LHL's 15-minute visit to Dr Lee Wei Ling's wake raises eyebrows among Singaporeans

On Thursday evening (10 October), Singapore's mainstream media, stationed outside Singapore Casket where Dr Lee Wei Ling's wake was held, reported the arrival of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Ho Ching, to attend his sister's funeral. Dr Lee, the daughter of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on 9 October at the age of 69, at her family home at 38 Oxley Road. Her wake is being held at Singapore Casket from 10 October to 12 October. According to Lianhe Zaobao, SM Lee and Mdm Ho arrived outside Singapore Casket at around 8.30 pm. They reportedly stayed at the wake for about 10 minutes and did not provide any comments to the media. In contrast, the South China Morning Post reported that SM Lee and Mdm Ho stayed for approximately 15 minutes before leaving. A member of the public who paid respects to Dr Lee shared with TOC that SM Lee had written a simple "RIP" in the condolences book. Mr Li Yipeng, the eldest son of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, also attended Dr Lee's wake earlier. Observing comments on social media, some users questioned the brevity of SM Lee's visit to his sister's wake. One user remarked that even attending a friend’s funeral typically lasts at least 30 minutes, asking, "Where can you find a brother who attends his sister's funeral for just 15 minutes?" Others pointed out that it is customary for family members to stay the entire day at a funeral, particularly the eldest brother, who usually greets visitors and offers hospitality, such as refreshments. "That's what family members do," one user noted. A netizen lamented that instead of receiving guests at his sister's wake, LHL appeared as a VIP guest accompanied by bodyguards. Another user expressed sadness over the situation, noting that the eldest brother was attending the wake like any other outsider. The comment highlighted that Lee Hsien Yang, the younger brother, was organizing the funeral remotely and could not return. This led to a broader question among netizens: Would LHL attend his own brother's funeral if he were to pass first?

Some netizens disagreed with the criticism of LHL's attendance at his sister's wake, arguing that, regardless of public sentiment towards the government, this is a personal matter. One comment emphasised the need for objectivity, stating that people cannot judge LHL solely based on appearances or media reports. He questioned what LHL might have done for his sister behind the scenes and pointed out that even if he had stayed longer, some would still find fault with his actions. A comment on Reddit expressed that while LHL doesn't necessarily need to be invited, his absence from receiving mourners as the eldest family member suggests he was not asked or instructed to participate in the funeral proceedings at all. A netizen lamented that family disputes deeply affect one's soul, particularly when reconciliation with a sibling is impossible, even in death. The Reddit comment emphasised the emotional pain that arises from being reminded of happy childhood moments during such difficult times.