The interview in which Lee discussed the CIA bribery attempt : <a href="https://youtu.be/vNQXLhIcPrc" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://youtu.be/vNQXLhIcPrc</a>
Lee Kuan Yew was an extremely savvy statesman. He likely knew that if he accepted the bribe, he will be forever beholden to the whims of the CIA.<p>Based off his background (old moneyed, Cambridge educated) and how he governed Singapore (with an iron fist), obtaining more wealth was probably low on his list of priorities, what he wants is <i>power</i>.
> "The Americans should know the character of the men they are dealing with in Singapore and not get themselves further dragged into calumny.....They are not dealing with Ngo Dinh Diem or Syngman Rhee. You do not buy and sell this Government."<p>He definitely had character.
<i>The CIA offered to pay then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew USD$3.3 million to cover up the matter.<p>Lee rejected the offer, and asked the U.S. to provide formal economic aid to Singapore instead.</i><p>Wait, so instead of taking the money personally, he just asked the CIA to give it to Singapore? And he still kept it secret?<p>Still sounds like a bribe to me.