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Singapore PM says wants to avoid legal action against siblings

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Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/overseas/07/03/loong-rtr-070317.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at the International Conference on The Future of Asia in Tokyo, Japan. <cite>Kim Kyung-Hoon, Reuters/File Photo</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div>SINGAPORE - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wants to avoid legal action against his brother and sister over allegations of having abused his power in a dispute over their late father&#x27;s house, he told parliament on Monday.Lee was speaking in the city-state&#x27;s parliament before fielding questions from lawmakers in a special sitting on the issue.Lee said he would have sued in normal circumstances, before explaining that any such action would &quot;further besmirch my parents&#x27; names&quot; and drawn out legal proceedings would distract and cause distress to Singaporeans.&quot;Therefore, fighting this out in court cannot be my preferred choice,&quot; the prime minister said. Lee was set to face questions at a special sitting of <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/video/overseas/06/20/17/singapore-pm-lee-to-face-parliament-to-address-family-feud">parliament</a> on Monday over whether he had abused his power in a dispute with his brother and sister over what to do with their late father&#x27;s house.The bad blood between the heirs of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore&#x27;s first prime minister, has gripped the country since mid-June, when the younger siblings launched a series of attacks on their elder brother in social media postings.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/06/14/17/singapore-prime-ministers-siblings-say-they-feel-threatened">READ: Singapore prime minister&#x27;s siblings say they feel threatened</a></li></ul>Monday&#x27;s parliamentary session is extraordinary for Singapore, a small but wealthy island state that prides itself on being a rock of stability in Southeast Asia.The prime minister will make an official statement about the matter before taking questions. Prime Minister Lee&#x27;s ruling People&#x27;s Action Party (PAP) controls 83 of the 89 elected seats in parliament, and lawmakers submitted their questions in writing at the end of last week.In a rare move, the prime minister removed the Party Whip for the debate, allowing PAP lawmakers to question their own cabinet regardless of the party line.The prime minister&#x27;s younger brother and sister, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, allege Lee Hsien Loong has abused his power in the dispute over the old family home at 38 Oxley Road, and fear that he would use the organs of the state against them.Lee Hsien Yang said he and his wife, lawyer Lee Suet Fern, would be leaving Singapore because they felt closely monitored and hugely unwelcome.The prime minister has consistently denied the allegations, and said he was very disappointed that they have chosen to publicize private family matters.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/06/15/17/singapores-first-family-should-quit-politics-brother">READ: Singapore&#x27;s first family should quit politics: brother</a></li></ul>

SINGAPORE - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wants to avoid legal action against his brother and sister over allegations of having abused his power in a dispute over their late father's house, he told parliament on Monday.

SINGAPORE - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wants to avoid legal action against his brother and sister over allegations of having abused his power in a dispute over their late father's house, he told parliament on Monday.