In many countries, buildings with architectural significance are preserved due to their style and unique design, while those that have made a mark on history are conserved so that future generations will have a physical reminder of their past and know the people who contributed greatly to society.
These may include homes of respected leaders who have left a legacy and brought economic prosperity to a nation. Singapore’s first Prime Minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew did just that – transforming Singapore from a small backwater into one of the richest countries in the world.
Which is why one man by the name of Benedict Yuen has started a petition on website change.org to get the authorities to officially gazette the home of Mr Lee as a national heritage site, according to media reports. Read more > 38, Oxley Road should be officially gazetted a national heritage site
History was made here
Given its historical significance, the fairly large colonial-style house at 38 Oxley Road (pictured) should not be demolished but conserved for as long as it’s practical, Yuen wrote in his petition. “It would be most regrettable if Mr Lee’s house were (to be) eventually demolished.
“It was here, in the basement of the house more than half a century ago, that a group of altruistic and committed politicians gathered frequently to discuss and plan Singapore’s self-autonomy and subsequent independence from the British administration during those turbulent days in the 1950s.”
Possible site for museum
Instead of demolishing it, he suggested converting it into a public museum so that students and other members of the public will have something more concrete to relate to when they’re learning about the life of the former leader.
“It would also be a way of instilling patriotism and fostering national bonding,” Yuen said.
He went on to state that without the property, students and tourists would have to make do with pictures in history textbooks, which is not a very constructive way of teaching and learning about the past.
As a historical site, the maintenance of the property would be assured as it would come under the National Heritage Board, preventing any disrepair.
“I sincerely hope that the relevant authorities will seriously consider preserving 38, Oxley Road as a national monument, which would serve as a useful and constant reminder to all Singaporeans of Mr Lee’s legacy,” he added.
Inside Lee Kuan Yew’s home. (Photos from Stomp.com.sg)
A simple house
According to reporter Judith Tan who visited Mr Lee’s home back in 2010, she learnt many fascinating things about the man.
“Not many people have been inside Mr Lee’s bedroom. But five years ago, I stood within its austere walls and learnt a little more about the great man,” she wrote.
She and some friends were visiting Mr Lee’s daughter Dr Lee Wei Ling. When Ms Lee showed the group her father’s bedroom, Tan heard him in the adjoining room reading to his wife Madam Kwa Geok Choo, who had become bedridden after a series of strokes.
“Mr Lee, known for his fiery speeches, spoke in a gentle voice as he read to her from The Sunday Times,” she recalled.
“She was not able to answer him but, without fail, he read to the love of his life every single day – alternating between news, her favourite poems and novels – for 18 months until her death in October 2010.”
As for Mr Lee’s bedroom, it was very simple. “A single bed was the main piece of furniture. On it was a thin towel blanket and a small bolster. I did not see a pillow,” she shared.
“The rest of the old two-storey house was equally spartan. The downstairs bathroom, for instance, still held a hamdankong (Cantonese for barrel or tub used for making salted eggs), a large clay urn filled with water for bathing, old-school style, complete with a plastic scoop.”
Dwarfed by the multi-million dollar properties nearby, Mr Lee’s modest home represents his character as an honest leader with integrity as it has remained largely unchanged even though Singapore’s per capita GDP has soared between the 1960s and today.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Singapore Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
