SINGAPORE: In a Facebook update on 9 October at 5:30 PM, Lee Hsien Yang (LHY), brother of Dr Lee Wei Ling, shared details about his sister’s funeral wake.

Dr Lee’s wake will be held at Singapore Casket, Pearl & Sapphire Hall, located at 131 Lavender Street, Singapore, from Thursday (10 October 2024) to Saturday.

The visiting hours are as follows:

• 10 October: 2 PM to 10 PM
• 11 October: 10 AM to 10 PM
• 12 October: 10 AM to 1 PM

Dr Lee, the daughter of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 69.

In an earlier Facebook post, LHY mentioned that she died at the family home at 38 Oxley Road.

LHY will likely not return to attend Dr Lee’s funeral, just as his wife was unable to attend her father’s funeral last year.

In response to CNA’s queries, LHY said he would not be returning to Singapore for Dr Lee’s wake and funeral.

He told CNA, “I am organising the funeral remotely with the help of my son Huanwu, in accordance with Ling’s wishes.”

LHY and his family have been embroiled in a dispute over the fate of the 38 Oxley property since the passing of their father, Lee Kuan Yew, in 2015.

In March last year, LHY posted on Facebook, “I am heartbroken that my own country has made me a fugitive for standing up for my father’s promise, Lee Kuan Yew.”

Dr Lee, a noted neurologist, had long been a prominent figure in Singapore’s public and private spheres.

She had chosen to live a life of privacy, never marrying and remaining close to her immediate family, particularly her brother LHY.

LHY requested that no flowers be presented in her memory and instead asked for donations to be made to three charities: Canossa Mission Singapore, Parkinson Society Singapore, and Total Well-Being SG Limited, in honour of Dr Lee’s compassionate spirit.

Illness and Final Years

Dr Lee’s diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy, which she announced in 2020, marked the beginning of a challenging period in her life.

The neurological disorder, often mistaken for Parkinson’s disease in its early stages, progressively impaired her physical movements, vision, balance, and eventually led to difficulty swallowing and an increased risk of pneumonia.

Dr Lee candidly described her condition on Facebook, explaining that for those afflicted with the disorder, death would eventually come for the fortunate.

In a poignant post in March 2023, LHY revealed that Dr Lee had become “extremely unwell.” He expressed deep sorrow over the fact that he might never see his sister again due to his own circumstances.

In 2020, just before the global COVID-19 pandemic, LHY had taken Dr Lee on a memorable trip to Machu Picchu, fulfilling one of her long-held dreams.

Family and Legacy

Dr Lee Wei Ling is survived by her brother LHY, his wife, and their children. She was the only daughter of the late LKY, Singapore’s founding prime minister, and the sister of former Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong (LHL), who is now Senior Minister.

Throughout her life, Dr Lee maintained a close relationship with her family, particularly with LHY, who had taken responsibility for her care following the passing of their father in 2015.

Despite her close family ties, Dr Lee and LHY had a well-publicised falling out with their elder brother, LHL, following their father’s death.

The dispute centred around the family home at 38 Oxley Road, where LKY had lived for most of his life.

Dr Lee and LHY accused their brother of opposing their father’s wish to have the house demolished after his passing. Dr Lee publicly referred to her brother as “the dishonourable son,” a phrase that gained wide attention during the familial dispute.

Contributions and Advocacy

In addition to her professional accomplishments as a neurologist, Dr Lee was known for her candidness and strong advocacy on matters close to her heart.

In her later years, she became an outspoken figure in Singapore, especially regarding issues of legacy, family honour, and her father’s wishes.

Her open discussions about her health and struggles with progressive supranuclear palsy also drew attention to the often-overlooked challenges faced by individuals with rare neurodegenerative diseases.

At her father’s state funeral in 2015, Dr Lee delivered a moving eulogy, where she recalled how she could not allow herself to cry, stating, “I am a Hakka woman.”

Her brother, LHY, referred to this in his tribute to her, saying, “Ling, I am less stoic than you.”

A coalition of concerned citizens and organisations in Singapore has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, urging the government to expedite the formal recognition of the State of Palestine.

This request follows a statement by the Singaporean government on 2 July 2024, expressing its readiness to recognise the Palestinian state “at an appropriate time.”

The coalition believes that such recognition is timely, particularly in light of recent developments and ongoing humanitarian concerns in the region.

The letter highlights the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling of 19 July 2024, which declared Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem as unlawful.

According to the coalition, the ICJ decision reinforces the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and obliges countries to refuse to recognise any illegal changes to the occupied territories.

They argue that Singapore’s recognition of Palestine would affirm the country’s respect for international law and its commitment to a rules-based global order.

Rationale for Expedited Recognition

The letter outlines several reasons why the coalition believes immediate recognition is necessary.

Firstly, it argues that Singapore’s decision would demonstrate a commitment to upholding international legal norms, especially as Singapore has long advocated for a rules-based international system.

According to the coalition, formal recognition of Palestine would align with the ICJ’s call for the global community to support Palestinian rights and end unlawful occupation practices.

Secondly, the coalition emphasises that Singapore’s recognition of Palestine would strengthen the two-state solution, a framework the country has consistently supported.

They note that negotiations between Israel and Palestine have stalled since 2014, and recent actions, including the Israeli Prime Minister’s presentation of a map excluding the West Bank, have further strained prospects for peaceful dialogue.

The coalition argues that waiting for Israel to return to negotiations should not delay the recognition of Palestine, as ongoing violence in the region underscores the urgency of the issue.

Aligning with Global Consensus

The coalition points out that over 140 countries have already recognised Palestine, suggesting that Singapore’s recognition would align with the global majority.

They argue that this move would position Singapore as a principled advocate for peace and justice, reinforcing its diplomatic standing on the international stage. Moreover, recognising Palestine would demonstrate Singapore’s support for international cooperation, which has been a central aspect of its foreign policy.

Addressing Humanitarian Concerns

The ongoing humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories is another critical aspect highlighted by the coalition.

The letter references ongoing suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, including reports of settler violence and significant civilian casualties. The coalition describes this as a pressing humanitarian crisis, with concerns about potential genocide as raised by both the ICJ and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

By recognising the State of Palestine, the coalition suggests that Singapore would take a stance consistent with its values of human rights, fairness, and equality.

Strengthening Diplomatic Relations

The coalition also believes that the recognition of Palestine could enhance Singapore’s diplomatic and economic relations with Palestine and other nations in the international community.

They assert that this move would underline Singapore’s position as a respected voice in advocating for global peace and human rights. In their view, such a decision would contribute to a broader effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and support regional stability.

Conclusion and Call for Action

In the letter, the coalition expresses confidence that recognising the State of Palestine would bolster Singapore’s reputation as a nation committed to fairness and international law.

They urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly, given the escalating violence and humanitarian concerns in the region. They believe that the time for action is now, as Singapore’s recent statements and the ICJ ruling provide a clear basis for formal recognition.

Signatories to the letter include several notable organisations, such as the Centre for Interfaith Understanding, Echoes of Gaza, and SG Climate Rally, alongside individual advocates like former People’s Action Party Members of Parliament Zainal Sapari and Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar; former Nominated Members of Parliament Dr Kanwaljit Soin, Anthea Ong, Braema Mathi, Dr Geh Min, and Kok Heng Leun; as well as historian Thum Ping Tjin. The coalition’s appeal underscores a significant segment of Singapore’s civil society advocating for a proactive approach in support of Palestinian statehood.

The letter concludes by urging the Singaporean government to reflect its values of balanced diplomacy and justice in this decision. It requests a prompt plan for recognition, emphasising that such a step would align with Singapore’s longstanding dedication to international peace and the rule of law. The coalition looks forward to a considered response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

146 of the 193 United Nations (UN) member states have recognized the State of Palestine.

Read the Letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs here.