Advisory Board Advocates for National Monument Status for 38 Oxley Road

The site of 38 Oxley Road plays a crucial role in Singapore’s history, serving as more than the residence of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. On November 3, 2024, the Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board highlighted its significant impact on the nation’s independence movement, asserting that the site should be preserved as a national monument. The board emphasized that its historical importance is unmatched by any other site or monument in Singapore.

According to the board, pivotal events in the 1950s unfolded at this location, shaping the trajectory of Singapore’s journey toward independence. This included important political discussions and actions led by the nation’s founding figures, which had a lasting influence on the country’s subsequent history.

Potential National Monument Designation

David Neo, the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, plans to gazette 38 Oxley Road as a national monument. This decision follows the advisory board’s evaluation and a recommendation from the National Heritage Board (NHB). The move marks an important step in a story that began with Mr. Lee’s passing on March 23, 2015, after which discussions about the site’s future have gained momentum.

The property served as Lee Kuan Yew’s home from 1950 until his death and was where his children – Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the late Dr. Lee Wei Ling, and Mr. Lee Hsien Yang – were raised. The advisory board underscored the site’s straightforward architecture, reflecting the values of prudence, pragmatism, and discipline exemplified by Singapore’s founding leaders.

Historical Significance of 38 Oxley Road

During the 1950s, 38 Oxley Road became a meeting point for individuals seeking Lee Kuan Yew’s legal advice, often regarding political matters. Notable events discussed at the site included the arrest of journalist Abdul Samad Ismail in 1951, the 1952 Singapore Post and Telegraph Uniformed Staff Union strike, and the 1954 National Service riots. Many who sought counsel from Lee later emerged as key figures in Singapore’s independence movement.

From early 1953, the basement dining room became a venue for secret discussions among Lee, Dr. Goh Keng Swee, Dr. Toh Chin Chye, S. Rajaratnam, and K. M. Byrne regarding the formation of a new political party. This group ultimately expanded to include other influential leaders, such as Devan Nair, Lim Chin Siong, and Fong Swee Suan. The advisory board noted that these gatherings were instrumental in shaping the political vision and plans that would guide Singapore toward self-governance.

Additionally, 38 Oxley Road served as the first headquarters of the People’s Action Party (PAP) following its establishment in 1954, remaining its headquarters until the party’s first General Election victory in 1959.

The advisory board expressed its belief that designating 38 Oxley Road as a national monument would provide a physical marker for future generations. This site would enable Singaporeans to reflect on the critical discussions and decisions that contributed to the nation’s independence and the core values that shape modern Singapore.

This latest announcement follows the NHB’s earlier intentions to evaluate the site’s preservation status, as stated in October 2023. The recognition of 38 Oxley Road as a national monument could help memorialize the significant events that unfolded there, enhancing the historical narrative of Singapore’s path to independence.