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Lee’s house – preserve but let descendants decide on accessibility

Published

10 years ago

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lkyhouse

Whatever you may think of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, the fact remains that he is and will be the symbol of Singapore for many years to come.

Lee Kuan Yew is more recognised and iconic, one might argue, than the 78-metre Control Tower at Changi Airport, or the Merlion located at One Fullerton, or the Gardens by the Bay.

The name “Lee Kuan Yew” itself is synonymous with Singapore.

And so his death has brought about an upsurge of interest in all things having to do with the man – from his books to his DVDs, from his personal belongings and personal stories, to his home and whether it should be demolished, as he had requested and indeed willed.

The last has become such an issue of public interest and concern that Lee’s younger son and daughter have issued a statement to clarify and reiterate their late father’s wishes regarding the matter.

The siblings’ statement disclosed what Lee had said in his will:

“I further declare that it is my wish, and the wish of my late wife, KWA GEOK CHOO, that our house at 38 Oxley Road, Singapore 238629 (“the House”) be demolished immediately after my death or if my daughter, Wei Ling, would prefer to continue living in the original house, immediately after she moves out of the House. I would ask each of my children to ensure our wishes with respect to the demolition of the House be carried out.”

The two children then said:

“Our father has made public this wish on many occasions, including in his book Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going. In addition, both our parents have expressed this same wish with respect to our family home to their children in private on numerous occasions. Indeed, he stated in his Lee Kuan Yew Will that ‘My view on this has been made public before and remains unchanged’.”

You can read the full statement by Lee’s two children here: “Statement by Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, urging the will of Lee Kuan Yew to be respected”.

As the children’s statement said, Lee had indeed declared his preference on several occasions.

“I’ve told the Cabinet, when I’m dead, demolish it,” Lee had said in the abovementioned book.

“I don’t think my daughter or my wife or I, who lived in it, or my sons who grew up in it, will bemoan its loss. They have old photos to remind them of the past,” he said.

“I’ve seen other houses, Nehru’s, Shakespeare’s. They become a shambles after a while,” he said, the former referring to India’s independence hero Jawaharlal Nehru.

Lee had also once decried how old British buildings cost millions of pounds a year to upkeep, and how some are so run down they are infested with termites.

What then is the reason for Lee’s insistence that his house, which clearly interests many people, be torn down?

Well, the reason seems to be quintessential Lee – pragmatism.

“Because of my house the neighbouring houses cannot build high,” he told the interviewers for his book. “Now demolish my house and change the planning rules, go up, the land value will go up.”

So, it is because Lee wants his neighbours to benefit from the potential increase in the value of their properties.

One would say it is typical Lee.

But perhaps matters are so no simple. In fact, when it comes to Lee, few things are straightforward, even though the man himself was a straight talker.

Lee’s house was the site of several events which took place at a historically significant time leading to Singapore’s statehood and thereafter.

It was, for example, the venue of many meetings of the People’s Action Party (PAP), meetings which would have momentous consequences for Singapore.

And with the passing of most of the old guards of Singapore’s founding political leadership, such historical sites have become important for what is essentially still a fledgling nation which celebrates its 50th year of independence this August.

If nothing else, the house of Lee will be a symbol of the struggle of a people for self-identity.

Lee himself, in fact, realised the importance of preserving such old buildings or sites of heritage and history.

He said in 1995:

“We made our share of mistakes in Singapore. For example in our rush to rebuild Singapore, we have knocked down many old and quaint Singapore buildings. Then we realized we were destroying a valuable part of our cultural heritage that we were demolishing what tourists found attractive and unique in Singapore. We halted the demolition. Instead, we undertook extensive conservation and restoration of ethnic districts such as Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam and of the civic district, with its colonial era buildings: the Empress Place, old British Secretariat, Parliament House, the Supreme Court, the City Hall, the Anglican Cathedral, and the Singapore Cricket Club.

“The values of these areas in architectural, cultural and tourism terms cannot be quantified only in dollars and cents.

“We were a little late, but fortunately we have retained enough of our history to remind ourselves and tourists of our past. We also set out to support these attractions by offering services of the highest standard.”

Ironically, Lee’s house could be one of the most important buildings in Singapore, in terms of its physical existence and its historical importance.

And he wasn’t all against its preservation, actually.

“If our children are unable to demolish the House as a result of any changes in the law, rules or regulations binding them,” Lee said in his will, “it is my wish that the House never be opened to others except my children, their families and descendants.”

One can only wonder why Lee would insist on such a condition.

Perhaps he does not want to be an idol of worship, something which he had disavowed when he was alive. Or he does not want himself and/or his house of more 70 years – an intimate home which he shared with his wife and children – to be turned into a tourist attraction to be gawked at.

These reasons would be reasonable and understandable.

Still, the question remains: should his house be preserved?

There is every reason to do so.

Should it be accessible to the public?

Perhaps not at the moment, since Lee had just passed and it is only right that we observe and respect his wish.

Perhaps in the distant future, when enough time has passed, his future generation would decide to open it to the public. It is right to leave such a decision to Lee’s family.

But it should not be demolished because the history of the house, even as it belongs to Lee, also belongs to the nation.

Thus preserve the physical house, but allow future generation of Lee’s descendants to decide to open it to the public.

“We were a little late, but fortunately we have retained enough of our history to remind ourselves and tourists of our past.”

The above article was first published on Public Opinion.

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Ng Eng Hen: Dust clouds likely caused armoured vehicle collision during Exercise Wallaby

Dust clouds limiting visibility likely contributed to the collision between two Hunter vehicles during Exercise Wallaby, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen explained in his parliamentary reply. 12 servicemen sustained mild injuries, but safety measures prevented more serious outcomes. A formal investigation is ongoing to ensure further safety improvements.

Published

2 days ago

on

16 October 2024

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SINGAPORE: Low visibility caused by dust clouds was identified as the likely cause of the collision between two Hunter armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) during Exercise Wallaby last month, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a written parliamentary response on Tuesday (15 October).

The incident, which occurred in Queensland, Australia, on 24 September 2024, resulted in mild injuries to 12 servicemen.

Dr Ng’s statement was in response to a parliamentary question from Mr Dennis Tan, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Hougang SMC.

Mr Tan asked for details on the accident, specifically its cause and whether any lessons could be applied to enhance training and operational safety within the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

The collision took place during a night-time movement of Hunter AFVs at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

The vehicles were returning to base when one rear-ended another. Dr Ng explained that the dust clouds generated by the AFVs’ movement significantly impaired visibility, might likely contributing to the accident.

The 12 affected servicemen sustained mild injuries and were promptly taken to the nearest medical facility.

None of the injuries required hospitalisation, and all 12 servicemen were able to rejoin their units for training the next day.

According to the minister, adherence to safety protocols—such as wearing seat belts and protective gear—played a crucial role in limiting the injuries to mild ones.

Following the incident, a safety pause was immediately implemented, with all drivers being reminded to maintain proper safety distances, especially when visibility was compromised.

Troops were also reminded to adhere strictly to safety protocols, including the proper use of safety equipment, Dr Ng added.

The safety lessons from the incident were shared not only with the affected units but also with other participating groups in the exercise, as well as units back in Singapore, through dedicated safety briefings.

Mr Tan also asked about the broader implications of the incident. In his response, Dr Ng said that a formal investigation had been launched in accordance with SAF’s safety incident protocol.

The investigation aims to assess the circumstances more thoroughly and identify any further measures that could be taken to enhance safety.

Dr Ng shared that recommendations arising from the investigation will be implemented where necessary.

Exercise Wallaby is SAF’s largest unilateral overseas exercise, and the 2024 edition began on 8 September, running until 3 November.

The exercise involves approximately 6,200 personnel, including 500 operationally ready national servicemen.

The exercise has been conducted at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland since 1990, and it is a key part of SAF’s overseas training program.

The Hunter AFV, one of the vehicles involved in the collision, is a state-of-the-art platform jointly developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency, the Singapore Army, and ST Engineering.

It replaced the SAF’s aging fleet of Ultra M113 AFVs in 2019, which had been in service since the 1970s. The Hunter is equipped with advanced features, including a 30mm cannon, a 76mm smoke grenade launcher, and an automatic target detection and

tracking system designed to enhance operational effectiveness. It is also capable of traveling at increased speeds and covering longer distances, making it a versatile asset for the SAF.

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Current Affairs

Government to “carefully consider” Lee Hsien Yang’s demolition application for 38 Oxley Road

The Singapore Government will “carefully consider” Mr Lee Hsien Yang (LHY)’s application to demolish the house at 38 Oxley Road. LHY announced his intent on Tuesday morning following the recent death of his sister, Dr Lee Wei Ling, reaffirming his commitment to honour his parents’ wish for the house’s demolition.

Published

3 days ago

on

15 October 2024

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The Singapore Government has indicated that it will “carefully consider” Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s (LHY) application to demolish the family home at 38 Oxley Road.

LHY, the youngest son of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew (LKY), announced his intention to apply for the demolition in a Facebook post on 15 October 2024, following the death of his sister, Dr Lee Wei Ling, on 9 October.

The announcement marks a significant development in the ongoing saga over the fate of the historically significant property, which has been at the heart of a family dispute since LKY’s passing in 2015.

In his will, executed in December 2013, LKY expressed his desire for the house to be demolished “immediately after” Dr Lee moved out of the property. Dr Lee, a prominent neurologist, had been the last remaining resident of the house.

LHY reaffirmed his commitment to carrying out his father’s wishes, stating, “After my sister’s passing, I am the only living executor of my father’s estate. It is my duty to carry out his wishes to the fullest extent of the law.”

He added that he would seek to build a small private dwelling on the site, which would be “held within the family in perpetuity”.

LHY also referenced his brother, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (LHL) remarks in Parliament in 2015, when he was Prime Minister, stating that upon Dr Lee’s passing, the decision to demolish the house would rest with the “Government of the day.”

In response to media queries regarding LHY’s announcement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Development (MND) acknowledged the intended application and emphasised that the Government would “carefully consider issues related to the property in due course”.

The spokesperson also highlighted that any decision would need to balance LKY’s wishes, public interest, and the historical value of the house.

The house at 38 Oxley Road, where key decisions about Singapore’s path to independence were made, has been a focal point of public and political discussion.

The future of the house became contentious in 2017 when LHY and Dr Lee publicly accused their elder brother, LHL, of trying to preserve the house against their father’s wishes for political reasons.

LHL denied the accusations, issuing a Ministerial Statement in Parliament, where he also raised concerns over the preparation of their father’s final will. He clarified that he had recused himself from all decisions regarding the property and affirmed that any government action would be impartial.

In 2018, a “secret” ministerial committee, which was formed in 2016 to study the future of 38 Oxley Road, proposed three options: preserving the property and designating it as a national monument, partially demolishing the house while retaining the historically significant basement dining room, or allowing complete demolition for redevelopment. LHL accepted the committee’s conclusions but stated that no immediate decision was necessary, as Dr Lee was still living in the house.

In a statement conveyed by LHY on behalf of Dr Lee after her passing, she reiterated her strong support for her father’s wish to demolish the house. “My father, Lee Kuan Yew, and my mother, Kwa Geok Choo, had an unwavering and deeply felt wish for their house at 38 Oxley Road to be demolished upon the last parent’s death,” the statement read.

She added, “He had also appealed directly to the people of Singapore. Please honour my father by honouring his wish for his home to be demolished.”

Despite selling the house to LHY at market value in 2015, LHL’s stance regarding the house’s preservation became a public issue, especially after the family disclosed that the Government had raised concerns about reinstating the demolition clause in the 2013 will. The ministerial committee had reviewed the matter, but a final decision was deferred until now.

The fate of 38 Oxley Road remains to be seen, but the Government’s decision will likely have lasting implications for the legacy of the Lee family and the conservation of Singapore’s historical landmarks.

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