On November 3, 2025, the Singaporean government announced its intent to gazette the site at 38 Oxley Road—the former home of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew—as a national monument, citing its immense historical significance and national importance. This move, which has been years in the making, marks a pivotal moment in Singapore’s ongoing debate over how best to honor its past while respecting the wishes of one of its most influential families.
Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo addressed Parliament on November 6, laying out the government’s rationale and plans for the site. According to The Straits Times, Neo emphasized that the focus is on preserving the entire 1,100 square meter site, not just the buildings or structures within it. "We will keep all options open, and strive for a solution that will unite us as a country, rather than allow this to become a point of contention or division in our society," Neo declared. The government’s vision is to potentially develop the site into a heritage park—a public space accessible to all Singaporeans, provided it is eventually preserved and acquired.
Importantly, the government has not yet been able to access the site to assess the current condition of its buildings. This lack of access is a key reason for the decision to preserve the entire site, rather than specific buildings. Neo explained, "That is a key reason why we are opting to preserve the site rather than just specific buildings or structures." The government will conduct a detailed study if access is obtained, weighing the benefits of retaining existing structures against the cost and practicality of doing so.
All options remain on the table, including partial or full demolition of the buildings—a possibility first proposed by a 2018 ministerial committee. Neo stressed that whatever the eventual outcome, the government will respect the privacy wishes of Lee Kuan Yew and his wife, Kwa Geok Choo. "Under no circumstance will the interior of the house, as Mr. Lee and Madam Kwa knew, be displayed or recorded or remodelled or duplicated elsewhere," Neo assured Parliament, addressing public concerns about the sanctity of the family’s private life.
Yet, Neo provided a nuanced distinction regarding the house’s interior: while all traces of private living spaces will be removed, the basement dining room—widely documented before Lee Kuan Yew’s passing and the site of key political meetings—may be retained. In his words, "There are spaces within the buildings that have been widely documented in different forms of media in the past, and all these were done prior to Mr Lee's passing, the basement dining room being one of them that we would consider less private." On the other hand, bedrooms and other areas not linked to significant historical events will be reconfigured or removed, which could involve anything from taking out furnishings and fixtures to demolishing certain sections, all while considering structural integrity and safety.
Neo was quick to point out that such measures are not unusual. He cited examples from Singapore and abroad, such as the Gandhi Ashram in India and the Independence National Historical Park in the United States, where historical sites have been adapted or modified to enhance public education and engagement. In Singapore, the former Supreme Court, National Gallery Singapore, and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall have all seen their interiors significantly altered while preserving their exteriors. "All historic sites generally undergo some degree of adaptive reuse to ensure they remain beneficial and relevant to current and future generations of Singaporeans," Neo explained.
The authenticity of 38 Oxley Road, as the actual site where pivotal moments in Singapore’s history unfolded, was a major factor in the government’s decision. Neo contrasted this with the Founders' Memorial, which is being built on reclaimed land and thus lacks the same sense of place. "There will not be that same sense of authenticity... This site is unique, [and it] behoves us to preserve it," Neo said, underscoring the value of allowing Singaporeans to experience history where it actually happened.
The process leading up to this decision has been both rigorous and transparent. The Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board (PSM AB), comprising experts in history and architecture, conducted an independent assessment and concluded that the site is of "national importance with great historic merit." The National Heritage Board (NHB) supported this assessment and submitted its recommendation to Neo, who agreed with their findings. According to The Business Times, "Preservation is done only after a rigorous assessment process." Public officers on the board recused themselves to ensure impartiality.
Ownership of the site remains with 38 Oxley Road Pte Ltd, whose sole shareholder is Lee Kuan Yew’s younger son, Lee Hsien Yang, and whose director is his son, Li Huanwu. A long-standing family dispute over the house’s fate has simmered for years, reigniting after the death of Lee Wei Ling, Lee Hsien Yang’s sister, in October 2024. Shortly thereafter, Lee Hsien Yang submitted an application to demolish the property—a request that has been deferred pending the government’s review.
Neo acknowledged that Lee Kuan Yew himself preferred the house to be demolished, and that Kwa Geok Choo wanted the family’s living spaces to remain private. Nevertheless, Neo noted that Lee Kuan Yew also "understood that he had to abide by the processes and system that he had built, and that the government has a duty and responsibility to consider the public interest and not just those of private individuals." In a letter to Cabinet dated December 27, 2011, Lee Kuan Yew wrote, "If 38 Oxley Road is to be preserved, it needs to have its foundations reinforced and the whole building refurbished."
The government’s intention to preserve the site is also aimed at preventing private parties from purchasing it solely for its association with Lee Kuan Yew. "Preserving the site means we will be able to avoid a situation where private parties attempt to purchase 38 Oxley Road in future just to have an address that is associated with Mr Lee’s residence," Neo stated. He further assured Parliament that the site, if acquired, will not be redeveloped for residential, commercial, or other private uses.
The next steps are clearly outlined. Lee Hsien Yang has until November 17, 2025, to submit any objections to the government’s plan. The NHB will review any objections and make recommendations to Neo, who will then decide whether to proceed. Should the decision be made to move forward, a preservation order will be issued, and the government will begin the acquisition process under the Land Acquisition Act. Compensation will be determined by the Singapore Land Authority, with the assistance of a professional private valuer, and owners may appeal to the Land Acquisition Appeals Board if dissatisfied.
The government aims to finalize plans for the site’s use and configuration well before the next general election, which must be called by 2030. In the meantime, there will be no public access to the site. As Neo summed up, "We will take the deliberate steps to decide. And we will do so in the best interest of Singapore and Singaporeans, now and for the future."
With the eyes of a nation watching, the fate of 38 Oxley Road stands as a testament to Singapore’s ongoing journey to balance heritage, public interest, and the wishes of its most prominent family.
