Introduction
Few private homes in Singapore have attracted as much attention as 38 Oxley Road. After Lee Kuan Yew’s death in 2015, the question of what should happen to the house sparked a significant public and political debate.
Lee Kuan Yew’s Personal Wish
Lee had expressed a clear desire for the house to be demolished upon his passing. He wished to avoid a personality cult and believed the ageing structure was unsafe and unsuitable for preservation.
This wish became a central point of contention in later discussions.
Disagreements Within the Lee Family
The matter became public when differences emerged between his children:
- Lee Hsien Loong, former Prime Minister
- Lee Hsien Yang
- Lee Wei Ling
The siblings expressed differing views on how their father’s wishes should be interpreted, sparking public debate and investigations into ministerial processes.