Subject of 38 Oxley Road must be approached with 'open mind': Edwin Tong

The subject of 38 Oxley Road must be approached "with an open mind", while keeping options open, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong.

In an Oct. 24 statement on Facebook, he added that the passage of time will help Singaporeans to "better appreciate the matter in its proper context, with the benefit of some hindsight".

This comes after the National Heritage Board (NHB) said that it would commence a survey to assess the architectural, heritage, or historical significance of 38 Oxley Road.

Conducted by experts in the NHB's Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board, the study would conclude in a recommendation to be submitted to Tong for his decision.

Options should not be closed off

Tong also acknowledged Lee Hsien Yang's statement of intent to apply for the immediate demolition of 38 Oxley Road.

Lee Hsien Yang, who said he was the sole owner of the property after his sister's passing on Oct. 9, said he planned to build a "small private dwelling" in its place, to be held within the family in perpetuity.

However, immediately demolishing the house would "straightaway rule out options which can be considered", Tong said.

He added:

"We do not think that any option should be precluded, or closed off, at this stage."

As such, the study would be conducted to "carefully assess the merits, if any, of such preservation, and make their professional recommendations".

If a Preservation is Order is made, all options would remain open, Tong said.

This would give the government time to consider the different options identified in the Ministerial Committee report, or any other option.

The Oxley Road saga

The question of what to do with the property at 38 Oxley Road has been the subject of debate for a while now.

2017 saw a bitter and public dispute emerge between the Lee siblings, in which Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling professed that they had "lost confidence" in their brother, then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and accused him of abusing his power,

In April 2018, a Ministerial Committee on 38 Oxley Road released a final report with three proposals: retaining the house in whole, retaining only the basement dining room, and demolishing the entire property.

However, it also acknowledged that there was no need to make any decision at the time, as Lee Wei Ling was likely to continue residing there for the foreseeable future.

Upon Lee Wei Ling's passing on Oct. 9, Lee Hsien Yang — who said he was the property's "sole owner" — conveyed a statement from Lee Wei Ling, addressing 38 Oxley Road and appealing for its demolition.

He also referred to a statement made by his brother in parliament in 2015 that when Lee Wei Ling passed, it would be "up to the government of the day" to decide if the demolition is allowed.

"It has been nine years. That day is today," he concluded.

Top image from Edwin Tong/Facebook and Mothership