SINGAPORE: Zhang Haijie (张海洁), a news anchor with Singapore’s state media 8World News, is now facing renewed criticism for her latest comments on Lee Hsien Yang, labeling him an “unfilial son (逆子)” and accusing him of damaging both his family’s and Singapore’s reputation.

Netizens have questioned Zhang’s one-sided opinion, suggesting it serves as establishment propaganda.

In a video commentary published on 25 October on 8World News’ social media and her own YouTube page, Zhang discussed the controversy surrounding Lee Hsien Yang’s recent asylum claim in the United Kingdom, which has garnered significant public attention in Singapore.

Zhang expressed personal opinion, criticising LHY’s s “rebellious actions” have deeply damaged the Lee family’s and Singapore’s reputation.

In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, LHY claims his departure was driven by what he describes as a campaign of political persecution by the Singaporean government under his brother’s administration.

He accused the Singaporean authorities of using legal actions and investigations to intimidate and repress him and his family.

In the video, Zhang introducing the concept of political asylum, explaining it as protection granted to those who can demonstrate credible fear or evidence of persecution on various grounds.

Zhang juxtaposed this with the Singapore government’s stance that Lee Hsien Yang and his wife are not legally restricted from returning to Singapore and that claims of persecution are unfounded.

She referenced a Financial Times report implying that the U.K. might have accepted Lee’s view that his son’s political ambitions were obstructed by former PM Lee Hsien Loong’s influence.

She expressed skepticism toward these claims, pointing out that Lee Hsien Yang criticised his father, the late Lee Kuan Yew, by describing Singapore as a “dictatorship.”

Zhang viewed his statements as attacks on his father’s legacy, specifically the establishment of rule of law, which she argued remains a defining element of Singapore’s governance.

“What is Lee Hsien Yang thinking? I’m at a loss for words, except one word fills my mind: “unfilial son (逆子)”,” Zhang criticised.

Zhang Misquotes LHY, Claiming He Derided His Father for Establishing a Dictatorship in Singapore

However, upon reviewing the original Guardian report, it is evident that Zhang has misquoted LHY.

The article itself provides context about Lee Kuan Yew, highlighting his role in transforming Singapore into an economic powerhouse while also mentioning the imprisonment of hundreds of opposition figures.

The characterization of Lee Kuan Yew as the “democratic world’s favourite dictator” actually originates from a 2015 opinion piece in the Washington Post.

Netizens Criticize Zhang Haijie’s One-Sided Remarks on LHY

In the comments section on 8 World News’s social media page, some users criticized Zhang Haijie’s remarks on Lee Hsien Yang, saying her comments “went too far,” appeared one-sided, and even sounded condemnatory.

One user commented, “Has the media now become a political tool?” suggesting Zhang’s remarks might serve as establishment propaganda.

Others advised Zhang to stay out of the Lee family’s affairs, noting, “Since ancient times, even the most impartial judge has found family matters difficult to resolve; it’s best if you watch your words.”

Some disagreed with Zhang for labeling Lee Hsien Yang as an “unfilial son,” pointing out that she is not even a member of the Lee family.

One comment remarked, “This program should be renamed ‘One-Sided Remarks,’ urging everyone to engage in an objective discussion about the issue instead of being misled by the ruling party’s biased narrative.”

Users emphasize Lee Hsien Yang’s independent thinking and stand up for his beliefs

Another user stated, “Don’t jump to conclusions! Everyone has their own aspirations. Just because he (LHY) comes from a family in the ruling party doesn’t mean he has to conform to everything; he should be allowed to think for himself and have his own beliefs. ”

Therefore, we can’t label him as rebellious; instead, we should recognize his ability to make his own judgments.”

One comment read: “I’m not surprised by this news at all! If Li Shengwu were to join the opposition party, his influence would indeed be a significant threat to the ruling People’s Action Party.”

Dr Lee refers her brother LHL as a “dishonorable son” and accuses him of abusing power to ‘build a dynasty’

While Zhang employed the weighty term “unfilial son” to criticise LHY, it remains uncertain whether she recalls that the late Dr Lee Wei Ling, sister of Lee Hsien Loong, referred to her brother as a “dishonourable son” for attempting to create a “Lee family cult.”

Dr Lee, who passed away on 9 October 2024, was a steadfast advocate for her father, Lee Kuan Yew’s wish to demolish their family home at 38 Oxley Road.

LKY had wished for his home to be demolished after his daughter no longer lived there.

Both LHY and LWL supported this wish, but Lee Hsien Loong, then the Prime Minister, contended that their father had been open to government decisions regarding the house.

This disagreement led to a series of legal and personal conflicts that have strained the family relationship, culminating in LHY’s decision to leave Singapore.

While publicly Lee Hsien Loong has stated that he recused himself from government decisions related to his family, LHY accused him in a recent Guardian article that that the legal actions against him and his family could not have occurred without the involvement of his brother, Lee Hsien Loong.

“In a tightly controlled country like Singapore, these kinds of actions could not have happened without the agreement and acquiescence of Lee Hsien Loong,” he said.

He told the Guardian he believed the current allegations against him and his wife were politically motivated attempts to destroy him.

He also said he had been among the targets of Singapore’s “very extensive surveillance system”.

LHL has not commented publicly on this specific allegation.

Despite the founding fathers’ wishes against the establishment of memorials, the Singapore government, under LHL’s leadership, has initiated plans to build a memorial for the founders, which is expected to cost US$335 million.

MALAYSIA: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, currently serving a prison sentence, issued a rare apology for his role in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal.

Despite expressing remorse, Najib continued to assert that he was unaware of any illegal transfers connected to the now-defunct sovereign wealth fund.

The 1MDB fund, co-founded by Najib in 2009 during his tenure as prime minister and finance minister, has been embroiled in global corruption investigations.

Authorities in at least six countries have examined the alleged misappropriation of over US$4.5 billion by top officials and their associates.

The case has made headlines for its scale, involving high-profile figures such as fugitive businessman Jho Low and two executives from Saudi oil firm Petrosaudi, all of whom have faced legal action.

In 2022, Malaysia’s highest court upheld Najib’s conviction for corruption and money laundering, sentencing him to 12 years in prison.

He was found guilty of receiving approximately US$10 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

Although the initial sentence was later reduced by a royal pardon, Najib, 71, has continuously denied any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday (25 October), Najib’s son, Mohamad Nizar Mohd Najib, read a letter from the former leader at a press conference, in which Najib expressed his regret for the scandal.

“It pains me every day to know that the 1MDB debacle happened under my watch as minister of finance and prime minister,” Najib wrote.

“For that, I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Malaysian people.”

Despite Apology, Najib Maintains Innocence, Denies Direct Involvement in 1MDB Illegal Activities

Although Najib maintained his innocence, claiming he was not directly involved in the illegal activities surrounding the 1MDB funds, he acknowledged that he could have acted differently when concerns about the fund first arose.

In his latest statement, which was also shared on his official Facebook page, Najib admitted that his focus at the time was on the fund’s financial stability and the potential diplomatic fallout rather than on investigating potential criminal activities.

Anti-corruption investigators in Malaysia have stated that attempts to probe 1MDB during Najib’s administration were hindered.

They revealed that witnesses were intimidated, with some even facing death threats, in an effort to block investigations.

The controversy surrounding the fund has had deep political and economic repercussions for Malaysia, tarnishing the country’s international reputation.

Najib’s Apology Follows Government Proposal for House Arrest as New Sentencing Option in 2025 Budget

Najib’s apology comes just days after Malaysia’s government announced its intention to introduce a new law as part of its 2025 budget plans, which would allow house arrest as an alternative punishment for certain crimes.

The former prime minister has been advocating to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, citing an alleged royal order that he claims accompanied his pardon.

He is seeking confirmation from the government regarding the terms of the order.

In his letter, Najib reiterated his shock over the 1MDB scandal and expressed hope that the judicial system would eventually clear him of all charges.

He referenced a news report that suggested Jho Low and the two Petrosaudi executives, Patrick Mahony and Tarek Obaid colluded to siphon SRC funds without his knowledge in 2009 and 2010.

Both Low and the executives, who were convicted in a Swiss court in August 2024 for embezzling 1MDB funds, have denied any wrongdoing.

Najib also reiterated his long-standing defence, claiming the funds he received were political donations from Saudi Arabia, rather than embezzled funds from 1MDB.

He did not, however, address allegations of receiving over US$1 billion, which authorities have linked to 1MDB transactions, including a US$681 million transfer in 2013.

Najib has consistently denied these allegations.

In addition to his current sentence, Najib faces multiple other corruption trials.

On 30 October 2024, a Malaysian court is scheduled to decide whether to acquit him or require him to defend himself in a separate 1MDB-related case involving charges of money laundering and corruption.