PM Lee rebuts siblings' allegations about nepotism

SINGAPORE'S prime minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday rebutted his siblings' allegations about nepotism concerning his wife, Ho Ching, and his son, Li Hongyi, as well as his desire to keep 38 Oxley Road standing in order to inherit the late Lee Kuan Yew's credibility and bolster his standing.

"Hongyi, my son, has publicly said he is not interested in politics. Nor have I pushed him to enter politics," PM Lee told Parliament.

Read More: Late Lee Kuan Yew pondered all options for 38 Oxley Road with family

"My wife, Ho Ching, is CEO of Temasek Holdings. As CEO, she reports to the Board, chaired by Mr Lim Boon Heng. As a company, Temasek Holdings answers to its shareholder, the Ministry of Finance, under Minister Heng Swee Keat."

"I have every confidence that both Lim Boon Heng and Heng Swee Keat understand the meaning of good corporate governance," PM Lee said.

"Regarding the house, and how its continued existence enhances my aura as PM, if I needed such magic properties to bolster my authority even after being your PM for 13 years, I must be in a pretty sad state," PM Lee said.

Read More: PM Lee speaks in Parliament

"And if such magic can work, Singapore must be in an even sadder state."

On Monday, PM Lee lifted the parliamentary whip of his ruling People's Action Party (PAP) - which holds 83 out of 89 seats - allowing ministers, including Members of Parliament from the opposition, to grill him on the allegations of abuse of power brought against him by his younger siblings, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling.

For more stories on the Lee family feud, go to bt.sg/leefeud.