Lee Kuan Yew's furniture, personal effects donated to NHB

Some furniture and personal effects from the home of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew were donated to the people of Singapore, local TV Channel NewsAsia reported.

Executors and trustees of Lee's estate, Lee Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yang, made a Deed of Gift of some furniture and personal effects to the republic. The announcement was made on behalf of Lee's daughter and son on Thursday.

The deed was signed with the National Heritage Board (NHB). The items include all the furniture from the dining room, the study room, and work area desks, including the desk he worked on for many years, as well as his clothing worn on a number of historic occasions.

They have already been turned over to NHB in preparation for a planned major public exhibition at the SG50 (50th anniversary of founding of the republic) Tribute Gallery in August or September.

"We believe that these items would be of keen public interest and would serve as a very meaningful part of the exhibition," Lee Hsien Yang was quoted as saying.

"In accordance with our late father's last will and testament that his house at 38 Oxley Road be demolished, my sister and I, as the executors and trustees of the estate, believe it is only appropriate that some of his personal items of historic importance, that have been used by him at the house, be donated to the NHB for the people of Singapore who honored him with their love and respect during our recent bereavement," he said. Endi