PM Lee accepts three options for 38 Oxley Road laid out by committee

Singapore

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday said that as a son, he accepts the ministerial committee's conclusion about his late father Lee Kuan Yew's wishes regarding 38 Oxley Road, and the three options it has laid out in its report.

His comments come in response to a 21-page report released earlier on Monday afternoon by the committee, which was looking into options for the founding prime minister's house.

The committee had recommended three options for a future government to decide on:

- Preserve the property and gazette it for conservation or as a national monument;

- Retain the basement dining room, which has the most historical significance, and tear down the rest of the property; or

- Allow the property to be demolished fully for redevelopment.

In a Facebook post, PM Lee said he has read the report by the committee, which was commissioned and approved by the Cabinet.

He also noted that he had recused himself from discussions on his late father's property.

"Speaking as a son, I accept the committee's conclusion on what my father's wishes were regarding the house at 38 Oxley Road, and the range of options it has laid out," he said.

"As the committee pointed out, there is no need to make a decision now," added PM Lee, noting that his sister Lee Wei Ling is likely to continue living there for the foreseeable future.

"I hope that when the time comes to decide on what to do with the house, this report will help the government of the day to make an informed decision that both respects my father's wishes and is in the public interest," PM Lee wrote.

The four-member panel was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, and also comprised Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu.

After reviewing documents and statements made by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the committee concluded that the founding prime minister's preference was to have the property demolished.

However, Mr Lee was also prepared to accept other options, it said, provided suitable arrangements were made to ensure the single-storey bungalow was refurbished and kept in a habitable state, and the family's privacy was protected.

Said DPM Teo: "Ultimately, in the fullness of time, a future government will have the responsibility to consider the public interest aspects of the property, taking into account Mr Lee's wishes. They will have to decide what to do with the property and be able to carry the decision."

The committee assessed that 38 Oxley Road has architectural, heritage and historical significance.

The fate of the house was thrust into the national spotlight in June 2017 when Dr Lee Wei Ling and her other brother Lee Hsien Yang posted a statement on Facebook accusing PM Lee of abusing his power in a bid to preserve the house, among numerous other accusations.

PM Lee later delivered a ministerial statement in Parliament to refute their accusations.

READ MORE: Of the over 200 conserved bungalows, just 16 are in the style of 38 Oxley Road