Latest news with #LeeHsienYang
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: USS Halloween Horror Nights 2025 — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. USS Halloween Horror Nights 2025: Haunted houses inspired by Stranger Things, Thai film series Death Whisperer October is just around the corner, which means one thing — spooky season is upon us. Ahead of the occasion, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) announced in a press release on Thursday (Aug 14) that Halloween Horror Nights 13 at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) will be held from Sept 26 to Nov 1... » READ MORE 2. Compensation, rehousing options crucial to flat owners from older estates selling their flats under Vers The size of the compensation package and rehousing options will weigh heavily in their decision to sell their HDB flats back to the Government under the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (Vers), elderly residents living in older estates have said... » READ MORE 3. 'Principled, steadfast, indomitable': Lee Hsien Yang bids farewell to sister, scatters ashes in Scotland sea Dr Lee Wei Ling, the daughter of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, has a wish fulfilled nearly a year after her death. In a Facebook post on Thursday (Aug 14), Lee Hsien Yang said that he took his sister "on one last boat ride" from Edinburgh, Scotland to scatter her ashes out at sea.... » READ MORE 4. AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport, passengers say crew 'appeared just as confused' Passengers and crew members were stunned when their flight bound for Seoul touched down at Gimpo International Airport instead of Incheon International Airport as planned... » READ MORE editor@
Online Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Lee Hsien Yang fulfils sister Lee Wei Ling's final wish with sea burial in Edinburgh
On 14 August 2025, Lee Hsien Yang shared that he had fulfilled the final wish of his late sister, Dr Lee Wei Ling, by scattering her ashes at sea off the coast of Edinburgh. In a brief and emotional Facebook post titled 'Farewell,' Lee described taking his sister on 'one last boat ride,' to honour her request for a sea burial. He wrote, 'Ling and I went to Scotland on our own when we were still in school. We toured the countryside, and stayed in Edinburgh, climbed Arthur's Seat, and visited Edinburgh castle.' He noted that Dr Lee often returned to the country alone in later years for medical examinations and hiking trips in the Scottish hills. Calling her 'principled, steadfast, and indomitable,' Lee's post marked a deeply personal farewell to the last surviving resident of the family home at 38 Oxley Road. Dr Lee Wei Ling passed away on 9 October 2024, aged 69, following a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder she had been diagnosed with in 2020. Her will, which reiterated the explicit wish of her parents—Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo—for the demolition of their house at 38 Oxley Road, has since been granted probate. Lee Hsien Yang, along with his sons Li Shengwu and Li Huanwu, was named executor of her estate. Due to their prolonged absence from Singapore, driven by fears of political persecution, it was Li Huanwu who oversaw Dr Lee's funeral arrangements. In 2023, British authorities confirmed that Lee Hsien Yang and his wife Lee Suet Fern had been granted political asylum in the United Kingdom. Following the probate, Lee Hsien Yang filed a formal application on 21 October 2024 with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to demolish 38 Oxley Road. He cited both his parents' and Dr Lee's wishes, which are explicitly outlined in their respective wills, as the motivation for the application. 'As the only living executor of my father Lee Kuan Yew's estate, it is my duty to carry out his wishes to the fullest extent of the law,' he stated. He also expressed plans to build a small private dwelling in place of the original structure, with the property to remain within the family in perpetuity. The URA application triggered renewed scrutiny of 38 Oxley Road's status. The National Heritage Board (NHB) launched a fresh assessment to determine whether the site should be preserved as a National Monument. The house, once the residence of Lee Kuan Yew and his family, has long been the subject of debate over its heritage value versus private wishes. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong clarified that while the 2018 Ministerial Committee report did include NHB research, it had not been formally evaluated by the Preservation of Monuments Advisory Board. The current review, he said, aims to ensure that 'objective criteria are applied' in any recommendation for national preservation. This renewed assessment has drawn criticism from opposition Members of Parliament. Progress Singapore Party Secretary General Leong Mun Wai and Workers' Party MP Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the necessity of duplicating prior research already documented in 2018. They also raised concerns about whether the current government was acting in contradiction to Lee Kuan Yew's repeatedly stated preference that the house be demolished to prevent it becoming a public shrine. Public sentiment has largely supported the demolition of the house. Surveys and public commentary indicate that many Singaporeans believe that preserving 38 Oxley Road would contravene Lee Kuan Yew's personal principles, including his emphasis on modesty and aversion to personality cults. Supporters of Lee Hsien Yang's stance argue that to uphold Lee Kuan Yew's legacy is to respect his explicit instructions. The government's efforts to explore preservation, however, continue to fuel speculation about political motivations, especially in light of past tensions within the Lee family. Despite these developments, the final decision regarding the property's future remains pending.
Online Citizen
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Lee Hsien Yang urges voters to scrutinise MPs and elect voices that represent the people
Lee Hsien Yang, youngest son of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, has urged Singaporeans to elect Members of Parliament who will serve as effective checks on government power and faithfully represent the people's voice in the legislature. In a Facebook post dated 24 April 2025, Lee reminded voters that Parliament is not meant to function as an echo chamber. He emphasised the need for MPs who are active, engaged, and unafraid to challenge government policies and actions. 'Parliament must not be an echo chamber' According to Lee, the role of an MP is to attend sessions, remain alert, ask questions, and ensure that government policies are debated thoroughly and implemented fairly. He highlighted the importance of scrutinising candidates in the lead-up to the General Election, warning voters not to be swayed by superficial charm or social media popularity. He stressed, 'MPs must ensure that legislation passed is just and fair, not tools for control or oppression.' He encouraged Singaporeans to send competent MPs to Parliament—individuals who would not only raise residents' concerns but also offer meaningful opposition when necessary. 'Opposition MPs are leading the charge' Lee praised opposition MPs for their active participation in parliamentary proceedings, stating that they overwhelmingly speak up and raise important issues. Citing the example of Dr Tan Cheng Bock, a former People's Action Party (PAP) MP who frequently voiced independent views during his 26 years in office, Lee lamented the lack of similar behaviour among current PAP MPs. He criticised the ruling party for its tight discipline, noting that PAP MPs rarely dissent publicly, even during major decisions such as the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) hikes. 'No PAP MP spoke up against the increase,' he observed, suggesting a worrying lack of independence within the party ranks. 'Voting in Parliament must reflect conscience' The post also highlighted the significance of parliamentary votes, even by minority MPs. Lee pointed to the Workers' Party lifting its whip on Section 377A to allow conscience votes as a positive example. In contrast, the PAP's refusal to lift the whip, even during contentious votes, was portrayed as suppressing genuine debate. Lee noted that some PAP-backed legislation has come under public criticism for expanding state surveillance and restricting freedoms of speech and assembly, often passed without meaningful internal opposition. 'Diversity beyond ethnicity is essential' Parliament, Lee said, should reflect Singapore's full diversity—not just along racial or gender lines but through a broad spectrum of ideas, backgrounds, and lived experiences. He warned against a 'tyranny of the majority' and underscored the need to listen to minority voices and alternative viewpoints. He also urged MPs to ensure accountability by consistently asking tough questions and demanding thorough financial oversight. Data showed that the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), an alternative party, has asked the most questions in recent parliamentary sessions, he said. 'Vote for substance, not social media charisma' Lee cautioned voters not to be distracted by candidates' personal traits, lifestyle branding, or popularity on platforms like TikTok. 'Being an MP is a serious job,' he stated, urging citizens to choose individuals who demonstrate commitment, capability, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Character traits such as empathy, sincerity, courage, and integrity were identified as essential qualities for an MP. Lee added that MPs should be willing to raise concerns about sensitive issues, including ministerial salaries, property matters involving ministers, inflation, and housing affordability. Vote the party or the man? Both matter Lee advised voters to assess both the party and the individual candidate. He questioned whether some parties merely use MPs to fill seats or genuinely promote a diversity of opinion. 'Consider whether the candidate understands the real struggles on the ground… and is able to fearlessly articulate that for you in Parliament,' he said. Lee further suggested that Parliament should not be a stepping stone for careerist civil servants or military officers, but rather a platform for conviction politicians—those who prioritise shaping public discourse and protecting civil liberties. LHY in 2019: 'Today's PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way' Lee Hsien Yang has long distanced himself from the contemporary PAP, stating in a 2019 Facebook post that 'Today's PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way.' He remains a vocal critic of the party and has grown increasingly aligned with alternative movements such as the PSP, which was founded by Dr Tan Cheng Bock. Lee left Singapore in 2022 following legal and political actions involving his family. He and his wife, Lee Suet Fern, were granted asylum in the United Kingdom in 2024 after citing political persecution. Suet Fern was suspended from legal practice for 15 months due to allegations related to the late Lee Kuan Yew's will. Their son, Li Shengwu, was previously fined for contempt of court over a private Facebook post. In October 2024, Lee confirmed that he sought asylum as a 'last resort,' but emphasised that he remained a Singapore citizen and expressed hope for a future return.
