Is the long-standing Wee-Gokongwei rivalry over UIC set to soften?

Singapore

THE state of play over Singapore-listed United Industrial Corp (UIC), the biggest office landlord in the city state long embroiled in a tug-of-war between two of South-east Asia's wealthiest families - Singapore's Wee and the Philippines' Gokongwei - could shift gear with the recent passing of billionaire John Gokongwei.

At least, that's what the market may be indicating.

On Monday, following the weekend news of Mr Gokongwei's death, the generally subdued UIC stock saw trading volumes jump nine times higher than the…