Singapore has announced plans to preserve the home of its founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, as a national monument, marking a significant turn in the long-running dispute among his children. Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo has accepted the National Heritage Board’s recommendation to retain the historic property at 38 Oxley Road, according to a joint statement issued on Monday by the heritage board and the Singapore Land Authority.
The colonial-era house, located near the bustling Orchard Road shopping district, could be transformed into a public heritage park if preservation plans move forward. The government emphasized that it will respect Lee’s personal wishes by removing all private and family living spaces before any public opening. Officials said all options will be considered to ensure the site serves both as a memorial and a respectful tribute to the nation’s founding leader.
The decision comes after years of public contention within the Lee family. In 2024, authorities temporarily blocked an application by Lee Hsien Yang, Lee Kuan Yew’s youngest son, to demolish the property. Hsien Yang and his late sister, Lee Wei Ling, had accused their elder brother, former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, of attempting to subvert their father’s will by forming a 2018 ministerial committee to review the house’s fate.
Tensions resurfaced last October following the death of Wei Ling, who had lived in the Oxley Road residence. With her passing, the property’s future once again became a focal point of both national interest and family discord. The government’s latest move suggests an intention to balance historical preservation with respect for personal legacies—an effort that may determine how Singapore reconciles its founding story with the private wishes of its most influential family.
