last will was prepared: PM Lee
Read more at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/grave-concerns-about-how-lee-kuan-yew-s-last-will-was-prepared-8948602
(Updated: )
Ricky Lim ·
But the elder Lee, who is credited with transforming Singapore from a backwater entrepot into one of Asia's richest countries, feared the house could turn into a monument.
He is said to have wanted to avoid the kind of personality cult that can develop around strongman leaders.
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I think Singaporeans fully understood Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 苦心 - his concern, his worries - that Meritocracy should be the values and principles in grooming Leadership and not through personality cult or dynasty.
Or let everyone see it from a different perspective :-
(1) If we do not build monument, should we knock down Sir Stamford Raffles statue? (and forget about our history as British colony and bustling port)
(2) If we do not build monument, should we knock down the Merlion statute - and forget about our history of Lion City, the Sang Nila Utama, the name called Temasek.
(3) If we do not build monument, should we knock down the World War 2 Peace monument at City Hall?
(4) If we do not build monument, should we knock down the old Supreme Court that feature the Colonial style building architecture?
(5) In the same vein, should we knock down the Sun Zhong Sun villa, the Alkaff mansion, the Peranakan Museum?
Then Singapore will has no more heritage - only HDB flats, MRT and tall commercial buildings.
Then what is Singapore's identity? What is Singapore Heritage?
HDB flats?
MRT?
I think many Singaporeans are supportive of demolishing the House for the following reasons :-
(1) Oxley House is a private property. The owner will have the right how should this property be handled and Govt should not step in.
(2) It is found in Mr Lee's will and has legal power to execute the Will.
(3) Many Singaporeans are fearful that even if Mr LKY's will can be overriden by Govt, then how about private citizens' house and property?
I think the above reasons are valid.
However, let us view it in another perspective :-
(1) Is Oxley House worth preserving?
Is it a historical significance - where many crucial historical events have taken place in the Oxley House worth preserving through Conservation as Heritage?
Singapore during the 1960's have witnessed life threatening situation, the fate of Singapore hangs in the balance, people are despair and fear for their future.
(a) British pullout - Singapore has no future which are so dependant on British's jobs.
(b) Singapore breakaway from Peninsula - Singapore has no more hinterland, even water supply is a big issue - and Singaporeans may die from thirst if not properly handled and trade is cut off.
(c) Racial riot
(d) Blood revolution to achieve a non-capitalist economy and political system
(e) No armed forces to protect Singapore
etc etc etc
---- all the above crisis over crisis - are resolve and overcome in the Oxley House.
So should Oxley House be conserved as a Heritage - to inspire future Singapore Leaders, Singaporeans - when we encounter future insurmountable crisis - that nothing is impossible to achieve.
The following declaration resonate in the Oxley House :-
"Today Singapore is a marsh land, a swamp. 10 years down the road - we will build Singapore to be a cosmopolitan city. A 1st class developed nation !"
Future Singapore Leaders can set foot in the Oxley House when encounter insurmounable crisis and make this statement :-
"Our Pioneer Leader has build Singapore to become a 1st class nation from nothing.
Today we face an unsurmountable crisis. We are at a better stake than when we are in 1960s where we have nothing.
With grace from Oxley House, we can overcome this crisis and make our Nation better !"
This is the real reason - why we should keep Oxley House - as our Heritage (not personality cult, not dynasty).
(2) To allay the fear of Government taking over private property for Conservation, I believe Government will be willing to pay market values as compensation to property owner and ensure that property owner will be no loss.
(3) A private will - has legal power if properly written. Now it is whether beneficiaries that benefit from the Will are willing to negotiate, understand the significance of the House and compromise with Deep Wisdom and Big Heart - to accept Government compensation and offer Oxley House as Heritage as argued in point (1) above.
This is meant to benefit the 6 million Singaporeans and future descendants.
He is said to have wanted to avoid the kind of personality cult that can develop around strongman leaders.
--
I think Singaporeans fully understood Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 苦心 - his concern, his worries - that Meritocracy should be the values and principles in grooming Leadership and not through personality cult or dynasty.
Or let everyone see it from a different perspective :-
(1) If we do not build monument, should we knock down Sir Stamford Raffles statue? (and forget about our history as British colony and bustling port)
(2) If we do not build monument, should we knock down the Merlion statute - and forget about our history of Lion City, the Sang Nila Utama, the name called Temasek.
(3) If we do not build monument, should we knock down the World War 2 Peace monument at City Hall?
(4) If we do not build monument, should we knock down the old Supreme Court that feature the Colonial style building architecture?
(5) In the same vein, should we knock down the Sun Zhong Sun villa, the Alkaff mansion, the Peranakan Museum?
Then Singapore will has no more heritage - only HDB flats, MRT and tall commercial buildings.
Then what is Singapore's identity? What is Singapore Heritage?
HDB flats?
MRT?
I think many Singaporeans are supportive of demolishing the House for the following reasons :-
(1) Oxley House is a private property. The owner will have the right how should this property be handled and Govt should not step in.
(2) It is found in Mr Lee's will and has legal power to execute the Will.
(3) Many Singaporeans are fearful that even if Mr LKY's will can be overriden by Govt, then how about private citizens' house and property?
I think the above reasons are valid.
However, let us view it in another perspective :-
(1) Is Oxley House worth preserving?
Is it a historical significance - where many crucial historical events have taken place in the Oxley House worth preserving through Conservation as Heritage?
Singapore during the 1960's have witnessed life threatening situation, the fate of Singapore hangs in the balance, people are despair and fear for their future.
(a) British pullout - Singapore has no future which are so dependant on British's jobs.
(b) Singapore breakaway from Peninsula - Singapore has no more hinterland, even water supply is a big issue - and Singaporeans may die from thirst if not properly handled and trade is cut off.
(c) Racial riot
(d) Blood revolution to achieve a non-capitalist economy and political system
(e) No armed forces to protect Singapore
etc etc etc
---- all the above crisis over crisis - are resolve and overcome in the Oxley House.
So should Oxley House be conserved as a Heritage - to inspire future Singapore Leaders, Singaporeans - when we encounter future insurmountable crisis - that nothing is impossible to achieve.
The following declaration resonate in the Oxley House :-
"Today Singapore is a marsh land, a swamp. 10 years down the road - we will build Singapore to be a cosmopolitan city. A 1st class developed nation !"
Future Singapore Leaders can set foot in the Oxley House when encounter insurmounable crisis and make this statement :-
"Our Pioneer Leader has build Singapore to become a 1st class nation from nothing.
Today we face an unsurmountable crisis. We are at a better stake than when we are in 1960s where we have nothing.
With grace from Oxley House, we can overcome this crisis and make our Nation better !"
This is the real reason - why we should keep Oxley House - as our Heritage (not personality cult, not dynasty).
(2) To allay the fear of Government taking over private property for Conservation, I believe Government will be willing to pay market values as compensation to property owner and ensure that property owner will be no loss.
(3) A private will - has legal power if properly written. Now it is whether beneficiaries that benefit from the Will are willing to negotiate, understand the significance of the House and compromise with Deep Wisdom and Big Heart - to accept Government compensation and offer Oxley House as Heritage as argued in point (1) above.
This is meant to benefit the 6 million Singaporeans and future descendants.
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