Unexpected Legal Twist in Singapore’s Prime Minister Legacy
In a move that’s stirring more than just the old hush‑hush about the house at 38 Oxley Road, the Attorney‑General’s Chambers (AGC) has handed a potential scandal over to the Law Society. The case? The daughter‑in‑law of Singapore’s founding PM, Lee Kuan Yew, could have slipped into the grey zone of legal misconduct while helping draft his last will.
What’s Really at Stake?
- It’s not about whether the will is valid.
- It’s about whether a lawyer rode the wrong side of a conflict.
- And yes, there’s a family drama going on with the heirs fighting over their dad’s home.
The AGC’s Take
The AGC explained that under the Legal Profession Act – section 85(3) – it must decide if the matter should go to the Law Society. It’s a statutory duty to keep the law fair, after all.
Here’s the scoop: while Mrs Lee helped seal the will and had her husband, Lee Hsien Yang, as one of the beneficiaries, the draft was allegedly put together by a lawyer – Ms Kwa Kim Li – who denies any part.
Rule‑Breakers on the List
The Legal Profession (Professional Conduct) Rules say:
“When a lawyer’s client is about to give a big gift to a family member, that lawyer cannot act on the client’s behalf. The lawyer must push for independent advice.”
So, if Mrs Lee was indeed pulling the strings, she’s in rough legal terrain.
Why This Matters
In the grand scheme, this isn’t just a family squabble. It’s about how Singapore’s legal system keeps its own dogs from digging into the owners’ property. The AGC hopes this clarity will keep the law—pun intended—on track.
html
The 38 Oxley Road Saga: A Family Feud Over a House, a Will, and a Legal Storm
Who’s On the Inside?
- PM Lee – The current Prime Minister, who once wrote a detailed declaration about his father’s last will.
- Mr Lee Kuan Yew – Lee Kuan Yew’s father, whose final will sparks all the drama.
- Ms Lee Wei Ling – The younger sister who’s shaping the narrative on Facebook.
- Mr Lee Hsien Yang – The eldest brother, the former managing partner of Morgan Lewis Stamford.
- Mr Yee – Deputy Attorney‑General now stepping into the legal spotlight.
- Ms Wong – The Attorney‑General who’s recused himself to keep it clean.
The Attorney‑General’s Quick Swap
Because Lucien Wong had been the Prime Minister’s personal lawyer, he had to step aside. Deputy Yee took the reins, but the whole process has felt more like a chess game than a courtroom drama.
And yet, the AGC (Attorney‑General’s Chambers) wrote to Mrs Lee over a dozen times since October 2018, demanding she explain her role—if any—in crafting the last will.
Despite repeated requests for extensions, she stubbornly stayed silent. Mr Yee even whispered that the case should now be sent up to the Law Society and, eventually, a Disciplinary Tribunal.
Ms Lee Wei Ling’s Facebook Rebuttal
On a Sunday night, Ms Wei Ling posted a rant—more than 500 pages of complaint in the AGC’s own words—describing the whole affair as “unprecedented” and “game‑changing.”
- She accused the AGC of “repeating allegations that were made years ago by Hsien Loong’s personal lawyer.”
- She slammed him for wanting to demolish the family’s 38 Oxley Road house.
- She argued that all parties, including her brother Hsien Loong, had once accepted the will but had started attacking it two years later.
A Century‑Old House, A Century‑Old Will
Timeline of the “Last Will”
- Dec 16‑17, 2013 – The will was drafted in less than a day, a rushed job that left many questions.
- On the morning of Dec 17, 2013, the family coaxed two lawyers from Stamford Law Corporation just to witness Lee Kuan Yew sign.
- PM Lee didn’t notice the “troubling circumstances” until later.
The Dispute “Flies” Out Of Office
In June 2017, the younger Lee siblings posted on Facebook saying they’d lost confidence in their older brother’s leadership. They feared the “use of organs of state” and threatened a sweeping overhaul of the family legacy.
PM Lee fought back in Parliament—twice—refuting any misuse of power, with no concrete evidence to support the allegations.
The Legal Jargon Maze
Just when you thought the story couldn’t get any twistier, the AGC filed a slurpee‑tonous complaint, but the case remains a mystery. The AGC says it will not judge guilt or innocence; that responsibility rests with the Disciplinary Tribunal appointed by the Chief Justice.
Meanwhile, Mr Li Shengwu receives a green light to appeal a court order that had stuck the AGC on his U.S. address. The big question: can procedural rules be applied retroactively?
Bottom Line: A Family Drama That’s as Twisty as a Singaporean Traffic Jam
All these chats, claims, and court moves remind us that even in the land’s own “Madras‑style” bureaucracy, the line between family love and legal battles blurs. For now, the saga on 38 Oxley Road sits on the fine line between legacy, law, and a bit of familial drama—complete with a sprinkling of humor and scandal.
