Lee Hsien Yang's claim on 38 Oxley Road house inaccurate, says Govt

Lee Kuan Yew stated preference to demolish but acknowledged it may be preserved

- Linette Lai

Mr Lee Hsien Yang's claim that the 38 Oxley Road house should be immediately demolished in accordance with his father's will is inaccurate, said a government spokesperson on Oct 25.

While founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew stated his preference for the house to be demolished in his will, he also acknowledged that it may be preserved, added the spokesperson for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

Mr Lee Hsien Yang "knows that what he says is inaccurate", the spokesperson said in a statement, adding that he is "trying to create a false urgency by pushing for the immediate demolition of the property".

"The Government, on the other hand, is trying to keep options open (including demolition or preservation of all or part of the property) and give time for current and future generations of Singaporeans to decide," the spokesperson said.

Questions over the fate of the house resurfaced after the death of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's daughter, Dr Lee Wei Ling, on Oct 9. Dr Lee, the younger sister of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, lived in the house until her death.

Mr Lee Hsien Yang, their younger brother, had called on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to take action on the issue in an Oct 25 Facebook post.