The Fight Over Lee Kuan Yew’s House
The late Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, left behind a legacy that continues to shape the country to this day. His contributions to Singapore’s success are undeniable, and his influence can be felt in every corner of the city-state. However, even after his passing in 2015, the fight over his former residence, a bungalow at 38 Oxley Road, continues to rage on.
Lee Kuan Yew’s house has become a contentious issue among his surviving family members, with his three children – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Wei Ling, and Lee Hsien Yang – at odds over its fate. The dispute over the house has led to a very public and acrimonious rift between the siblings, with accusations of abuse of power, deception, and betrayal flying back and forth.
At the heart of the matter is whether the house should be preserved as a monument to Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy or demolished, as per his wishes. Lee Kuan Yew had stated in his will that he wanted the house to be demolished after his passing, to prevent it from becoming a place of pilgrimage and to avoid the creation of a cult of personality around him. However, his two younger children, Lee Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yang, have expressed their desire to have the house preserved as a heritage site.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, on the other hand, has been accused by his siblings of using his position to block the demolition of the house in order to preserve it as a monument to their father. The siblings have accused him of abusing his power and manipulating the government to serve his own interests. In response, Prime Minister Lee has denied the allegations and maintained that he has acted in accordance with his father’s wishes.
The fight over Lee Kuan Yew’s house has divided not only his family but also the people of Singapore. Many Singaporeans see the house as an important piece of history that should be preserved, while others believe that it should be demolished in accordance with Lee Kuan Yew’s wishes. The government has also been drawn into the controversy, with a parliamentary committee set up to investigate the allegations of abuse of power by Prime Minister Lee.
Ultimately, the fate of Lee Kuan Yew’s house remains uncertain. The legal battle between his children continues to drag on, and the public debate over its preservation or demolition shows no signs of abating. What is clear, however, is that the fight over the house has tarnished the legacy of one of Singapore’s most revered leaders and has exposed deep-seated tensions within his family. Only time will tell how this bitter feud will be resolved and what the final outcome will be for Lee Kuan Yew’s former residence.