The Bitter Feud Over Lee Kuan Yew's Legacy: A Family Divided

In a story that intertwines family drama with political intrigue, the legendary Lee Kuan Yew’s bungalow at 38 Oxley Road has become the epicenter of a bitter feud within Singapore’s First Family. This historic home, where Lee orchestrated Singapore's monumental transformation from a colonial outpost to a thriving economic power, is now at the heart of a struggle that reflects larger issues within Singapore’s political landscape.

Lee Kuan Yew’s will declared a preference for his beloved family residence to be demolished after his death in March 2015. However, ambiguous language in that will caused a schism between his children - particularly between Lee Hsien Yang and his brother Lee Hsien Loong, who was Singapore's prime minister until May 2025.

Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest of the three siblings, has publicly voiced his frustration, claiming that his brother has misused governmental power during their dispute over the property. He has expressed deep concern over what he deemed a lack of accountability in Singapore’s governance. His allegations gained significant attention when he sought and was granted political asylum in the United Kingdom, citing fears of persecution due to the ongoing conflict over the house.

The fight over 38 Oxley Road fiercely divides the siblings. While Hsien Yang and his sister, Dr. Lee Wei Ling, advocate for the house's demolition to honor their father's wishes, Hsien Loong’s stance to preserve the house for its historical significance has raised suspicions among his siblings, who accuse him of seeking to fortify their family’s political dynasty.

As tensions escalated with the death of their sister, Dr. Lee, in October 2023, the brothers fell deeper into disagreement. Hsien Yang has claimed he encountered harassment from the government, outlining a series of legal troubles faced by his family since the feud began. Allegations against his wife, Lee Suet Fern, regarding her role in the ambiguous will further complicated matters, drawing the couple into a legal battle that some analysts interpret as politically motivated.

Interestingly, the People’s Action Party (PAP), which Lee Kuan Yew founded and which has governed Singapore for nearly 70 years, now faces scrutiny. Critics argue that this family feud highlights broader issues within Singapore’s semi-authoritarian political system, where the ruling party's grip has become increasingly contentious and arguably brittle.

“As the political landscape shifts, we must ask ourselves if we can step beyond this old, hierarchical style of governance, or if we remain stuck in a culture reliant on the ‘big man’ approach,” asserts Ja Ian Chong, a political scientist at Singapore's National University. The questions swirling around Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy—including who controls his memory and how his family navigates public sentiment—represent a reckoning for both the Lee family and Singapore itself.

As it stands, the fate of the bungalow remains uncertain. Polls indicate that a significant number of Singaporeans support its demolition, wanting it to remain a private space rather than a museum honoring the founder's legacy. Yet government deliberations could complicate or extend the dispute further, leaving the once-pristine image of a governing family frayed and fraught with conflict.

This ongoing saga, marked by family animosity and political machinations, is a testament to the complexities of legacy—a reminder that even in a place hailed for its progress, the past continues to cast long shadows over the future. As the Lee family's feud unfolds, the implications for Singapore's governance and political landscape remain poised for scrutiny. Could this feud signal a turn in Singapore's political narrative? Only time will tell.