FAMILY WAKE:The premier was bombarded with questions about the nature of Ma’s visit following media reports saying that ‘Ma was on a private trip’
Taipei Times
Date: Mar 25, 2015
By: Shih Hsiu-chuan and Alison Hsiao / Staff reporters
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday made an unexpected visit to Singapore to pay
tribute to the late Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew (李光耀), with government officials offering ambiguous answers to questions about in what capacity Ma is making the trip.
Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) told lawmakers during a question-and-answer session at the legislature that Ma was traveling to Singapore as the “head of state.”
A government official, who asked to remain anonymous, said Ma was invited by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (李顯龍), one of Lee Kuan Yew’s sons, to attend a private family wake at the official residence of the prime minister in his capacity as Lee Kuan Yew’s “old friend.” [FULL STORY]