Singapore founder Lee Kuan Yew’s daughter-in-law vows to fight tribunal ruling on will

A disciplinary tribunal found Lee Suet Fern guilty of grossly improper professional conduct in handling Lee Kuan Yew’s last will

The case will now be referred to the country’s highest disciplinary body for lawyers and she could face a fine, suspension or be disbarred

Reading Time:3 minutes

A commuter passes a signboard bearing an image of Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister of Singapore. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:42pm, 23 Feb 2020Updated: 10:41am, 24 Feb 2020

The daughter-in-law of Singapore’s founding father has vowed to fight a ruling by a disciplinary tribunal that found her guilty of grossly improper professional conduct in handling the late leader’s last will.

“I disagree with the disciplinary tribunal’s report and will fight this strongly when it is heard in open court,” said Lee Suet Fern, the wife of Lee Kuan Yew’s second son Lee Hsien Yang and former head of one of Singapore’s biggest law firms, Stamford Law.

In a statement made to This Week In Asia via WhatsApp on Sunday, she also urged the public to obtain records of the closed-door proceeding and “come to their own independent conclusions”.

She made the comments after several media outlets reported on the tribunal’s ruling, which is related to a long-running family feud around the late Lee’s house that has pitted his older son – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – against his younger siblings.

It also comes as a general election – that must be held before April next year – is expected to take place in Singapore this year.