SINGAPORE: The National Heritage Board and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) announced today (Nov 3) that the site of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s former home at 38 Oxley Road is slated for preservation as a national monument.
In a joint statement, the government statutory boards said the Preservation of Sites and Monuments (PSM) Advisory Board had completed its evaluation of the site and determined that it holds great historic merit and is worthy of preservation.
Following the Board’s assessment and NHB’s recommendation, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo has indicated his intention to gazette the property as a national monument.
“The site bore witness to discussions and pivotal decisions that shaped the course of Singapore’s history to become an independent nation,” said Mr Neo, “The intention to gazette the site as a national monument recognises its historic significance and national importance. This will preserve a key part of our independence journey for future generations.”
The Government also announced its intention to acquire the property should a Preservation Order be made, to safeguard it and preserve it in keeping with its historic significance.
If preserved and acquired, the site will be converted into a public space, with one possible outcome being a heritage park. The statement clarified that the site would not be redeveloped for residential, commercial, or other private uses.
However, the Government has not yet determined the fate of the buildings on the property. Authorities have not been able to assess the current state of the house and its structures, but plan to undertake a detailed study once access is obtained.
“The Government will consider all options, including those proposed by the Ministerial Committee on 38 Oxley Road in 2018, such as partial or full demolition of the buildings and structures,” the statement said, “Regardless of the option taken, the Government will respect Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s wishes, and will remove all traces of Mr Lee’s and his family’s private living spaces from the buildings.”
The future of 38 Oxley Road has been a matter of public discussion for years.
In an interview in 2011, Lee Kuan Yew expressed that he wanted his house demolished after his death or kept as a closed residence for his family and descendants. That same year, the elderly statesman met with the Cabinet then and made known his preferred option to demolish the house.
After Lee Kuan Yew’s death, the will was read in April 2015, and his estate was divided equally among the three siblings. The Oxley house was inherited by his eldest son, with a clause for Lee Wei Ling to stay in it for as long as she desires.
Disagreements about the will created a rift between Lee Kuan Yew’s eldest son, then-PM Lee Hsien Loong, and his younger siblings Lee Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yang. The feud has been ongoing for close to a decade, with the siblings
Lee Hsien Loong sold the house to his brother Lee Hsien Yang, who has claimed that he is currently the sole legal owner of the house.
It is understood that the current shareholders of 38 Oxley Road Private Limited are Lee Hsien Yang and his second son, Li Huanwu.
In its 2018 report, the Ministerial Committee on 38 Oxley Road had concluded that there was no need to make any immediate decision while Dr Lee Wei Ling, Lee Kuan Yew’s daughter, was still residing there.
After the death of Lee Wei Ling on 8 October 2024, the issue reopened with Lee Hsien Yang announcing that he intends to have the house demolished, following the will of their father, and have a new private dwelling built.
An application to demolish the house was made on Oct 21; however, the National Heritage Board indicated on Oct 24, 2024, that it has launched a formal assessment under the Preservation of Monuments Act 2009 to determine whether the site should be preserved.
The URA subsequently deferred any decision on the demolition application while the heritage assessment was ongoing.
NHB has issued a written notice to the owner and occupier of 38 Oxley Road of Acting Minister Neo’s intention to make a Preservation Order. Under the law, the owner and occupier will have a reasonable period to submit objections, which the minister will consider before making a final decision.
If the Preservation Order is made, the Government will proceed with the acquisition and preservation of the site, aiming to make a decision on its long-term treatment within the current term of government.
Lee Hsien Yang has yet to comment on the Government’s plans, at press time.
