A 2018 ministerial committee report had assessed that the building has architectural, heritage and historical significance, NHB added. - ST FILE
SINGAPORE: A study of the site of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew’s house at 38 Oxley Road will be done by the National Heritage Board (NHB) to assess if it is worthy of preservation as a national monument.
In a statement on Oct 24, the NHB said the study will determine if the site “has national historical, heritage, and architectural significance as to be worthy of preservation”.
A 2018 ministerial committee report had assessed that the building has architectural, heritage and historical significance, NHB added.
The report had also concluded that while Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s preference was for the building to be demolished, he was prepared to accept options other than demolition. This was provided that suitable arrangements were made to ensure that the building was refurbished and kept in a habitable state and the family’s privacy was protected, NHB said.
NHB noted that Lee Hsien Yang, the current owner of 38 Oxley Road, had made an application on Oct 21 to the URA to demolish the house. But making such a move now will rule out a proper and full consideration of the options, NHB added.
The ministerial report had set out options for the building and also for the site where the building is located.
NHB said these include retaining the entire building, retaining only the basement dining room, or demolishing the building fully but designating the site for alternative use (for example, as a park or a heritage centre).
“These options are not exhaustive. The intention is for a future government to consider these, and other options that could emerge later, and make an informed and considered decision in the fullness of time, taking into consideration the wishes of Lee Kuan Yew,” it added.
NHB said the study will be conducted by its Preservation of Sites and Monuments advisory board, which comprises experts from various sectors.
The board’s recommendation will be submitted to the minister for culture, community and youth, who will decide whether to issue a preservation order for the 38 Oxley Road site under the Preservation of Monuments Act.
If the decision is to preserve the site, NHB will issue a notice of intention to the owner, who may submit any objections to the board “within a reasonable period” before the minister makes a final decision.
Edwin Tong is the current Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.
In a Facebook post on Oct 24, Tong, who is also Second Minister for Law, said: “There is, quite understandably, a range of different views amongst Singaporeans on the matter.
“It is important that we approach the matter with an open mind, as well as keep our options open. The passage of time will help us better appreciate the matter in its proper context, with the benefit of some hindsight.”
NHB added in its statement that if the site is preserved as a national monument, all options for 38 Oxley Road will remain open to the current and future governments, because the preservation order can be amended or revoked as the government of the day deems appropriate.
It would also mean that no rezoning to or alternative use of the site is allowed until a decision is made in the future.
Questions over the fate of the house resurfaced after the death of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s daughter, Dr Lee Wei Ling, on Oct 9, who had been living there since his death in 2015.
Lee’s two remaining children – Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Lee Hsien Yang – have publicly disagreed over the fate of the house and the interpretation of their late father’s wishes.
Nearly a week after Dr Lee’s death, Lee Hsien Yang said he will be applying to demolish the house at 38 Oxley Road to build a small private dwelling.
In a Facebook post on Oct 15, Lee Hsien Yang said he intends for the dwelling to then “be held within the family in perpetuity”. - The Straits Times/ANN
