Singaporeans urged to respect Lee Kuan Yew's wish on family house

The children of Singapore's late former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in a statement issued on Sunday reiterated their father's will regarding his house on Oxley Road and urged Singaporeans to respect his wish.

Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling said it was their father's wish that the house be demolished upon his death or after Lee Wei Ling has moved out.

In the statement, the two said that Lee Kuan Yew appointed them as the executors and trustees of his last will and testament dated Dec. 17, 2013.

In his will, Lee stated: "I further declare that it is my wish, and the wish of my late wife, Kwa Geok Choo, that our house at 38 Oxley Road, Singapore 238629 be demolished immediately after my death or if my daughter, Wei Ling, would prefer to continue living in the original house, immediately after she moves out of the House. I would ask each of my children to ensure our wishes with respect to the demolition of the House be carried out."

Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling said that their father has expressed his wish both privately and publicly that the house to be torn down upon his passing. "He was concerned an order might be issued against his wishes," the statement said.

In response, Lee Kuan Yew added in his final will that "If our children are unable to demolish the house as a result of any changes in the law, rules or regulations binding them, it is my wish that the house never be opened to others except my children, their families and descendants."

The two said that they have a duty to ensure that the will is administered strictly as stated, and seeks Singaporeans to honor and respect their father's stated wish in his last will and testament.

According to Channel NewsAsia, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will address the issue of the house in Parliament on Monday.