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PM open to setting up inquiry panel if there is proof of alleged wrongdoing

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday (July 4) there is no need to convene a Committee of Inquiry (COI) or a Parliamentary Select Committee to look into allegations against him made by his siblings, as there were “no specifics to the headline charge of abuse of power”.

Screengrab of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivering his speech in Parliament on July 3, 2017.

Screengrab of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivering his speech in Parliament on July 3, 2017.

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SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday (July 4) there is no need to convene a Committee of Inquiry (COI) or a Parliamentary Select Committee to look into allegations against him made by his siblings, as there were “no specifics to the headline charge of abuse of power”. 

Nevertheless, if Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling continue to make accusations and there is proof of alleged wrongdoing, he would assess these options, PM Lee said.  

Over the two-day Parliamentary debate, several Members of Parliament had raised the prospect of convening an inquiry to end the saga once and for all, citing concerns that the dispute would rage on even after Parliament wraps up its debate on the matter. 

But PM Lee said: “What specifically did I do that was wrong? What was wrong with that? Who was involved? When did it happen?” Not a single Member of Parliament (MP), not even Opposition MPs, have stood behind these allegations or offered any evidence, he noted. 

He questioned whether Select Committees should be set up “to investigate every unsubstantiated allegation, every wild rumour”. It was the job of the MPs to pursue the facts and make those allegations in their own name if they believed something was wrong, instead of merely repeating allegations and attributing them to others, he said.  

“If you think something is wrong, even if you are not fully sure, then come into this House, confront the Government firmly, and ask for explanations and answers,” he said. MPs can demand for a Select Committee or COI if they are not satisfied with the Government replies thereafter. 

The accusers may not be in Parliament, but PM Lee said that should not stop MPs from talking to them, or prevent the accusers from getting in touch with the MPs and raising the issues on their behalf. 

“In fact, that is one reason why Parliamentary Privilege exists, so that MPs can make allegations in the House that are not completely proven and may be defamatory, without fear of being sued for defamation,” added PM Lee. 

On Tuesday, Workers’ Party chief Low Thia Khiang asked PM Lee to “confirm that he will sue his siblings ... or agree to a Select Committee if they make more allegations in public”.

In response, PM Lee said that it depends on what his siblings say, and he will decide accordingly. “If there is serious evidence of alleged wrongdoing, certainly I will decide what to do, and we have to consider a COI, Select Committee, defamation (lawsuit) or there may be other options,” said PM Lee. 

Noting the potential impact on the function of the Government should the issue refuse to go away, Nominated MP Kok Heng Leun said having a COI or Select Committee where the parties involved are invited to attend and make representations would help to resolve the issue.

PM Lee acknowledged that such an avenue would be “desirable”, if all the allegations “came out in one bundle” and could be dealt with at one go. “There is nothing to stop my siblings or anyone else who wants to accuse me on this subject to hold a press conference, play out all the facts and charges, and open themselves to questioning. And then we will be all the wiser … It’s up to them,” he said. 

However, at this point in time, based on what has been said, there is no reason to convene a Select Committee or COI, PM Lee reiterated. “If they say more and it becomes necessary, we will consider it very seriously,” said PM Lee.

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