Lee Hsien Yang attended a fundraiser for The Online Citizen on Saturday, July 6, 2019.

The event was held at FiftyRafflesPlace, a glass penthouse located on the 45th level of Singapore Land Tower.

The event was also attended by Workers' Party's members of parliament, such as Daniel Goh, Leon Perera, Dennis Tan, and chief Pritam Singh.

Other recognisable figures included Chee Soon Juan, Tan Cheng Bock, Tan Jee Say, Paul Tambyah, and Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss.

Lee Suet Fern, Lee Hsien Yang's wife, was also in attendance.

Lee Hsien Yang's public outings

This was the third time Lee Hsien Yang, younger brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, hung out with members of the opposition.

He was previously spotted having breakfast with Tan Cheng Bock in November 2018 and another time in February 2019.

Event purpose

Entry to the private TOC event was ticketed. Each ticket was priced at S$100.

The stated purpose of the fundraiser was to help TOC build up its war chest for the upcoming general election coverage, which has to take place before April 2021.

Volunteers with TOC helped put the event together.

The swanky venue in Raffles Place, known for pulling in the CBD crowd for after-work drinks, served alcohol and dinner to those who paid to attend.

No mention was made as to how much was contributed by attendees and well-wishers, but TOC operator Terry Xu said the website did not raise enough to tide through the next three months.

He also wrote that the expected turnout was initially thought not to be good and the event would not go well, but there was a late sale of tickets and Singapore's opposition politicians showed up in force.

A fireworks display that provided the backdrop that evening was coincidental, as it was believed to be part of National Day Parade rehearsal preparations in the area.

What opposition politicians said

Various opposition politicians subsequently wrote short messages post-event to thank TOC for its work as an independent media in Singapore:

https://www.facebook.com/danpsgoh/photos/a.573814819347932/2441035975959131/https://www.facebook.com/cheesoonjuan/posts/10159172106428849

Opposition get-together

The opposition political party members have been having their own get-together sessions.

The previous time they huddled was during Chinese New Year at Tan Cheng Bock's house, prompting talk of opposition unity and Workers' Party changing its approach.

Lee Hsien Yang activities as of late

Lee Hsien Yang, 62, has been in the media as of late for his high-profile outings and support for those outside of the establishment.

He recently attended Pink Dot on June 29 accompanied by his wife, second son Li Huanwu, as well as Li’s husband Heng Yirui.

In May, Lee Hsien Yang paid the S$20,000 security deposit for Singaporean activist Jolovan Wham’s contempt of court appeal.

In December 2018, Lee Hsien Yang has confirmed that he had donated money to blogger Leong Sze Hian, who is facing a defamation suit filed by PM Lee and is crowdfunding for donations.

The amount given was not disclosed.