Lee Hsien Yang Weighs Presidential Run
March 3rd, 2023 | 
Author: 
Lee Hsien Yang
The estranged younger brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is considering a run for the largely ceremonial role of president this year, a sign that an ongoing family feud could start to overshadow the city-state’s politics.
Lee Hsien Yang, 65, spoke about his plans to Bloomberg News after the government revealed an ongoing police investigation against him and his wife over the handling of the last will of his father Lee Kuan Yew, who founded modern Singapore.
“There is a view that depending on who they float, if I were to run they would be in serious trouble and could lose”, Lee Hsien Yang said by phone, referring to the ruling People’s Action Party headed by his brother. “A lot of people have come to me. They really want me to run. It’s something I would consider.”
The Prime Minister’s Office didn’t immediately comment. The government has said the police investigation was an opportunity for Lee Hsien Yang and his wife Lee Suet Fern to vindicate themselves and their refusal to participate raises questions.
A former chief executive of Singtel, Lee Hsien Yang has lived in self-imposed exile in Europe for months along with his wife. He declined to say where they were residing. With the ongoing probe, Lee Hsien Yang said he was unsure “what the chances are that I will return to Singapore in the foreseeable future.”
While the prime minister runs the government in Singapore, the presidency holds some powers such as the right to veto spending bills or government requests to draw on past reserves, which was done to help shore up the budget during the pandemic. The president also must sign off on civil service appointments.
Although candidates for the presidential race are supposed to be non-partisan under Singapore’s constitution, the current president was a former senior official of the PAP, which has ruled Singapore since independence in 1965. The vote will give an indicator of the national mood ahead of a general election that must be called by November 2025, with the PAP seeking to win over younger voters facing rising living costs after suffering its worst-ever showing in the 2020 election.
The next national vote will also likely mark the end of Lee Hsien Loong’s roughly two decades in power. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has been tapped to take the reins after another deputy, Heng Swee Keat, stepped aside as heir apparent in April 2021.
Discord among the Lee siblings has simmered for years since the patriarch’s death in 2015. It largely centres on whether a colonial-era bungalow near the glitzy shopping district where Lee Kuan Yew lived for most of his 91 years should be demolished.
Lee Hsien Loong, 71, has in the past expressed disappointment that his younger brother and sister Lee Wei Ling have publicised private family matters.
Lee Hsien Yang’s path to presidency will be difficult. He has to meet requirements set by the Presidential Elections Committee, which is stacked mostly with government officials, in order to qualify as a candidate. Critics have said in the past the committee has too much discretionary power to decide whether candidates are fit to run.
His wife Lee Suet Fern was suspended for 15 months from practising law in 2020. She said at the time she disagreed with the punishment for professional misconduct in her handling of the will. Their son Li Sheng Wu was fined the same year for a private Facebook post that criticised the government over its handling of the matter.
This is not the first time Lee Hsien Yang has mulled running for public office. In 2020, he joined the opposition Progress Singapore Party and briefly flirted with the idea of competing against his brother in elections in what critics called a stunt to raise the profile of the opposition. Lee Hsien Yang said in Facebook post then he backed down then as “Singapore doesn’t need another Lee”.
He was still front and centre of his party’s election campaign that yielded no outright electoral victories though a rule that mandates opposition representation in parliament awarded it two non-constituency seats. The PAP by contrast won 89% of the seats up for grabs but it was the worst showing for the ruling party as the opposition Workers’ Party made significant headway.
By Philip Heijman
* Article first appeared on Bloomberg.
Posted in 
Does not matter. The clown circus always has one drama or another to entertain the $G sheeple. At the end of the day nothing changes. New retards will be voted in for old. Don’t expect any changes and you won’t be disappointed.
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I have been saying this and I will say it again. Yang should NOT waste time on Sinkies and don’t bother to even try to run for the EP because it will NEVER happen. Those making decisions at the Presidential Elections Committee are reportedly very powderful people and they have absolute discretion as to who are allowed to qualify.
Besides, there is still an alleged case against Yang, so if he decides to contest by returning, he can be super fast-tracked to be charged and maybe even convicted, effectively disqualifying him before the EP. Yang’s alleged lying is not a heavy-duty worrying offence, possibly a fine, BUT the fine could disqualify him as an EP candidate and leave a criminal record that may hinder his future plans to migrate.
Maybe there is even a Plan B, C, D, etc etc etc should the above fails, who knows?
Instead of being ‘well taken care’ of in Sinkieland, better guai guai stay put in Europe and employ 10s of maids who will take good care of him and his wife. Surely BILLIONAIRE Yang can afford the maids, no?
If Yang agrees to keep his a$$e in Europe, then maybe the Supremo need not send the attack dogs and 锦衣卫 to 诛his family, everyone happy, why not?
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What is this vindication of president candidate all about when the police risk their lives and moral values to extinguish the Keppl case and exonerate the people behind.
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Go for it. Lee Hsien Yang and his family has the support of the majority of not only 40% from opposition voters plus perhaps more than 20% from fence sitters. Be it the Presidential Election or Tanjong Pager grc in the not too far General Election. Yes, PAP would be in serious trouble and lose more seats in the GE, if Lee Hsien Yang wins the President Election. This would pave the way for the more seasoned major opposition leaders from PSP, SDP, The People’s Voice and the Reform Party into Singapore’s mainstream politics. It has been a long time coming.
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Elder brother is the prime minister whereas the younger brother is the president of the country, the little red dot?
If this really happens, it will be the so called “ all in a family “!
Cannot like that one, the little red dot is democratic mah!
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Where there’s a will, there’s a way (no pun intended).
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Now we see president requirement become a problem and block potential candidate. The person of “integrity, good character and reputation” requirement actually stop many potential good people to become president. Requirements is bad. Everyone want should be given a chance to be president. Every Singaporeans should be given a right and a dream to be president. All these requirements only make potential good candidates have no chance to be president. It is only a political tool to destroy political opponent.
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If the constitution can be tailor-made for an Indian to become a Malay President, does anyone even think that it cannot be tailor-made again to disqualify LHY?
When CPIB can be corrupted by the PAP, anything can happens in Singapore!
Singapore has 7 out of 10 voting adults are graduates of some kind from well known universities all over the world. I just hope these people are smarter than their parents!
When PAP is in power after the next GE, these graduates have voted for high cost of living, high price for BTO, pay more taxes, etc! And they like to be screwed!
God bless Singapore and Singaporeans!
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I think all this Lee family drama is staged by these two. It is easy to dupe sheeple. At the end of the day it does not matter. Nothing will change. Do not live in Disneyland. Just be prepared to publically call the FT as ‘Master’.
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@nathenchen
Yang has a police case against him, even if without a conviction, the “integrity, good character and reputation” clause would have disqualified him. Remember the PEC has the ultimate authority and say as to who qualifies or not.
If Yang returns to Sinkieland, he WILL BE investigated, for years or months or days, entirely up to the AGC. He can be charged super quickly within days and may be convicted or the investigation can drag on for years, thus catching him in the “integrity, good character and reputation” clause. IF he is charged and convicted, then lagi simple to disqualify him even if he is just fined.
So tell me, HOW in the world do you expect Yang to stand for the Presidential Election?
Even a rookie like me also know how to ‘take good care’ of Yang, you think those overly-qualified armies of the Supremo dunno meh?
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Way to go!
It shows you truly love sinkiland!
Sinkies love your independence, YES!
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Aiyah.TRE police.
Lee Hsien Yang might come back to clear his name in Kangaroo Court. Ah Loong has recused himself, remember? Not because he is a fair man, but because he dreaded to be exposed by his brother and his sister, in court, who called him the d**honourable son. There might not even be a case for the AGC. The lan jiao PAP government will get the hint not to drag the Lees to court.Remember, how the PM instead of suing his brother in court prefer to tell his personal story in Parliament.
Don’t forget, if anything untoward happen to Lee Hsien Yang, there is still Tan Cheng Bock. You think he cannot win the PE this time? Fixing Lee Hsien Yang might backfire on the Pipigs and benefit Tan Cheng Bock.
PAP cannot last forever. Ah Loong is near his retirement. He might even drop dead tomorrow. What will happen to the PAP. These cbs people are not as united as they want the public to perceive them to be.
Tech: Err… you have not been updating yourself much. There is NO Tan Cheng Bock because he DOES NOT qualify anymore since the last PE, so basically, there is only Lee Hsien Yang to contend with. Also, the AGC has no qualms about charging Yang’s son, what makes you think they dare not touch Yang himself?
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No lah! No lah!
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Unless a miracle happens Hsien Yang’s journey to be president is all but over. If Ho Ching is a candidate the public will ask how can the husband be PM while the wife is president which will be answered with the usual meritocracy nonsense.
It was a good buildup but unfortunately the show is over. I’m prepared for another walkover with no candidates except for you know who.
Tech: Err… other than Mdm Ho, Tan Chuan Jin (the exercise MP), as the speaker of Parliament also qualify, in fact, many from the MIW camp also qualifies, so it may not be just Mdm Ho. But then we know that if it’s from the party, even put Ah Meng there also no difference because it will truly be a ceremonial role, just sign and stamp, cannot ask questions, dio bo?
Anyway, like you said and I agree, Hsien Yang is history, kaput and finished as a EP candidate, no need to waste time crying father and crying mother.
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Tre Police
Why was TCB disqualified the last PE?
Tech: Last GE was reserved for a non-Chinese, you say Tan was disqualified or not? Additionally, they also raised the capital of the company that a candidate must helm, resulting in Tan being “out of range”, if I remember correctly. Go check official gahment website cause I cannot remember the amount adjusted to, too lazy to search. So unless they reversed the criteria to before the last PE, Tan will NEVER qualify in this lifetime.
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Maybe LHY shud try to run for PM instead!
EP means *Nothing* in practice.
Look,you saw what happened to Ong Teng Cheong.
As PM,its different.
Tech: PM is a SELECTED post, not an elected post.
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Hahaha, being a non-Chinese is a non-issue of Tan Cheng Bock this coming PE. How much is Ayer Rajah, a single ward constituency run by Tan Cheng Bock successfully for many years as the MP worth, more than any ordinary multinational company.
The point here with your fatalistic mentality anything alternate to the PAP, there would be no JB Jeyaretnam, no WP, no SDP, no PSP, no nothing but write masturbatory articles in TRE. Hahaha
Tech: We are talking about Tan’s eligibility for EP, let’s just stick to that and do not digress. He is not eligible per the election department’s latest criteria, nothing to do with what I think or say, as simple as that.
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The Kempeitai
1881 – 1945
The Kempeitai Follower
1965 – 20??
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TRE Police
Don’t talk cock. The question here is just because TCB was disqualified last PE, does not mean he cannot try for the coming PE, unless he does not want to. Everybody knows he was not eligible last PE because he is Chinese and not Malay. Not for any other reasons. The other criterion is one must helm a business entity with paid up capital of 500 million or thereabout, with success over a period of time. Or have experience helming an autonomous or semiautonomous government statutory institution. Yes, I got to digress, because you got it wrong about TCB eligible to run for this coming PE. Unless, this PE the Government stipulate it wants a local Indian only to run for president, but I don’t think so. Lee Hsien Yang cannot, Tan Cheng Bock cannot, who do you think can? Simon Lim, your good friend. Hahaha.
Tech: Err… which part of “he does not qualify” under the current criteria you don’t understand?
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If LHY is disqualifed from running he can claim the reason was to stop him from running. If is not qualified, runs and wins he can give LHL and PAP a hard time. There is no “downside” for LHY to run. For PAP and LHL it is only “downside”. Great. N
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Wait for it. PAP will change the constitution to put in required qualifications to be Prime Minister.
Prime Minister has much higher pay than President. So it’s natural that there must be required qualifications. Otherwise, ah kau, ah mou, all become PM, how?
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@TRE Tech
Yes,win GE via oppo party.
The Wayang Party says does not want to form govt,just want to be FIRST WORLD OPPOSITION?
But cant even attain that aspiration???
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The village chief who didn’t question the probate before his dad chief died said he got strong case to keep the house. Strong case from yes sir Davind, or yes sir Sham?
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Smart move by LHY. He has already won because people are speculating that the police probe on him is to prevent him from the EP. Public is pitting him against HC and he is definitely more popular and has more trust on the ground. While he is fighting the demons, TCB can slip in easily. I am sure they have worked at the $500million criteria. I can see TCB as the next President. I hope all Singaporeans will vote him in as there needs to be someone outside of the PAP circle in the Istana.
Tech: Just curious, may I ask which organisation has Dr Tan worked in that has a paid-up capital of $500 million?
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What has the FLOOR OF $500M GOT TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF A GOOD PRESIDENT?
MANY CROOK$ CAPTAINED BILLION DOLLARED COMPANIES TOO?
HOW ABOUT PAPple running BIGLY CORPORATION$ AND LO$T HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY?
THIS $500M THINGY IS STUPID!
BARRIER OR NOT,IT SHUD BE REMOVED ASAP.
GO ASK REAGAN IF HE HAD RUN A $500M company and yet he led America better than most recent BILLIONAIRE PREZ?
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All of us r prisoner of time
No need do any necessary.
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By that paid up capital criteria, they should get that head from Neptune Orient Lines who sank SPH to be president. Neptune Orient Lines is worth more than $500m. Bunch of cronies and crony president hopefuls trying to keep things under wraps.
Someone said it well. People are looking for real answers for Keppl bribery, SPH falsifications, and TPL conflict of interests and TCH is paid to be busy with a family squabble.
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You ,I all will be timeless.k.
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Same kind of reasoning that earning less than $500k is mediocre. Many drug lords, criminals, pimps, could be earning more than $500k.
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Watch this Tik Tok and understand how super rich is Mahathir and his family -”https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS8QfgSL3/”
Check how many thousands of RM billions he has ?Corrupted until to this level !!!What about Singapore side of corruptions ?
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It was a huge disgrace to have a very public and even international fight over the late LKY very old house. Human pride sets in and the quarrel became very public and amounted to very little.
All the combatants lost. Singapore lost.
Singapore is forever grateful to LKY for what it is today and what it will be in decades to come. He had the wisdom of the ages.
The Family could have easily settled on a Moratorium…freeze the family dispute for 10 years. Appoint an independent International Committee to arbitrate the issue.
Instead, they fought over minutae and destroyed the Family unity forever.
None in that Family should ever ascend to the position of President.
Singapore has enough of the drama.
Let us honor the memory of LKY, not his Will, his house.
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Singapore Inc belongs to ALL of us and We are part of Singapore Inc.
The Cabinet is just the spokepersons. The deliberations involve thousands of very capable Civil Servants and participation by the Public.
Our inputs do go towards making the Policies. We may disagree with some or many of the Policies but Singapore is standing up very well in the face of international turmoil.
I can speak with some confidence as I interact often with the Government and have given numerous constructive inputs. Complaints are not helpful without adding what I think can be a better way forward. And many of my inputs have been refined, modulated and built upon.
I see them appear in new regulations months later. Deliberations in Singapore are seldom in knee-jerk fashion with rapid turnaround in public announcements.
Singapore does not discard its top Civil Servants, members of the Cabinet, members of the other arms of Singapore like some countries are doing.
Singapore Inc. is a gigantic machine that at its heart is concerned with the well-being of Singapore.
Be constructive. Contribute to Singapore Inc.
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@Wisdom
Be constructive?
Tell us if many of the oppo ideas are not constructive?
Yet,they have been crucified.
You say here you have contributed ideas n the *INC.* has taken your suggestions and formulated policies with them
If it is not over-bearing,WHAT WERE THOSE SUGGESTIONS you made?
It would be good if you could share.
Nothing to withhold right since you claim we are all sgs.
Cheerio.
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To be a sink president, your spine must be able to bend very lowly; have a brain power the size of pea.
Most don’t qualify.
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@Too stiff
I beg to differ. IMHO, 60% of Sinkies do qualify and at S$2 MILLION per year doing practically nothing but carry babies, promote Milo and rubber stamping, I would ask how long do you want me to bend. lol
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Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling, 2/3 of the offsprings, say pap clown is wrong. Dr Lee Wei Ling says pap clown is dishonorable son.
The one bringing shame to the saga is pap clown. Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling didn’t. Get your facts right.
If pap clown has not abused power and go backwards when probate is already issued, where got saga?
The most shameful is a family saga pap clown can abuse power to the extent of getting a senior minister involved. Go figure. An outsider given the tile of pap senior minister is used by pap clown to even the score with 2/3 of the offsprings.
Anyway, since you are so stupid, we don’t waste our wisdom on you.
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You are so stupid.
Honesty is the only measure needed.
None under current pap regime has honesty.
We have dealt with all manner of civil servants. They are all dishonest. By omission or by commission they turn a blind eye to all the wrongs happening in the pap regime.
The truly honest folks don’t deal with current pap regime. Because they want to avoid being tainted by pap lies.
Anyway, you are so stupid we don’t want to waste our wisdom on you.
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Dream on, if that makes you happy.
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