Skip to main content

Lee Hsien Yang's Move to Fulfill Lee Kuan Yew's Wish: 38 Oxley Road Demolition

 


Mr Lee Hsien Yang, youngest son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, announced his intention to apply for the demolition of the family home at 38 Oxley Road. This decision comes days after the passing of his sister, Dr Lee Wei Ling, the only daughter of Lee Kuan Yew, who lived in the house until her death.

Lee Hsien Yang's decision aligns with his father’s wishes, as Lee Kuan Yew had repeatedly expressed his desire for the house to be demolished after his death. However, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) have yet to receive any applications regarding the property.

Built in the 19th century, 38 Oxley Road holds historical significance, having been a site of key political meetings that contributed to the formation of Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). Despite Lee Kuan Yew’s wish for its demolition, Cabinet ministers opposed this, leading to a debate over its fate. In his final will, Lee Kuan Yew stated that if demolition was not possible, the house should remain closed to the public and only accessible to family.

The issue gained public attention after Lee Kuan Yew’s death in 2015, when a family dispute between Lee Hsien Yang, his sister, and their brother Lee Hsien Loong, the then prime minister, surfaced. The family accused Lee Hsien Loong of misusing his position for personal gain regarding the property.

A ministerial committee explored the fate of the house in 2017, presenting three options: demolish the house, retain just the historic basement dining room, or preserve the entire house. The issue remains unresolved, with the government yet to make a decision. Political analysts believe that while the house may become a topic of discussion in future elections, it is unlikely to influence voter decisions significantly.



Labels:
Location: Singapore

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Punggol Northshore BTO Plagued by Water Seepage and Electrical Hazards

  ***Update: HDB, Maincon and Consultant has came down to the unit to check. Will update on status once we have more information. A Punggol Northshore BTO homeowner, who moved into his newly renovated flat in July 2024, has voiced frustration over severe water leakage issues that have left his unit unsafe and unlivable. Water has been observed seeping from an electrical powerpoint, with puddles forming on the floor and walls showing bubbling and signs of damage from moisture. The source of the leak appears to be an external wall adjacent to the master bedroom, according to assessments by the main contractor. However, the leakage has already caused significant damage to the flat's walls and paintwork, leaving the homeowner distressed. Adding to the frustration, the main contractor advised the homeowner to avoid using the affected power switches in the living room and bedroom due to the risk of a short circuit. Despite the warning, the homeowner has no choice but to turn on the light...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Gateway to Singapore’s Digital Future, Punggol Coast MRT Station Opens Today!

  The Punggol Coast MRT station, the 17th station on the North East Line (NEL), officially opened on December 10, 2024. Located in the heart of the Punggol Digital District (PDD), it extends the NEL’s total length to 22 km and enhances accessibility for over 200,000 households within a 10-minute walk of an NEL station. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, speaking at the launch, emphasized the station's role in transforming Punggol Town into a vibrant, connected, and sustainable hub. Travel time for Punggol North residents to Outram Park is now reduced to 45 minutes, down from 60 minutes. Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat highlighted the foresight in planning Singapore’s transport infrastructure, such as provisions made two decades ago for the Cross Island Line interchange at Punggol MRT station. This long-term approach underscores Singapore’s commitment to future generations. The station integrates seamlessly with PDD, a 50-hectare smart and sustainable district focusing on digital indus...
Post a Comment
Read more

Queue-Cutting Toyota Raize Causes Chain Collision at Second Link

  Credit: Facebook@ 伟安 A Singapore-registered Toyota Raize was caught on video cutting the queue at the Second Link on Malaysia's side, sparking a chain collision on Dec. 24. The incident, which took place during peak traffic, highlights the dangers of reckless driving at border crossings. Incident Breakdown The Toyota Raize was seen traveling in the heavy vehicles lane before crossing over a double white line to join the congested car lane. Its sudden maneuver caused two other queue-cutting cars behind it to slow down sharply. This led to a lorry, which was traveling in the heavy vehicles lane, ploughing into the two cars. Smoke could be seen rising from the lorry following the impact, but the Toyota Raize appeared to escape unscathed and moved ahead. Meanwhile, the two cars involved in the collision were stopped. Reactions on Social Media The video of the incident drew widespread criticism. Commenters blamed the Toyota Raize for initiating the chain of events while also calling ...
Post a Comment
Read more