Lee Hsien Yang has been granted political asylum in the UK for 5 years. If he does not return to the UK in 10 years, he may lose his citizenship rights.
In a recent statement, Li Xianyang, son of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, announced that he has been granted political asylum in the UK and has received refugee status for five years. This announcement comes amid reports regarding Singapore’s laws that state citizens over 18 who have not returned to the country for a continuous period of ten years may have their citizenship revoked.
According to data from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as of June 2024, a total of 40 Singaporeans have sought asylum in five countries, including the US, where the majority—12 individuals—have successfully secured refuge. Notable among them is Yao Pengshan, who received asylum in 2017.
On his Facebook page, Li Xianyang emphasized that, based on the United Nations Refugee Convention, he is now recognized as a political refugee from Singapore. He asserted that UK authorities have determined he faces “well-founded fears of persecution” and cannot safely return to Singapore.
Since the passing of his father, Lee Kuan Yew, in 2015, Li Xianyang has been embroiled in public disputes with his brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and sister, Li Wei Ling, over the management of their father’s former residence, which has led to a significant strain in their familial relationships and garnered considerable media attention.
In response to media inquiries, the Singapore government reiterated that Li Xianyang’s claims of his family’s persecution are baseless, asserting that he and his wife are not legally restricted and are free to return to Singapore.
Additionally, Minister of Culture, Community and Youth, and Second Minister for Law, Tan Chuan-Jin, stated that the National Heritage Board will examine whether the heritage site at 38 Oxley Road possesses national historical, cultural, or architectural value and will use this analysis for future reference regarding its management.
Li Xianyang has expressed his intention to honor his parents’ wishes by applying to demolish the Oxley Road residence and plans to construct a small private home that will remain in the family’s name.
