Netizens criticise Lee Hsien Loong’s silence amid government decision to preserve 38 Oxley Road

SINGAPORE: Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong has declined to comment on the government’s decision to gazette 38 Oxley Road — the family home of the late Lee Kuan Yew — as a national monument.

In response to media queries, SM Lee’s Press Secretary said: “SM Lee has recused himself from the matter since 2017. He has no comment to add.”

In a ministerial statement to Parliament in 2017, SM Lee explained that he had recused himself from all government decisions concerning the property following his father’s death in 2015.

“I was conflicted, being my father’s son and the inheritor of the house, and also the Head of the Government. It was not proper for me to take part in any decisions on 38 Oxley Road,” he said at the time.

He added that at the next Cabinet meeting, two days after that Parliament sitting, he formally recused himself from all discussions and decisions relating to the house, placing then–Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean in charge. This was officially recorded in the Cabinet minutes.

Government Intends to Preserve 38 Oxley Road

On 3 November, the National Heritage Board (NHB) announced its intention to gazette 38 Oxley Road as a national monument.

The NHB said the Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board had assessed the property to be of “historic significance and national importance”.

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo accepted the recommendation and confirmed the government’s plan to move forward with preservation.

According to the NHB, if a preservation order is made, the government will acquire the property to safeguard and conserve it.

Lee Hsien Yang, the younger son of the late Lee Kuan Yew, had submitted an application to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in October 2024 seeking permission to demolish the property in line with his father’s will.

On 3 November 2025, he received formal notice of the government’s intention to preserve the site.

He has until 17 November 2025 to submit objections, after which Minister Neo will “consider every objection” before making a final decision.

Historic Significance of 38 Oxley Road

The single-storey bungalow, built in the 19th century, was home to Singapore’s founding Prime Minister from the mid-1940s until his death in 2015.

It also served as the early headquarters of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and was the venue for meetings that shaped Singapore’s political direction.

The property has long been at the centre of a family dispute among Lee Kuan Yew’s three children — SM Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Hsien Yang, and Dr Lee Wei Ling — over whether the house should be demolished or preserved.

According to past reports, Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling have maintained that their father’s will directed the house to be demolished once it was no longer inhabited, while SM Lee believed that his father was open to the government considering alternative options.

SM Lee, who initially inherited the property under his father’s will, transferred ownership to Lee Hsien Yang at market value in late 2015. Dr Lee Wei Ling lived in the house until her death on 9 October 2024.

Following his sister’s passing, Lee Hsien Yang reapplied to demolish the property, describing it as an effort to fulfil his father’s final will dated 17 December 2013.

Netizens Criticised SM Lee’s Silence

On platforms such as Mothership’s Facebook page, netizens criticised SM Lee’s decision to withhold comment.

One commenter wrote, “If no comment, leave it to the rightful owner to decide and not the government to debate on it.”

Another said, “What comment need he make? His wishes have already been executed.”

One user was more cynical, suggesting political motives: “What a good exit to make himself look good — but who is really behind it to preserve it as an LKY monument for the party’s benefit?”

Calls to Respect Lee Kuan Yew’s Wishes

Several commenters suggested that the government build a memorial park elsewhere to remember LKY’s legacy while still respecting his wishes to demolish the house.

“The best compromise is to demolish the house and build a public park, thus respecting LKY’s wishes while remembering his legacy,” one user suggested.

Another questioned the need for another memorial, saying, “The government is already building a $350 million Founders’ Memorial in Marina Bay — why do we need another at Oxley Road?”

A user also criticised Parliament for focusing on a private property matter instead of addressing national issues.

“Wasting Parliament’s time talking about a private property that doesn’t alter, harm or benefit Singaporeans’ lives. Parliament should discuss how to improve public housing, job opportunities, and other issues — not a single bungalow.”

Lee Hsien Yang Accuses Government of ‘Trampling’ on His Father’s Will

In a statement on 3 November, Lee Hsien Yang accused the PAP government of disregarding his father’s “unwavering wish” to demolish the Oxley Road home.

He said the decision to gazette the site as a national monument “tramples on Lee Kuan Yew’s clear and private wish” for the property to be demolished.

“The order to gazette 38 Oxley Road as a national monument effectively rejects the demolition application,” he wrote, adding that “the PAP government has chosen to disrespect Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy and values”.

He also noted that the Founders’ Memorial already stands as a “huge and expensive monument”, arguing that his father had opposed any such commemorative projects.