lee in his post.
He said he was unable to return to Singapore for the funeral of his late sister Lee Wei Ling "because of that risk".
Lee had previously said he would not return to Singapore for the wake and funeral, prompting a response from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) that there was no legal restraint to Lee and his wife returning to Singapore.
The police said: "They are and always have been free to return to Singapore."
Background
In 2023, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean revealed that SPF was investigating Lee and his wife for potential offences of giving false evidence in judicial proceedings over Lee Kuan Yew's will.
The investigations came after a Disciplinary Tribunal found that the couple had lied under oath, calling Lee Suet Fern a "deceitful witness" and saying her husband had been "equally deceitful".
The tribunal looked into Lee Suet Fern's handling of the last will of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, father of her husband Lee Hsien Yang and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The police had requested an interview with the couple as part of their investigations.
It was revealed that the Lees confirmed to the police that they would be available for an interview on Jul. 13, 2022. As such, they were not given a written order by the police.
However, on Jul. 13 itself, they sent an email to the police to say that they would not attend the interview, and did not turn up.
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Top photos via Lim Wei Xiang and from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
