The Oxley Road site will be evaluated by the National Heritage Board ( NHB) to determine whether it merits to be preserved as a national monument.  ,
It will assess if the site has national historical, heritage and architectural significance, the board said in a press release on Thursday ( Oct 24 ), noting that Singaporeans have a “diverse range of views” on the matter.  ,
NHB said the state” will have the time needed” to consider the various options outlined in the 2018 ministerial committee review on 38 Oxley Road if it is issued an order to maintain the blog.  ,
The late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew had a preference for the building to be destroyed, but the board found that he was open to other options, such as having it renovated and kept in a livable state while respecting his family’s privacy, according to the 2018 report.
Mr. Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest son of Mr. Lee, announced on October 15 that he would use to demolish the home time after his sister Dr. Lee Wei Ling passed away.  ,
He reportedly applied to the Urban Redevelopment Authority on October 21 to carry out the destruction functions.  ,
Making such a choice at this time will obstruct a proper and thorough evaluation of the options above, according to NHB in the media release.  ,
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong wrote in a Twitter post on Thursday that ,” we do not assume that any alternative may be precluded, or closed away, at this stage”.  ,  ,
” It is crucial that we approach the situation with a fresh mind and keep our choices available. The passage of time may help us better understand the problem in its proper perspective, with the benefit of some past” . ,
Experts from diverse industries will be consulted on the protection of sites and monuments advisory committee at NHB.  ,
The NHB will finally make its advice to the Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth to determine whether to grant a protection order for the site in accordance with the Preservation of Monuments Act.  ,
NHB will inform the user and tenant to file any concerns “within a fair period” before the secretary makes a final decision.  ,
All options for the site’s future will be open to current and upcoming institutions, according to NHB, if the government decides to keep it as a national memorial.
A survival order may be changed or revoked, and there will not be any rezoning or other uses of the site until a future decision is made, it continued.  ,
Background OF 38 Oxford Highway
Dr Lee, Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s only child, continued living at 38 Oxley Road after his death in 2015. Mr. Lee Hsien Yang claimed in a Facebook post that he was the sole legal guardian of the house and that his decision was in line with his parents ‘ wishes.
The home is associated with important activities in Singapore’s history. In the 1950s, founding fathers like Dr. Goh Keng Swee and Dr. Toh Chin Chye held meetings in the building’s basement dining room, which precipitated the formation of the now-defunct People’s Action Party ( PAP ).  ,
After his sisters accused him of using his influence in state to advance a specific plan, next Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a ministerial speech in parliament in 2017. A ministerial council was then set up to discuss the house’s death.  ,
The 2018 report by the council assessed that the property has structural, history and historical significance.  ,
The report also listed a number of options, including preserving the overall structure, keeping only the basement dining room, and completely demolition, with the option of converting the site to alternate use, such as a park or heritage center.  ,
” These alternatives are not complete. The goal is for a future government to take these, as well as other options that might arise, and make an informed and unbiased determination in fullness of time, taking into account the hopes of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew,” NHB said on Thursday.  ,