The Fight Over Lee Kuan Yew’s House

The late Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, was a highly respected leader known for his vision and dedication to transforming the country from a small port city into a global economic powerhouse. His passing in 2015 left a void in the hearts of many Singaporeans, who continue to hold him in high regard.

One of the most contentious issues that has arisen since Lee Kuan Yew’s death is the fate of his house at 38 Oxley Road. The property holds significant historical and sentimental value, as it was not only the family home of Lee Kuan Yew for over 70 years but also served as the birthplace of the People’s Action Party (PAP), the ruling political party in Singapore.

After Lee Kuan Yew’s passing, his children found themselves embroiled in a bitter dispute over the future of the house. His eldest son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, expressed his desire to honor his father’s wish to demolish the house, citing concerns over preserving his father’s legacy and preventing the property from becoming a place of pilgrimage that could disrupt the neighborhood.

However, Lee Kuan Yew’s other children, Lee Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yang, disagreed with their brother’s stance. They claimed that their father’s true intention was to have the house demolished after Lee Wei Ling’s eventual departure from the property, and accused their brother of using his position as Prime Minister to influence the decision-making process.

The dispute escalated into a public feud, with both sides airing their grievances on social media and through public statements. The matter was also brought before a parliamentary committee, which ultimately concluded that the house should be preserved as a heritage site but left the final decision to the government.

In 2019, the government announced that it would not be gazetting the house as a national monument, leaving the fate of the property uncertain. The Lee siblings have since reached a settlement, with Lee Hsien Yang agreeing to donate artifacts from the house to the National Heritage Board and the property remaining in his ownership.

The fight over Lee Kuan Yew’s house has highlighted the complexities of preserving historical sites and the challenges of balancing personal wishes with public interest. While the matter may have been resolved for now, it serves as a reminder of the importance of communication, compromise, and respecting the legacy of a beloved leader like Lee Kuan Yew.