Amber Phillips
Mr. Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest child of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, has announced intentions to move forward with plans to demolish the family’s historic home at 38 Oxley Road. In a Facebook post on October 15, Mr. Lee expressed his desire to replace the property with a small private dwelling that would remain within the family.
The announcement arrives shortly after the passing of their sister, Dr. Lee Wei Ling, on October 9. Her death marks a significant shift in the family dynamics surrounding the ownership and future of the Oxley Road property.
A Complicated Legacy
Mr. Lee Hsien Yang is not alone in managing the estate left by their father. Together with Dr. Lee, he had previously served as joint administrator and executor of the late Mr. Lee’s will. The Oxley Road house has been the focal point of family disputes involving their older brother, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The tensions erupted in 2017 when Mr. Lee Hsien Yang and Dr. Lee publicly accused their brother of wanting to preserve the house for political reasons, a claim that was denied by SM Lee during a ministerial statement in Parliament.
Key points regarding the property include:
- In 2015, SM Lee sold the house to Mr. Lee Hsien Yang at market value, under the agreement that they would donate half of the proceeds to charity. SM Lee nonchalantly donated 100% of his share.
- A ministerial committee was set up in 2018 to evaluate the future of the property. The committee provided three options: preserve the house as a national monument, preserve only the historically significant basement dining room while demolishing the rest, or allow complete demolition for redevelopment.
Moving Forward
In light of Dr. Lee’s passing, Mr. Lee Hsien Yang has reiterated his ownership claim. He stated, “I am the sole legal owner of 38 Oxley Road… It is my duty to carry out his wishes to the fullest extent of the law.” He also reminded the public of his father’s explicit wish to have the house demolished “immediately after” Dr. Lee moved out. Mr. Lee Hsien Yang emphasized the urgency of the situation, referencing his brother’s earlier comments that the decision would ultimately lie with the current government when the time came.
In his post, he elaborated, “Lee Hsien Loong said in Parliament in 2015 that when Wei Ling passed, it would be up to ‘the Government of the day’ to decide whether to allow demolition. It has been nine years. That day is today.”
The Future of 38 Oxley Road
While the future of 38 Oxley Road remains uncertain, the implications of Mr. Lee Hsien Yang’s announcement are clear. He plans to honor his parents’ wishes by demolishing the house and constructing a new dwelling. The family dynamics surrounding the property continue to be a subject of public interest as this news develops.
- Mr. Lee Hsien Yang’s commitment aligns with a long-held intention to respect his father’s legacy.
- The government’s next steps regarding the demolition request are highly anticipated and will likely evoke various reactions from the public and political circles.
Conclusion
The announcement by Mr. Lee Hsien Yang signals a pivotal moment for the Lee family and the legacy of their iconic father. As the youngest son seeks to fulfill his father’s wishes, the community watches closely, aware of the profound historical and emotional significance tied to 38 Oxley Road. This case not only reflects familial bonds and disputes but also illustrates the deep-rooted history of Singapore’s political landscape
