The Dispute

Can LHL refute all the allegations being hurled against him, and the PAP Govt?

There have been many things said and alleged in the Lee family dispute since its explosive start on 14 June 2017.

Here are my own observations on the Dispute:

(1) Initial allegations of abuse of PMO Authority are still unsubstantiated

LHY & LWL’s initial allegations of LHL abusing his authority as PM, that state apparatus have been misused against them, seems to have been conveniently forgotten by the duo. (See https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByodqaSLlpPIWHdRdFE2QlZYbzg/view for the allegations.)

As of 3 Jul 2017, the duo has not released any hard evidence to the public to back up this specific abuse of authority allegation. What they have done is to merely make their allegations based on selective snippets of documents without giving the original context of the document. At the time of writing this, it seems that all of the duo’s allegations have so far been proven to be either wrong or misleading.

Regardless, the duo went from being the guilty co-conspirators of the “dictatorial PAP government” to almost “freedom fighter” sainthood, literally overnight in the eyes of the anti-PAP mobs.

The anti-PAP mobs are foaming at the mouth with glee at the duo’s allegations against LHL and the PAP government. After all, it is not every day that they are handed such potent ammunition from LKY’s own family members. Even more unsubstantiated and exaggerated embellishments and lurid details have been added on by the anti-PAP mobs to whip up anti-PAP sentiments on social media.

This was an astute and deliberate move made to bait the anti-PAP mobs into becoming the duo’s online megaphone.

Not only has the duo found an “instant” support base to wage their social-media war to hurt LHL’s image and reputation, the duo’s online presence and audience reach has also been instantly and greatly magnified. There is no better example of phase “the enemy of my enemy is my ally.”

(2) Despite the serious allegations, LHY & LWL have not taken any legal steps against LHL

Why haven’t the duo made a police report against LHL for the abuse of authority? How about a report to the CPIB? How about suing LHL for “defamation”?

Surely, the duo is aware that these are the legal avenues that are freely available to them? They are definitely more than capable of doing so financially and legally, especially when LHY has the support of his wife’s legal expertise.

So, why haven’t they done so?

This is likely to be a deliberate strategy by the duo to fully use public opinion to their advantage. If one of their objectives is to pressure and hurt LHL politically, the best way to do this is to continue their social media campaign for as long as possible.

They are know that the moment they have made a police/CPIB report and the case comes before the Courts, they can no longer wage their social media war without risking sub judice contempt – that is to prejudice court proceedings. And in addition they would need to furnish hard evidence, which they are unlikely to have, to back up their numerous claims.

(3) Social Media posts vs Statutory Declarations

To date, LHY & LWL have deliberately kept to only using social media to launch their attacks on LHL.

LHL has responded by releasing his Statutory Declaration, thereby opening himself to be challenged in open court by the duo. But they have not done so, instead choosing to continue their social media campaign.

But why don’t LHY & LWL do the same, and put their allegations on record via a Statutory Declaration, or to sue LHL?

The likely reason is that the duo wants to keep their unsubstantiated allegations away from the scrutiny of the Courts, and from being challenged legally by LHL.

A Statutory Declaration is a serious document with legal implications. A false Statutory Declaration is a criminal offence under Singapore law, and can result in a jail term and/or a fine.

(4) Impact on Singapore

There was initial shock and uproar when LHY & LWL made public their allegations against LHL.

Foreign news media quickly picked it up and it became an international talking point. "Sqeaky clean Singapore finally has some scandalous news involving the highest levels of the government!" What better way to sell newspapers and attract eyeballs on the Internet?

Of course it is deeply embarrassing, not just for the Lee Family but for all Singaporeans. But that's not really the point.

Whether they like it or not, their words carry far more weight and influence simply because they are part of LKY’s family. Hence, LHY & LWL’s unsubstantiated allegations of abuse of authority are far more toxic and damaging to the Singapore’s reputation than any allegations that could ever been made by others.

Yet, the duo does not seem to troubled by, nor have they shown any concern about how their selfish actions may harm Singapore.

I believe LKY and his wife would have been heart-broken to learn that LHY & LWL have chosen to go down this path. 

One of LKY's enduring legacies he left behind for Singapore, was for the system of government to be uncorrupted, intolerant of any corruption or questionable behavior and based on the strict application of law - where everyone is subject to, and equal before the law. LKY has never, and would never have allowed his personal interests to come into conflict with the national interests of Singapore in any matter.

And hence, it is extremely irresponsible of them to be making allegations without showing any hard evidence to back up their words. I would even argue that LHY & LWL’s behavior to date, have made them to be the ones who are truly dishonoring LKY’s memory.

On the other hand, LHL is only too cognizant of the fallout from the Dispute and has publicly apologized to Singaporeans for dragging Singapore’s reputation through the mud because of the Dispute. In addition, LHL will be addressing the duo’s allegations in Parliament on 3 July 2017, as well as to lift the party whip for the PAP MPs.

(5) Addressing the Dispute in Parliament

The significance and implications of LHL’s decision to address the Dispute in Parliament are clear.

All speeches made in Parliament are documented and are a matter of public record. They are open to all for scrutiny.  (https://www.parliament.gov.sg/publications-singapore-official-reports)

In addressing the Dispute in Parliament, LHL is not only putting down his words on permanent record, he is also giving the opposition MPs the rare opportunity to go on the offensive and question him.

By lifting the PAP party whip, LHL has also indirectly subjected the PAP MPs to be assessed by Singaporeans.

The PAP MPs will have to ask the harder, more-inconvenient and potentially embarrassing questions of LHL if they are to be considered as persons of integrity with their own minds, and are not just the mindless, yes-men that the anti-PAP mob claims them to be.

Politically, LHL has effectively put himself and the PAP Govt before Singaporeans for their review.

If there is even the smallest inconsistency or untruth detected, then not only will LHL be politically destroyed, the PAP’s future would go down in flames too.

There is much more at stake here than just the fate of an old house, it is Singapore's future development and growth as a nation.