TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Singapore PM's brother backs his rival with election looming

Lee Hsien Yang's comments come amid a bitter family dispute over the house of their father Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore, and ahead of the vote, due by early 2021, but which the prime minister has suggested could be this year.

News Desk (Reuters)
Singapore
Thu, January 24, 2019 Published on Jan. 24, 2019 Published on 2019-01-24T11:19:07+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Lee Hsien Yang, younger brother of Singapore's prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, leaves the Supreme court on April 10, 2017. Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, the younger siblings of Singapore’s current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, have taken the government to court for control over oral history tapes recorded by their father.
Lee Hsien Yang, younger brother of Singapore's prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, leaves the Supreme court on April 10, 2017. Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, the younger siblings of Singapore’s current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, have taken the government to court for control over oral history tapes recorded by their father. (AFP/Roslan Rahman)

T

he brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday described the head of a new party planned to be set up ahead of a general election that could come as soon as this year as "the leader Singapore deserves".

Lee Hsien Yang's comments come amid a bitter family dispute over the house of their father Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore, and ahead of the vote, due by early 2021, but which the prime minister has suggested could be this year.

His ruling People's Action Party, which has governed the city-state since independence more than half a century ago, with its share of the vote never having dropped below 60 percent, now holds all but six of the 89 elected seats in parliament.

Last week, in a move that could boost Singapore's weak opposition, a former PAP member and presidential candidate, Tan Cheng Bock, said he had applied to register a new party, called the Progress Singapore Party.

"Cheng Bock will groom future parliamentarians who will serve our country and people before party or self," Lee Hsien Yang said in a posting on Facebook.

"This is good for the future of Singapore." He added, "Cheng Bock is the leader Singapore deserves."

Lee Hsien Yang did not have any further comment when contacted by Reuters. The prime minister's office did not comment. 

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.