KUALA LUMPUR — Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest son of Singapore’s late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, is now pressuring Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on the demolition of the Lee family home at 38 Oxley Road.
Hsien Yang, who is currently in the UK as a political refugee, took to Facebook today to remind Wong of the elder Lee’s will in which he stated for the house to be demolished after daughter Dr Lee Wei Ling no longer lived there.
Wei Ling died on October 9.
“PM Lawrence Wong, the decision on 38 Oxley Road is your responsibility. In Lee Kuan Yew’s will, he wished for his house to be demolished ‘immediately after’ Wei Ling was not there. The time for that decision is now,” Hsien Yang wrote.
The younger brother of former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong also reminded Wong of a past statement he made about honouring Kuan Yew’s wishes not too allow the home become a memorial to himself.
“PM Wong, you were the Minister in charge when the furniture and artefacts from Lee Kuan Yew’s home were gifted and exhibited at the National Museum.
“At that exhibition in 2015, you stated ‘Honour not just one man, but our founding generation of leaders, and aim to be faithful to the ideals and values that our leaders lived by and fought for’.
“You are now building a grand Founders Memorial,” Hsien Yang said.
He also said Wong was on the ministerial committee that had deliberated options for the house.
“This is your responsibility. You have had nine years to consider. Further delay would trample on the last wishes of Lee Kuan Yew, whom you claim to honour. Please lead,” said Hsien Yang.
Hsien Yang has been at odds with Hsien Loong since 2022 over their father’s will regarding the house.
The younger brother had accused Hsien Loong, who is now Senior Minister, of misusing his position and state resources while he was prime minister to prevent the demolition of the house. – October 25, 2024