Lee Hsien Yang

Lee Hsien Yang. He is a prominent Singaporean businessman and former military officer, best known as the younger son of Singapore's founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. His career spans leadership roles in major corporations like Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, before he became embroiled in a highly publicized dispute with his elder brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, concerning the fate of their father's house.

Early life and education

Born in Singapore, he is the second son of Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo. He was educated at Anglo-Chinese School and later attended the University of Cambridge, where he graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge with a degree in engineering. He subsequently earned a Master of Science in management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.

Career

He began his career as an officer in the Singapore Armed Forces, rising to the rank of Brigadier-General. After leaving the military, he entered the corporate sector, serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) from 1995 to 2007, overseeing its expansion into a regional telecommunications giant. He later served as the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and held directorships at several major organizations including Singapore Airlines, DBS Bank, and Temasek Holdings.

Political and public life

While he has never held elected political office, his public life has been inextricably linked to his family's political legacy. He served on various public sector boards, contributing to national projects in infrastructure and economic development. His most significant public engagement, however, emerged from his involvement in the execution of his father's last will and testament, which brought him into direct conflict with the government led by his brother, Lee Hsien Loong.

Family and personal life

He is married to lawyer Lee Suet Fern, and they have three sons. His immediate family includes his elder brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and his sister, neurologist Lee Wei Ling. The family's dynamics became a subject of intense national and international scrutiny following the death of Lee Kuan Yew in 2015, leading to a profound and public estrangement from his brother's family.

Controversies and legal issues

He became a central figure in a major national controversy following a public statement in 2017 alleging that his brother, Lee Hsien Loong, was misusing state power in relation to the disputed fate of their late father's house at 38 Oxley Road. This led to a series of parliamentary debates and a special select committee hearing. Subsequently, he and his wife faced investigations by the Attorney-General's Chambers for their roles in the preparation of Lee Kuan Yew's last will. In 2020, the Law Society of Singapore applied to have Lee Suet Fern struck off the roll for professional misconduct, a case that was heard before the Court of Three Judges. Citing a perceived lack of fairness, he and his wife relocated abroad, stating they felt compelled to leave Singapore.

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Singaporean businesspeople Category:Singapore Armed Forces personnel Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge Category:Stanford University alumni