Alright, so the reckless brother decided to up the ante and claims he's a political refugee in the UK now, suggesting, albeit indirectly (which prompts some suspicion) that he was granted asylum in Britain (though nobody can actually confirm this).
Lee Hsien Yang says he's persecuted by the authorities in Singapore but expressed hope he could return one day, when it's "safe".
But what does "safe" mean?
He and his wife ran away ahead of an interview with the police regarding their lies under oath – which, to my knowledge, is a crime in every country on this planet, because truthful testimonies are the bedrock of an effective justice system.
So, "safe" would mean that they would no longer face prosecution. But how exactly does he expect that to happen?
Let's even assume that PAP loses the election one day and the opposition takes over.
Does he expect they're going to then stack the police and judiciary with loyal people who will make his case disappear?
Police is obligated to investigate the crime and AGC makes the decision to pursue it on the basis of collected evidence.
Since both he and his wife were found to have been dishonest during her disciplinary proceedings – carried out by the top justices of the country – police had to interview them to collect evidence for the AGC to decide whether there's a case to be made or not.
And unlike in most other countries, Singapore doesn't have any limitation period for criminal offences, so they cannot merely wait it out.
The only person who can legally cease the investigation into Lee Hsien Yang's crimes is Attorney General – but he cannot be removed and requires presidential consent to be appointed.
Even if the opposition wins the GE one day, it would first have to wait for the tenure of whomever is in charge of the AGC to expire and then secure presidential approval for his replacement.
Which really means they would have to win both the parliamentary and presidential elections to appoint someone taking orders.
With Tharman in the Istana there's absolutely no chance for the opposition to contest the PE for as long as he stays in office – which can be 10 to 20 years if he's in good health and willing, since there are no term limits in Singapore.
But even if all stars align and the opposition takes over everything, waits long enough for all top roles to be vacated and has replacements appointed – does Lee Hsien Yang seriously think they would expend political capital to save such a controversial figure?
Lee Kuan Yew's youngest son appears to think a little too highly of himself. Yes, he has attracted support of many critics of the PAP but it's hard to call them the mainstream.
How many Singaporeans are really touched by sob stories of a multimillionaire who has coasted on his family name all his life and is now living a jet set lifestyle abroad, while they are complaining about the price of a plate of rice and a 10 cent hike on public transit fares? He's not very relatable.
Secondly, he has joined the PSP, which couldn't even win a seat in the parliament and has to rely on generosity of the NCMP scheme.
It's quite improbable that any party other than WP could lead any alternative government of the future. Would it risk bailing out one of the Lees, especially a member of a competing camp and a highly divisive figure in the society?
It would take an improbable alignment of conditions for Lee Hsien Yang to ever dream about his criminal investigation going away, permitting him a return to Singapore.
PAP would have to lose the majority in the parliament and the presidency; Attorney General would have to retire and be replaced by a friendly figure, with the consent of an equally friendly new president, appointed by opposition government which would have to be willing to risk angering a large portion of the society by reviving the contentious Lee conflict right after its own historic victory.
Let's be honest, LHY is banking on a miracle. That's why he's never going to see Singapore again.
