Heritage Part 1: Preservation and Modernisation

I think that LKY's house should be demolished. His wishes concerning the Oxley Roadhouse should be respected, despite public calls for it to be preserved. The best way to honour someone’s memory is to respect his own wishes on how he wants to be remembered. Mr.Lee said “I’ve told the Cabinet, when I’m dead, demolish it. Demolish my house and change the planning rules …the land value will go up. I don’t think my daughter or my wife or me, who lived in it, or my sons who grew up in it, will bemoan its loss. They have old photos to remind them of the past.” Furthermore, even when buildings are still standing, many bear little resemblance to their past. There are many ways of remembering someone such as photos like what Mr.lee had listed. Mr.Lee has given his life in service to the people of Singapore and I feel this simple wish can be granted for him. Mr.Lee had always put Singapore's interest first, and the fact that the land value would go up when his house is demolished shows that Mr.Lee could contribute another thing to Singapore and that this wish should be granted. Mr.Lee and his wife had also repeatedly requested his son and daughter to ensure that his wish would come true, showing that Mr.Lee had considered the advantages of keeping the house, but had still eventually come to a conclusion that this house must be demolished.