Lee Hsien Yang, Son of Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister, Granted Asylum in the UK

In a shocking revelation, Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest child of Singapore’s first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, announced his asylum status in the UK amid accusations of political persecution from his brother, the recently resigned prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong.

Lee Hsien Yang, who has been residing in the UK for the last two years, revealed on Tuesday that he was granted political asylum after the British authorities recognized the risk of persecution he faced in Singapore. He had applied for asylum in June 2022 and received notification of approval in August 2023. Expressing his disbelief about becoming a refugee from the country his father established, he stated, “I never imagined in my worst nightmares that I would end up becoming a refugee from a country that my father built.”

The strained relationship between Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Hsien Loong touches on the broader contentious narrative surrounding Singapore's political lineage. Lee Hsien Loong, having served as prime minister for two decades until earlier this year, continues to hold significant political power as a senior minister and secretary-general of the ruling People's Action Party.

The UK Home Office confirmed that Lee Hsien Yang's fear of political persecution was well-founded, allowing him to secure asylum for a duration of five years, with the possibility of an extension thereafter.

Meanwhile, Singapore's government has dismissed allegations of persecution brought forward by Lee Hsien Yang. Andrea Goh, a spokesperson for the Singaporean government, characterized his claims as unfounded, asserting that he and his family have always had the option to return to Singapore without threat or intimidation. The ongoing feud within the Lee family underscores the complexities of Singapore's political environment, echoing themes of power, legacy, and familial discord.