Future of 38 Oxley Road: What happens next
In determining the compensation amount, the Singapore Land Authority will weigh the market value of the site
[SINGAPORE] The National Heritage Board (NHB) on Monday (Nov 3) gave the owner of 38 Oxley Road a written notice of the government’s intention to preserve the site, to which he has 14 days to respond.
The site is founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew’s former residence. He had reiterated publicly his wish for it to be demolished before he died on Mar 23, 2015. Two years later, however, a private feud between his children was thrust into a rare public display over whether the house should be demolished.
Lee Kuan Yew’s daughter Lee Wei Ling and younger son Lee Hsien Yang accused their older brother, then-prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, of wanting to go against their father’s wishes.
The house is currently owned by a company called 38 Oxley Road Pte Ltd, which is understood to be owned by Lee Hsien Yang and his second son Li Huanwu.
Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo intends to gazette the site as a national monument following the conclusion of NHB’s assessment that the site is of “historic significance and national importance and worthy of preservation as a national monument”.
BT examines what happens now that the notice of intent has been issued.
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What possible steps can Lee Hsien Yang take now that the notice of intent has been issued?
Lee has a “reasonable period”, understood to be 14 days, to raise any objections, which must be submitted in writing.
During this period, the owner and occupier has a duty to ensure the proposed national monument is properly maintained. It is an offence for any person to damage or interfere with the proposed national monument under the Preservation of Monuments Act 2009.
What happens after the 14-day period is up?
Neo will consider every objection before making a final decision on whether to make the Preservation Order to place the site under the protection of NHB, according to the Preservation of Monuments Act 2009.
After the 14-day period, the acting minister’s decision is final.
What happens once a Preservation Order is issued?
If a Preservation Order is issued, the government intends to acquire the site to “safeguard it and preserve it in keeping with its historic significance and national importance”, NHB said.
However, if the structure is not acquired under the Land Acquisition Act 1996 within a year, the preservation order ceases to have effect in relation to the structure under the Preservation of Monuments Act 2009.
If a Preservation Order is issued, how much will the government acquire the site for?
The government would commence the acquisition process in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act 1966.
In determining the compensation amount, the Singapore Land Authority will take into account the market value of the site. It is expected to appoint a professional private valuer for the assessment.
When will the government make a final decision on 38 Oxley Road if it acquires the site?
If the government acquires the site, the authorities will undertake a detailed study to consider how to proceed. It intends to make a decision “well within this term of government”.
NHB said the government will consider all options, including those proposed by a ministerial committee on 38 Oxley Road in 2018, such as a partial or full demolition of the buildings and structures.
“Regardless of the options taken, the government will respect Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s wishes and will remove all traces of Mr Lee’s and his family’s private living spaces from the buildings,” NHB said.
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