A long-standing family dispute over the legacy of Singapore’s founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, has reignited following the government’s decision to preserve his former residence as a national monument. The announcement, made on Monday, has drawn sharp criticism from Lee’s youngest son, Lee Hsien Yang, who accused the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) of disregarding his father’s wishes. The heritage advisory body deemed the house at 38 Oxley Road to be of “national significance,” citing its role in pivotal decisions that shaped Singapore’s independence. Acting Culture Minister David Neo emphasized the importance of preserving this historic site for future generations. However, Lee Hsien Yang, who owns the property, argued that his father consistently opposed the preservation of his home as a monument, even stipulating its demolition in his final will. The younger Lee has been locked in a public feud with his older brother, former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, since their father’s death in 2015. Lee Hsien Yang and his sister, Lee Wei Ling, have accused their brother of abusing his political influence to block the demolition. The government has issued a written notice of its intent to acquire the property and transform it into a public space, possibly a heritage park, while removing traces of the family’s private living spaces. Meanwhile, Lee Hsien Yang, who claims to be a political refugee after receiving asylum in the U.K., faces investigations over allegations of providing false evidence in judicial proceedings related to his father’s will.
Lee Kuan Yew’s youngest son slams Singapore’s plan to preserve family home as national monument
