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Jean Iau

Singapore announced on Friday it took possession of 38 Oxley Road, the former home of its founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, and would study how it could be developed into a public space, ending years of public debate over what to do with the property amid a family feud among the late leader’s children.
In the interim, necessary maintenance works would be carried out as required, and there would be no public access to the site, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and the National Heritage Board (NHB) said in a joint statement.
The possession of the property came even as Lee Hsien Yang, the younger of Lee Kuan Yew’s sons, on Friday reiterated his view that his father was clear he wanted the home to be demolished.
The site was also where events took place that shaped the country’s independence movement and national history.
In January, the SLA and the NHB announced that 38 Oxley Road was gazetted for acquisition.
The government agencies said then that the site would take into account its market value as of the date of the gazette of the acquisition and any claims by parties involved.
Preserving and acquiring the 38 Oxley Road site means that it cannot be redeveloped for residential, commercial or other private uses.

Following patriarch Lee’s death in 2015, his younger children, Lee Hsien Yang and the late Lee Wei Ling, made public in 2017 their conflict with older brother and then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, whom they accused of trying to block the demolition of the home against their father’s wishes. The brothers have been estranged since.
Lee Hsien Yang, who claimed he had received asylum protection in the United Kingdom, said on Friday on social media that “the PAP government has seized control of 38 Oxley Road”.
“My father’s wish was crystal clear: demolish his home. Wei Ling and I sought to honor his wish, as the executors of his will. The compulsory acquisition of his home is a repudiation of his values and a flagrant disregard for his long-held wish. No amount of sophistry can disguise this fact,” said Lee Hsien Yang.

Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore’s first prime minister from 1959 to 1990. He died on March 23, 2015.
The basement dining room is where the founding members of the People’s Action Party held secret meetings and discussed setting up the party in the early 1950s before it was formally launched in 1954.
In November, the minister for culture, community and youth, David Neo, told parliament that the government wanted to preserve 38 Oxley Road as a national monument since the space and its importance could not be replicated elsewhere, including at the coming S$335 million (US$256 million) Founders’ Memorial.
The NHB and SLA said in November that the home was of historic significance and national importance, and worthy of preservation as a national monument “with one possible outcome being a heritage park”.


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Singapore

Singapore takes possession of Lee Kuan Yew’s 38 Oxley Road home for conservation

The front gate of 38 Oxley Road, the home of Singapore’s first prime minister the late Lee Kuan Yew. Photo: EPA

Then Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew speaks at the Commonwealth Press Union conference in Hong Kong in 1990. Photo: AFP

Lee Hsien Yang, the younger son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, has said he was granted political asylum in the UK. Photo: AP

The home of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at 38 Oxley Road has been gazetted for conservation. Photo: Reuters 

Residents walk past the house of Singapore’s late prime minister Lee Kuan Yew on 38 Oxley Road in Singapore. Photo: AFP

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Singapore to preserve 38 Oxley Road for history, not as Lee Kuan Yew memorial

A view of 38 Oxley Road, the residence of Singapore’s first prime minister the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, in Singapore. Photo: EPA

Singapore’s then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew delivering a speech in Hong Kong in 1990. Lee and other members of the People’s Action Party held meetings at his house at 38 Oxley Road in pre-independence Singapore. Photo: AFP

The house of Singapore’s late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew on 38 Oxley Road is set to be preserved as a national monument. Photo: AFP

Lee Hsien Yang, son of Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, speaking to the Associated Press in London last year. He is the current owner of 38 Oxley Road in Singapore. Photo: AP

Singapore’s 38 Oxley Road: will latest move to gazette site end Lee family feud?

The home of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew on 38 Oxley Road. Lee Kuan Yew had reservations about turning his home into a historical site. Photo: Reuters

The home of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew on 38 Oxley Road. The city state’s government is set to preserve the site as a national monument. Photo: AFP

Lee Hsien Yang still owns the 38 Oxley Road property in Singapore. Photo: AP

The mailbox at the house of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew on 38 Oxley Road. Singapore’s government is set to preserve the site as a national monument. Photo: AFP

A view of 38 Oxley Road. The basement dining room is where the founding members of the ruling People’s Action Party held secret meetings and discussed setting up the party in the early 1950s before it was formally launched in 1954. Photo: EPA

The 38 Oxley Road residence in Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew had reservations about turning his home into a historical site. Photo: Reuters

Singapore survey offers rare gauge of public views on 38 Oxley Road – demolish or keep?

A view of 38 Oxley Road, the residence of Singapore’s first Prime Minister the late Lee Kuan Yew. Photo: EPA

Lee Hsien Yang, the younger brother of Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has been granted political asylum in the UK. Photo: AP

Passers-by taking pictures outside 38 Oxley Road, the house of Singapore’s late prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Photo: AFP

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NHB will assess how the site can be developed even as Lee Hsien Yang says ‘no amount of sophistry’ can disguise his father’s demolition wish


NHB will assess how the site can be developed even as Lee Hsien Yang says ‘no amount of sophistry’ can disguise his father’s demolition wish.


Singapore takes possession of Lee Kuan Yew’s 38 Oxley Road home for conservation

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}NHB will assess how the site can be developed even as Lee Hsien Yang says ‘no amount of sophistry’ can disguise his father’s demolition wish

NHB will assess how the site can be developed even as Lee Hsien Yang says ‘no amount of sophistry’ can disguise his father’s demolition wish