Son of Singapore’s founding leader granted asylum in UK amid claims of persecution

Following the passing of Lee Wei Ling, the daughter of Singapore’s founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, a long-standing dispute within the prominent Lee family regarding the fate of their historic residence at 38 Oxley Road has resurfaced. Since the elder Lee’s departure in 2015, the modest yet historically significant property in downtown Singapore has been the subject of a contentious debate.

Lee Kuan Yew, who is widely regarded as the architect of modern Singapore, had specified in his will that the home would be demolished either upon his death or upon his daughter, Lee Wei Ling, moving out. In accordance with Lee Kuan Yew’s aversion to cultivating a cult of personality, the mansion, which is estimated to be worth tens of millions of Singapore dollars, was not intended to serve as a monument to his legacy.

Nevertheless, the family has experienced a public and emotional rift as a result of the varying interpretations of Lee Kuan Yew’s will among his offspring. Lee Hsien Loong, the eldest son and current prime minister at the time of his father’s death, had argued for the temporary preservation of the home, asserting that it was of historical significance and that a decision regarding its fate should be postponed. Nevertheless, his siblings, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, were adamant about adhering to their father’s directives and advocating for the house’s deconstruction.

The dispute reached a critical juncture earlier this month with the departure of Lee Wei Ling, who had been residing in the family residence. Lee Hsien Yang has renewed the demand for the house’s demolition in accordance with their father’s will, following her death, which is purportedly due to a brain disease.

Lee Hsien Yang recently submitted a proposal to replace the current residence at 38 Oxley Road with a “small private domicile” that belongs to the Lee family. He emphasised that the relocation would preserve the family’s private legacy and honour his father’s concluding wishes, without transforming the property into a public shrine.

Given its symbolic associations with Lee Kuan Yew and its location in a prominent district of the city-state, the property’s future has been a subject of national interest in Singapore. Despite its modest architectural design, the home is imbued with significant historical and political significance as a result of its connection to the nation’s founding leader.

In spite of Lee Kuan Yew’s explicit preference for its demolition, proposals to preserve or transform the property into a heritage site have been put forth, with the historical significance of the site to Singapore’s nation-building. Proponents of preservation contend that the house is not merely a domicile; it serves as a tangible reminder of the early years of Singapore’s development and the vision of its first prime minister.

The recent developments in the Lee family dispute have reignited public discourse regarding the equilibrium between the preservation of historical heritage and the reverence of personal legacies. The Lees’ influential role in shaping the nation’s history has compelled a significant number of Singaporeans to closely monitor the unfolding events.

The government and other key stakeholders’ responses to Lee Hsien Yang’s application remain uncertain as the family navigates the delicate matter. The results could have an enduring impact on the manner in which Singapore commemorates its founding leaders and their legacies.