Internal ministerial committee set up to consider options for 38 Oxley Road

AN internal ministerial committee was set up by Cabinet to consider the options for 38 Oxley Road and the implications of these options, said Cabinet secretary Tan Kee Yong in a statement on Wednesday.

The bungalow at Oxley Road is where the late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew used to live, and there has been a dispute within the family about whether the home should be demolished or preserved.

Mr Tan was responding to an earlier statement issued by Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, the two younger siblings of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Mr Tan said that the committee has been tasked to look into various aspects, including the historical and heritage significance of the house, as well as to consider Mr Lee Kuan Yew's thinking and wishes in relation to the house.

PM Lee has not been involved in Cabinet's discussions concerning this committee, said Mr Tan.

"As he had previously stated, he has recused himself from all government decisions concerning the house," he added.

Mr Tan said that the committee has made clear to Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang that the government has no intention of doing anything with the house as long as Dr Lee continues to reside there.

The committee will be listing out the different options with regard to the house and the implications, and this will help a future government when a decision needs to be taken about the house, said Mr Tan.