SINGAPORE: It appears that Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with his wife, Ho Ching, recently enjoyed some time with younger members of their family. They were spotted at Amazonia Singapore, an indoor playground and family fun centre at Great World Singapore.
A netizen, Wang Wang Qian Zong (旺旺钱总), saw them and posted a short clip on the Chinese social media site Xiao Hong Shu.
The 72-year-old former Prime Minister and Mdm Ho were together with two little girls. All four of them were dressed in red, with the little ones in red plaid dresses with white trim.
Reports say five security officers were accompanying the family, who were caught on video as they were on an escalator and entering Amazonia Singapore.
“Ran into Singapore’s First Family at GWC,” wrote Mr Xiao.
SM Lee has four children, including a daughter, Li Xiuqi, and a son, Li Yipeng, with his first wife, Wong Ming Yang. The little girls are believed to be the offspring of Ms Li, SM Lee’s daughter, born in 1981.
He also has two sons, Li Hongyi and Li Haoyi, with Mdm Ho, whom he married in 1985. The oldest son of Lee Kuan Yew served as Singapore’s Prime Minister for four terms that spanned two decades, beginning in 2004.
In 2012, he said he did not wish to remain as Premier past his 70th birthday, which fell on Feb 10, 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, threw somewhat of a wrench into his plans, and he stayed on until May this year, sometime after it was announced that Lawrence Wong, who had been Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, would succeed him.
After the media reported on the sighting, many well-wishers said they were happy to see SM Lee taking time to be with his family.
“He had done his job, is already in his 70s, and should enjoy the rest of his golden age. As we know, not many have a chance to enjoy their golden age. Even my dad passed away at 68. So sincerely wish him and spend more time with his grandchildren,” one wrote.
Others said they felt happy for him and that he deserved time with his family.
However, another commented wryly, “Lucky they don’t have to use the green east-west line to reach there,” in reference to the recent SMRT disruptions. /TISG