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Redevelopment of Lee Kuan Yew's house not to diminish historical significance

Xinhua, April 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's house is unlikely to be redeveloped in a manner that would diminish its historical significance, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and National Heritage Board ( NHB) in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The statement said that if a decision is made to allow for the demolition of the house, the government is likely to disallow the site to be redeveloped in a way that would diminish its historical significance, for example for commercial or intensive residential development.

The statement also noted that the area where Lee Kuan Yew's house stands is planned as a low-rise residential precinct and zoned 2-storey mixed landed.

Before Lee Kuan Yew passed away on March 23, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore had stated in his will that his house at 38 Oxley Road should be demolished upon his death, or after his daughter Lee Wei Ling who still lives in the house has moved out.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on April 13 said in Parliament: "Speaking as a son, I would like to see these wishes carried out. However, it will be up to the government of the day to consider the matter."

The statement issued by URA and NHB on Wednesday tried to respond to a commentary which was published in the Strait Times on April 24. The commentary said that "a state agency must decide (if it is a heritage-significant house) in order to trigger legal protection for the house." The authors of the commentary also acknowledged the "emotional dilemma" such a decision would cause to loved ones. Endi