It was reported yesterday that the estranged brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mr Lee Hsien Yang, has joined the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) (‘Lee Hsien Yang joins Progress Singapore Party, uncertain if he will contest in GE2020‘, 24 Jun).
PSP was set up by former Presidential candidate and Member of Parliament, Dr Tan Cheng Bock to run against the incumbent PAP, led by PM Lee.
According to an announcement by PSP yesterday, it welcomed Lee Hsien Yang into the fold. Hsien Yang has been embroiled with his brother PM in a dispute over their father’s house at Oxley Road.
The announcement comes just a day after parliament was dissolved and the writ of election issued, with Nomination Day and Polling Day set for 30 June and 10 July respectively.
Dr Tan revealed that Hsien Yang has already been a member of the party “for quite some time” but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from holding a proper membership presentation ceremony until yesterday. Dr Tan said, “This morning, I have a great pleasure in giving this Progress Singapore Party membership card to Lee Hsien Yang, who joined us quite some time ago.”
However, Hsien Yang is keeping mum if he would contest in the upcoming GE and if so, where he would contest in.
Online, speculations are rife that he may contest in Tanjong Pagar GRC, where his father used to represent.
Tanjong Pagar GRC is currently being led by Minister Chan Chun Sing, who has insulted Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and called Singaporeans “siah suay” at a private dialogue in Feb (‘Online users express anger towards Chan Chun Sing over his remarks of calling people “idiots” and “disgraceful”‘, 18 Feb).
Hsien Yang joining alternative party made world news
Meanwhile, yesterday’s news of Hsien Yang joining the alternative party was quickly picked up and reported by news media all over the world:
New York Times: Singapore PM’s Estranged Brother Joins Opposition Party as Election Looms
Washington Post: How a House Provoked a Feud in Singapore’s Lee Family: QuickTake
Reuters: Explainer: Why are Singapore’s first family feuding?
AFP: Singapore PM’s brother joins opposition before polls
Bloomberg: Singapore PM’s Brother Joins Opposition Ahead of Election
Nikkei Asian Review: Prospect of Lee vs. Lee election has Singapore buzzing
Australian Financial Review: Singapore’s COVID-19 election a Lee family affair
Canberra Times (Australia): Singapore PM’s brother joins opposition
City News (Toronto, Canada): Singapore PM’s brother joins opposition party ahead of polls
Sina News (China): 新加坡大选在即，李光耀次子李显扬加入反对党
Jakarta Post: Singapore PM’s estranged brother joins opposition party as election looms
Politiko (Philippines): Singapore PM’s brother joins opposition before polls
Taiwan News: Singapore PM’s brother joins opposition party ahead of polls
SCMP (HK): Singapore PM’s brother Lee Hsien Yang joins opposition party ahead of July 10 election
The Star (Malaysia): Singapore PM’s estranged brother joins opposition party as election looms
Hindu Times (India): Singapore PM’s estranged brother joins opposition party as election looms
Times of India: Singapore PM’s brother joins opposition before polls
Anadolu Agency (Turkey): Singapore premier’s brother joins rival as polls loom
New Castle Herald (Australia): Singapore PM’s brother joins opposition
RTHK News (Hong Kong): Singapore PM’s estranged brother joins opposition
France 24: Singapore PM’s brother joins opposition before polls
British Herald (UK): Singapore PM’s Estranged Brother Joins Opposition Party Ahead Of Election
The Standard (HK): Lee Hsien Yang, Singapore PM’s brother, joins opposition
Fiji Times: Singapore PM’s estranged brother joins opposition party as election looms
US News: Singapore PM’s Estranged Brother Joins Opposition Party as Election Looms
Although mainstream media in Singapore is not making a big deal out of Hsien Yang joining the alternative party for obvious reasons, but news media all over the world are certainly taking notice.
