Fathership

Lee Hsien Yang allegedly bought luxurious properties in Japan and UK before claiming asylum

Before their departure, sources close to the couple claimed that they liquidated significant assets in Singapore, including properties and valuable collections.

|2 min read
Lee Hsien Yang allegedly bought luxurious properties in Japan and UK before claiming asylum

Lee Hsien Yang and his wife, Lee Suet Fern, have been central figures in a protracted dispute that has captivated Singapore's public discourse.

Despite their claims of political persecution, the couple left Singapore in 2022 before a scheduled police interview and have not returned since.

Throughout this period, they have remained free to enter and leave the country like any other citizens, raising questions about the validity of their persecution claims.

Bought luxury properties in Japan and the UK

Before their departure, sources close to the couple claimed that they liquidated significant assets in Singapore, including properties and valuable collections.

They are said to have invested in high-end real estate in countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom. This strategic relocation of wealth has led to speculation about their intentions and long-term plans.

After settling abroad, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Suet Fern sought political asylum in the UK, portraying themselves as victims of political oppression.

They have openly criticised Singapore on international platforms, actions that some believe could tarnish the nation's reputation on the global stage.

Lee Hsien Yang knows the optics matter, not the truth

Analysts suggest that the rift between the siblings extends beyond familial disagreements and has evolved into a deep-seated rivalry.

There are concerns that Lee Hsien Yang's actions are driven by a desire to undermine his brother, potentially at the expense of their late father's legacy and Singapore's international standing.

While Lee Hsien Yang positions himself as advocating for justice in honour of Lee Kuan Yew, critics argue that his decision to leave the country, seek asylum, and bankrolls cynical alternative media to criticise Singapore contradicts the principles their father upheld.

Singapore's strong rule of law is one of Lee Kuan Yew's most enduring legacies. The nation's legal system operates on the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of status or lineage. This commitment to justice and equality has been a cornerstone of Singapore's success and global reputation for integrity.

In contrast, some observers point out differences in legal accountability between Singapore and the UK, where Lee Hsien Yang currently resides.

They note that the UK's political environment has faced criticism over issues such as acceptance of luxurious gifts by politicians and challenges in addressing certain crimes, highlighting the robust governance standards that Singapore maintains.

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Who is Nurul Afiqah, the activist who stormed Law Minister K Shanmugam's MPS?

Locum nurse by day, local disruptor by night.

|4 min read
Who is Nurul Afiqah, the activist who stormed Law Minister K Shanmugam's MPS?

What started as a polite exchange at a Meet-the-People Session (MPS) on Wednesday evening (Mar 12), spiraled into chaos at the Chong Pang Branch office in Nee Soon GRC.

Law Minister K Shanmugam found himself squaring off against a group of activists who stormed the session with a singular demand: a rhetorical back and forth over the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA)—Singapore’s 2019 weapon against online lies, and Palestine.

Activists branded Shanmugam a “coward,” flashed middle fingers, and clashed with volunteers trying to capture the melee on video.

Who Is Nurul Afiqah?

Enter Nurul Afiqah, aka Afiqah Kamel—a rising star in Singapore’s activist galaxy. By day, she’s a locum staff nurse; by conviction, she’s a megaphone for the downtrodden, tethered to Sick and Tired, a collective amplifying the voices of healthcare workers and patients.

Her first foray into public activism was on Labour Day 2024, Afiqah seized the mic, railing against the paltry wages and grueling conditions plaguing grassroots healthcare staff. But her fire burns beyond the hospital's burn unit—she’s a fierce advocate for Palestine.

Afiqah Kamel

Since December 8, 2023, she’s hosted Chapterwise Bookclubs every Friday night, first at Punggol - where she resides, and later on at Our Tampines Hub.

These aren’t your average book chats; they’re curated deep dives into the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Her activist streak flared in February 2024 with a cheeky “Free Airshow Attendee Shaming Service”—a satirical jab at Israel’s role in the Singapore Airshow.

Hungry for bigger waves, she teamed up with seasoned rabble-rouser Suraendher Kumaar, trading quiet defiance for full-on disruption.

The art of disruption

Afiqah’s baptism into disruptive activism kicked off on September 16, 2024, alongside Suraendher, targeting MP Edward Chia’s MPS in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

Edward Chia MPS

Armed with pointed questions about Singapore’s alleged ties to Israel’s actions in Palestine, they unleashed a verbal barrage. Chia humored them, and the night ended in a tense “agree to disagree,” with vague promises of follow-ups.

A month later, they cornered MP Sun Xueling—Afiqah’s own Punggol West rep—at her MPS.

The script was familiar: Singapore-Israel ties took center stage, and the back-and-forth felt like a broken record.

By January 2025, REACH, the government’s feedback arm, dangled a closed-door chat. Afiqah and her posse pushed for an open forum but got shut down.

REACH Meeting

The Playbook

The group, operating under the banner we.the.pofma, developed a clear modus operandi: "raid" MPS sessions, pose leading questions about Singapore-Israel ties, present a petition signed by over 70 people condemning Israel, and share interaction summaries on Instagram.

They’ve rallied the public with a battle cry—join the “ongoing initiative,” complete with talking points, constituency hit lists, and post-raid recaps.

Activist Strategy

Interactions reviewed by Fathership suggest the group plans to intensify MPS visits in the lead-up to anticipated elections later in 2025.

The People’s Action Party (PAP) tallies over 10 such ambushes across constituencies in recent months. They’ve slammed the group’s antics as disruptive and antisocial, lamenting the hijacking of a forum meant to serve residents.

Afiqah’s rebel alliance

Afiqah’s activism intersects significantly with Suraendher Kumaar (sometimes spelled Kumarr), a veteran activist known for championing workers’ rights, labor issues, minority rights, and the Palestine cause. Suraendher leads we.the.pofma, a seemingly collaborative group tied to prominent activists like Kokila, Kirsten Han, PJ Thum, Jolovan Wham, and Elijah Tay.

Activist Network

Suraendher Kumaar

His network also includes ties to Leon Perera, a former Workers’ Party member who resigned in 2023 over an infidelity scandal with Nicole Seah. Perera notably served as a keynote speaker at the launch of Suraendher’s People’s Manifesto in July 2024.

Afiqah, through Suraendher Kumar also works closely with SDP Young Democrats.

SDP Young Democrats

Afiqah’s on a collision course with Singapore’s status quo, hell-bent on spotlighting the Israel-Palestine saga and picking apart policies like POFMA.

She has opted for disruptive activism because her Chapterwise Book Club meets weren't impactful enough to change the world.

Trading quiet enlightenment for loud MPS ambushes proved disruptive activism is the real spice of life when polite discussion just won't cut it.