Singapore's first family feud raises questions about political system

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An ongoing feud between the children of late Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has gripped the nation.

What began as a family quarrel over whether to demolish Lee Kuan Yew’s house has escalated into a public spectacle. Lee’s younger children, Lee Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yang, accuse their brother, current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, of dishonoring their father’s final wishes.

But the spat has escalated since into questioning their brother’s role in public office, inviting questions about the sustainability of the country's political system.

CGTN’s Callum Stuart reports that with allegations, such as abuse of power, leveled at the prime minister by his own siblings, the very public dispute could have major ramifications for the Singaporean government.

Often referred to as the “founding father” of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew is widely credited as the man behind the city-state’s success. His death in 2015 was marked with a national week of mourning and an outpouring of grief from the island’s citizens.

This uncharacteristic split in the country’s most prominent family has revealed previously hidden fault-lines among the political elite, and the situation has gone far beyond a mere family affair.

Concerns are also emerging over the impact of such public dispute on Singapore’s international image.

Eugene Tan, associate professor of Law from the Singapore Management University, said the government should keep a close eye on the case, as the repercussions will certainly flow into the economic sphere.

Lee Hsien Loong will address the parliament in early July to rebut his siblings’ allegations, but as long as his siblings refuse to back off, the Lee family saga is set to dominate political discussions in the island nation.