The Tamesis
Singapore – The former residence of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at 38 Oxley Road was gazetted for acquisition on January 29.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and the National Heritage Board (NHB) said in a joint statement that the move aims to protect and preserve the site in line with its historical significance and national importance.
The statement said: “Retaining and acquiring the site means it cannot be redeveloped for residential, commercial or other private use.
“Following the acquisition, the relevant authorities will assess the condition of the buildings and structures on the site and conduct detailed studies to consider next steps.”
It added that no decision would be made on its future until all options, including those outlined by the 2018 Ministerial Committee, had been considered.
Here sits an eight-bedroom pre-war bungalow that was Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s residence from the 1940s until his death in 2015.
A preservation order came into effect on December 13 for the site, which is listed as a national monument.
The bungalow’s basement dining room is widely regarded as the most historic part of the house. Here Singapore’s first generation of leaders – including the late Mr Lee – discuss their ideas for Singapore’s future in the 1950s.
The Government has pledged to respect Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s wish to protect his family’s privacy by removing all traces of his private living space from inside the house.
It added: “Under no circumstances will the interior of the house known to Mr Lee be displayed, documented, altered or reproduced elsewhere.”
SLA and NHB will work with the owners during the acquisition process.
Compensation for the land will be determined under the Land Acquisition Act, 1966. It will take into account the market value of the land acquired on the date of the acquisition announcement and claims made by interested parties.
