Forum: Don’t let 38 Oxley Road become an empty heritage park

I was happy to read that the Government intends to gazette the site of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew’s family home at 38 Oxley Road (

Govt intends to gazette site of Lee Kuan Yew’s house at 38 Oxley Road as national monument

, Nov 3).

However, I note that one of the options being considered is to demolish the house. I hope this does not come to pass.

The house has architectural merit, in addition to its historical significance. In fact, it is probably one of the few, if not the only remaining house, with such a unique design and layout dating back to the late 1800s when it was built.

Singapore has lost far too many of its old colonial buildings and I would loathe the idea of visiting an empty heritage park devoid of its most important historical “occupant”.

I suggest removing traces of the private living spaces of the Lee family which is a valid concern.

These rooms could be reconfigured into an exhibition hall highlighting the contributions of not only Mr Lee, but also those of our earlier political leaders.

The facade of the house and its more “public spaces” like the living room, where Mr Lee received his guests, and the dining room, where critical discussions that determined the future of our nation were held, can then be preserved.

While 38 Oxley Road can then become an extension of the Founders’ Memorial, it will have a greater “wow” effect if we can actually stand in the very house where history was made.

Edwin Pang