10 key points on 38 Oxley Road from PM Lee, DPM Teo’s statements

SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean delivered ministerial statements in Parliament on Monday (July 3) on the 38 Oxley Road dispute.

PM Lee rebutted the allegations against him – namely concerning three areas: Setting up of ministerial panel on 38 Oxley Road, Deed of Gift and charges of nepotism.

Mr Teo also addressed the issue of the Ministerial Committee.

Here are some of the main points from their speeches:

1. Public sentiment on 38 Oxley Road

The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew wrote to Cabinet in Oct 2010 stating his desire for the house at 38 Oxley Road to be demolished. He reiterated this in his book “Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going”.

Following the book’s publication, there was strong public pushback from the public. Many Singaporeans wanted the house to be preserved.

2. Mr Lee Kuan Yew on the house

Mr Lee Kuan Yew wrote to Cabinet in July 2011 to reiterate wish for the house to be demolished.

Cabinet told Mr Lee they were opposed to tearing down the house, and he explored other options.

PM Lee said Mr Lee accepted his and Ho Ching’s proposal to renovate the house interior completely, but keep the basement dining room.

Mr Lee accepted the proposal and told the family it was “best to redevelop 38 Oxley Rd straightaway”; He then wrote to Cabinet in December 2011.

He also signed an authorisation to submit the development application to URA in March 2012.

3. Why raise the matter in Parliament?

PM Lee said it his duty to explain to MPs and Singaporeans, and Parliament is the right forum.

The charges levelled against him are ‘entirely baseless’ and have damaged Singapore’s reputation and can affect confidence in Government if left unrebutted, he added.

4. Ministerial Committee

The Ministerial Committee on 38 Oxley Rd is chaired by DPM Teo. PM Lee has been “out of the loop” on Government handling matters relating to the house since he recused himself.

The Ministerial Committee is like numerous other committees that Cabinet may set up from time to time to study specific issues, for instance on Smart Nation and Digital Government, Population, or even infant formula, DPM Teo said, adding that they are all part of the normal working process of Cabinet.

The Committee’s terms of reference on 38 Oxley are to assess:

(i) The historical and heritage significance of the property

(ii) The wishes of Mr Lee Kuan Yew in relation to the property, and (iii) the possible plans for the property and the neighbourhood, and the options to move forward.

DPM Teo said respecting Lee Kuan Yew’s wishes is a key consideration for the Committee as they assess possible options.

5. Deed of gift

Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee gifted artefacts from 38 Oxley Road to the National Heritage Board (NHB), formalised in a Deed of Gift.

PM Lee said he has “every right to see” the Deed of Gift to NHB, which was planning an exhibition on founding leaders, adding that his siblings’ terms to NHB were “onerous and unreasonable” and would mislead the public.

One of the terms stipulated that NHB had to display the first half of the Demolition Clause, which said that Mr Lee Kuan Yew wanted the house knocked down when Dr Lee was no longer living in it.

The second half of the Clause, which stated what Mr Lee Kuan Yew wanted to be done if the house could not be knocked down, would be omitted.

6. On abuse of power

PM Lee says the full Demolition Clause in the will shows Mr Lee Kuan Yew accepted alternatives.

Both he and DPM Teo also noted that that had he decided as Prime Minister to knock the house down without allowing the Government due process, that would have been ‘real abuse’ of power and authority.

7. Nepotism

PM Lee’s son, Li Hongyi, has publicly said he is not interested in politics, nor has he pushed the latter to enter politics.

He added that if Ho Ching – CEO of Temasek Holdings – behaves improperly, the Temasek Board, the President and Council of Presidential Advisors know they have a duty to act.

8. “Magic” of 38 Oxley Road

If the house enhances his “aura as PM” or if such “magic properties” bolsters his authority, “I must be in a pretty sad state”, PM Lee said.

“And if such magic can work, Singapore must be in an even sadder state.”

9. Taking legal action

In normal circumstances, PM Lee would surely sue. But he said he would prefer not to as this would further tar his parents’ names.

10. Defending Mr Lee’s legacy

Mr Lee’s legacy is much more than an old house, it is S’pore and its values, PM Lee said.

Everyone is equal before the law, and Mr Lee understood this. Even Mr Lee’s house and wishes are subject to the rule of law.

PM Lee added, the Government is built to withstand attacks on its reputation and integrity and emerge stronger.