Singapore Ambassador Calls Out Misleading Claims in NYT’s ‘How Tyranny Begins’ Video
Singapore’s government has strongly objected to a New York Times (NYT) opinion video featuring Harvard economist Li Shengwu, accusing the publication of advancing its own agenda through misleading comparisons. In an open letter to the NYT editor on January 26, 2025, Singapore’s Ambassador to the United States, Lui Tuck Yew, argued that Li’s portrayal of Singapore as repressive was inaccurate and misleading. The video, titled “How Tyranny Begins”, featured individuals who claimed to have suffered under authoritarian regimes, including those from Russia, Hungary, and Nicaragua.
The controversy began when the New York Times released a video titled “How Tyranny Begins” on January 22, 2025, in which Li Shengwu, the grandson of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, accused his uncle, former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, of using police investigations and criminal prosecutions to remove political opponents. The video juxtaposed Li’s claims with experiences from individuals in Russia, Hungary, and Nicaragua, implying Singapore’s governance was comparable to authoritarian regimes.
Singapore’s Objection to NYT’s Portrayal
Singapore’s Ambassador to the US, Lui Tuck Yew, responded with a formal letter to the NYT editor on January 26, rejecting the comparison of Singapore’s legal system to oppressive regimes. Lui stated that Li was neither exiled, imprisoned, nor stripped of his possessions, adding that he remains a Singaporean citizen and travels freely on a Singapore passport.
Lui emphasized that Singapore’s judicial system upholds the rule of law and that Li’s conviction for contempt of court in 2020—over a 2017 Facebook post criticizing Singapore’s judiciary—was a legal matter, not political persecution.
Legal Standing and Freedom to Return
Lui pointed out that Li is free to return to Singapore at any time and has not faced any new legal investigations since his contempt case. He further suggested that Li could contest in the upcoming General Election, due by November 2025, if he truly wished to challenge Singapore’s leadership through democratic means.
Government Defends Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Record
The ambassador highlighted that Singapore ranks 16th on the 2024 Rule of Law Index, far ahead of the United States, and is ranked the fifth least corrupt nation globally on the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index. Lui contrasted these international rankings with NYT’s claims, arguing that Singapore remains a well-governed, transparent nation.
38 Oxley Road Dispute and NYT’s Reporting on the Lee Family Feud
In a separate letter dated January 15, 2025, Lui also addressed an NYT article published on January 11 regarding the 38 Oxley Road family dispute. He denied the existence of a so-called “first family” in Singapore, stressing that all Singaporeans, including members of the Lee family, are subject to the same laws.
The 38 Oxley Road dispute stems from a long-running feud between former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his younger brother Lee Hsien Yang over the fate of their late father’s residence. Lee Hsien Yang and his wife, Lee Suet Fern, fled Singapore in 2022 after failing to cooperate with a police investigation into potential perjury related to their father’s will. Lui criticized NYT for framing the issue as political persecution, asserting that due legal process was followed.
Singapore Government’s Broader Response to NYT
The Singapore government also addressed broader claims made by Lee Hsien Yang and Li Shengwu, arguing that their allegations against the state serve to distract from personal legal issues. The government stated that Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Suet Fern were found by the courts to have misled their father in executing his will and had subsequently lied under oath.
Lui dismissed accusations that Singapore lacks checks and balances, pointing out that the country has an independent judiciary, elected parliament, and regular elections. He noted that Lee Hsien Yang had considered contesting the last General Election but ultimately withdrew, raising doubts about his political intentions.
This dispute highlights Singapore’s firm stance on media portrayal and governance transparency. The government’s swift response to NYT’s video underscores its commitment to protecting its international reputation against misleading narratives. For Singaporeans, the controversy reflects ongoing debates on media freedom, family disputes, and rule of law. For international observers, it demonstrates how Singapore actively defends its governance model against external criticism.
You can read the entire letter below:
Sources: CNA, Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Singapore NYT Dispute, Li Shengwu Video, Singapore Government Response, Rule of Law Singapore, Media Bias, Freedom of Speech, Lui Tuck Yew, New York Times Controversy, Singapore Democracy, Political Dispute
