International
New York Times examines Singapore’s Lee family feud over historic 38 Oxley Road
The New York Times has cast an international spotlight on the Lee family feud over 38 Oxley Road, framing it as a reflection of tensions in Singapore’s governance model. The house, tied to Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy, has become a flashpoint for debates on leadership, family, and accountability.

The New York Times has added an international dimension to the long-running Lee family feud over Singapore’s historic 38 Oxley Road, offering a rare glimpse into the personal and political tensions dividing the city-state’s first family.
Through direct quotes from family members and analysts, the report “Why Singapore’s First Family Is Locked in a Bitter Feud Over a House” provides a vivid portrayal of the conflict, which reflects broader issues within Singapore’s political system.
At the heart of the dispute is Lee Kuan Yew’s final wish for his house to be demolished, which he believed would ensure privacy and prevent it from becoming a public spectacle.
The bungalow, which was constructed in 1898, was the site of key moments in Singapore’s history, including the founding of the People’s Action Party (PAP) in its basement.
Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, however, consistently expressed his desire for the demolition of his residence at 38 Oxley Road to maintain his family’s privacy and prevent the house from becoming a public spectacle.
His youngest son, Lee Hsien Yang, passionately advocates for this course of action, saying in an interview with the New York Times, “My father was very clear about his wishes. It’s not just a family matter—it’s about honouring his legacy and respecting his instructions.”
However, his eldest brother, Lee Hsien Loong, argues that the will’s wording left the house’s future open to interpretation. The former Prime Minister has stated publicly that the government must balance his father’s wishes with the property’s historical significance, leaving the ultimate decision to the state.
Lee Hsien Yang, who has since sought asylum in Britain, paints a different picture. In the interview, he accused his brother of abusing his position during his time as prime minister.
“The idea that one good man at the centre can control this, and you just rely on his benevolence to ensure that everything is right, doesn’t work,” Lee Hsien Yang said, directly challenging the governance model that his father championed.
Lee Hsien Yang’s criticisms extend beyond the family. He described what he calls a pattern of persecution by the Singaporean government.
Referring to the contempt of court charge against his son and the suspension of his wife, lawyer Lee Suet Fern, Lee Hsien Yang said, “It’s a vendetta. They’ve turned this into a personal campaign against me and my family.”
Singapore’s government denies these allegations, calling them baseless.
In a statement cited by the New York Times, the Singapore government described Lee Hsien Yang’s claims as an “extravagant personal vendetta” and reiterated that he and his wife are free to return to Singapore to answer any inquiries.
The article also reveals some of the raw familial tensions.
Dr Lee Wei Ling, the Lee siblings’ only sister, wrote in a 2015 email that Lee Hsien Loong had become “aggressive” and “threatening” when the will was discussed after their father’s death. She alleged that that Lee Hsien Loong warned them that pursuing demolition could prompt the government to declare the house a national monument.
In contrast to Dr Lee Wei Ling’s claims about her brother’s alleged “threatening” behaviour during discussions about their father’s will, Lee Hsien Loong, in his 3 July 2017 ministerial statement, denied abusing his position or acting improperly.
He emphasised that he had recused himself from government decisions on the house and outlined his efforts to maintain transparency, stating, “I take no part in discussions or decisions concerning the house. Whenever the Cabinet deliberates on the house, for example when it set up a Ministerial Committee, I absent myself, and DPM Teo [Chee Hean] chairs the meeting.”
The strained relationship resulted in the siblings cutting contact with each other shortly thereafter.
Beyond the family drama, the New York Times report explores the broader implications for Singapore’s governance.
Political scientist Ja Ian Chong commented, “This saga raises questions about how Singapore is governed. Are we able to move on from the ‘big man’ style of leadership? Or are we stuck in a system that depends on one dominant figure?”
The New York Times report also comes as Singapore’s National Heritage Board (NHB) begins a fresh review into the future of 38 Oxley Road.
The review follows a formal application by Lee Hsien Yang to demolish the house, in line with Lee Kuan Yew’s explicit wishes, after the death of his sister, Dr Lee Wei Ling, on 9 October 2024.
In a statement on 15 October 2024, Lee Hsien Yang reiterated his role as “the sole living executor” of Lee Kuan Yew’s will, emphasising his “legal and moral duty” to carry out the late leader’s desire for the house’s demolition.
However, as the NHB evaluates whether to preserve the property as a national monument, public debate over the issue has reignited. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth, noted that “no option should be precluded,” reflecting the government’s stance of carefully weighing the site’s historical significance against Lee Kuan Yew’s personal wishes.
Lee Hsien Loong, now senior minister, has remained silent on the matter since his retirement in 2023, leaving his position open to interpretation.
The New York Times has cast an international spotlight on the Lee family feud over 38 Oxley Road, framing it as a reflection of tensions in Singapore’s governance model. The house, tied to Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy, has become a flashpoint for debates on leadership, family, and accountability.
While polls suggest that most Singaporeans support demolition, citing respect for Lee Kuan Yew’s wishes, the government’s decision could carry political ramifications ahead of the next general election, which must be held by November 2025.
The NHB’s review promises to be pivotal, ensuring that the story of 38 Oxley Road continues to unfold, intertwining private family dynamics with public interest and historical legacy.

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