Singaporeans urged to respect Lee Kuan Yew's wish on family home

The second and third children of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew have issued a statement through their lawyers reiterating their father's wish regarding his house on Oxley Road.

In the statement issued on Sunday, Apr 12, Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling said it was their father's wish that the house be demolished upon his death, or after Dr Lee has moved out.

Both of them were appointed the executors and trustees of Mr Lee's last will and testament, dated 17 Dec 2013. They have urged the public to respect their father's wishes.

In his will, the late Mr Lee stated it was he and his late wife Kwa Geok Choo's wish that their house at 38 Oxley Road be demolished immediately after his death or after his daughter Dr Lee moves out.

He also stated in his will: "I would ask each of my children to ensure our wishes with respect to the demolition of the House be carried out."

Their father had made this wish public on many occasions, including in his book Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going.

The late Mr Lee was concerned that an order may be issued against his wishes, and said in his will: "If our children are unable to demolish the House as a result of any changes in the law, rules or regulations binding them, it is my wish that the House never be opened to others except my children, their families and descendants."

His children added their father was well aware of calls to somehow preserve his home.

In their joint statement, they said: "We have a duty (as executors and trustees of his Lee Kuan Yew Will) and a moral obligation (as his children) to ensure that his Lee Kuan Yew Will is administered strictly as stated. He has given us clear instructions directly and in his Lee Kuan Yew Will to demolish the house either immediately after his death, or if Wei Ling continues to live in the original house, then immediately after she moves out of the House.

"Our father has given his life in service to the people of Singapore. We hope that the people of Singapore will honour and respect his stated wish in his last will and testament."