Singapore, a global financial hub, is witnessing dramatic family feuds within two of its wealthiest dynasties — the Kweks and the Lees. These disputes, reminiscent of the HBO series Succession, have spilled into the public domain over control of billion-dollar empires.

The Kwek family is embroiled in a bitter public dispute over control of City Developments Limited, the country’s largest listed property developer. Patriarch Kwek Leng Beng, 84, has accused his son, Sherman Kwek, the CEO of CDL, of orchestrating a boardroom coup. In a dramatic move, Kwek Leng Beng filed a lawsuit against his son, alleging “serious lapses of corporate governance” and attempting to remove him from his position.

The feud centers on the appointment of two new directors to CDL’s board, which Kwek Leng Beng claims was done without proper governance. Sherman Kwek, however, denies the allegations, stating that the board’s actions were aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring the company’s long-term success.

The dispute has drawn comparisons to Succession, with the elder Kwek stating, “As a father, firing my son was certainly not an easy decision,” but necessary to restore corporate integrity.

Meanwhile, the Lee family, founders of modern Singapore, is entangled in its own feud. Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest son of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, has been granted asylum in the UK, citing persecution by the Singaporean government led by his brother, Lee Hsien Loong. The rift began over the fate of their father’s home at 38 Oxley Road and has escalated into public accusations of power abuse and dramatic legal battles.

Lee Hsien Yang, a former CEO of Singtel, has accused his brother’s government of launching a politically motivated campaign against him and his family. In a Facebook post, he stated, “I remain a Singapore citizen and hope that someday it will become safe to return home”.

These high-profile feuds highlight the challenges of succession in family-run empires, especially in Asia, where such conflicts are not uncommon. The Kwek family’s battle for control over CDL’s $18 billion USD empire and the Lee family’s deeply personal and political rift underscore the difficulties of balancing family relationships, corporate governance, and public perception.

As these disputes unfold, they serve as a cautionary tale for other family-owned corporations and political dynasties. The outcomes of these power struggles will not only shape the futures of the Kwek and Lee families but could also leave a lasting mark on Singapore’s corporate and political landscape for years to come.

For now, the world watches as these Singaporean dynasties navigate their Succession-like battles, with billions of dollars and family legacies hanging in the balance.