The Singapore Government on Monday said it plans to gazette as a national monument the family home of founding PM Lee Kuan Yew. Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo said the decision will follow recommendations from the National Heritage Board (NHB), which oversees the preservation and management of Singapore’s heritage. “The intention to gazette the site as a national monument recognises its historic significance and national importance. This will preserve a key part of our independence journey for future generations,” Neo was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia. Built in the late 19th century, the 38 Oxley Road house was the site of meetings that led to the formation of the ruling People’s Action Party in 1954.
“The site bore witness to discussions and pivotal decisions that shaped the course of Singapore’s history to become an independent nation,” the minister added. According to NHB and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), if the site is preserved and acquired, it could be converted into a public space, possibly a heritage park. Authorities said they would respect Lee Kuan Yew’s wishes by removing traces of his and his family’s private living spaces. NHB and SLA clarified that preservation does not necessarily mean retaining the buildings in their current form. “If access is obtained, the authorities will undertake a detailed study to consider how to proceed,” the agencies said.
