Can 38 Oxley Road be altered despite being a national monument?

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38 Oxley Road Can Be Altered Despite National Monument Status, With Specific Privacy Considerations

The bungalow at 38 Oxley Road has been gazetted as a national monument, but this designation does not mandate that the building and its structures must remain in their original state. The specific approach to treating the building and its components will undergo further examination. Nevertheless, the Singapore government is committed to removing private living spaces from the interior to safeguard the privacy of the Lee family, regardless of the final decision on the property's future.
Future Treatment Subject to Further Study

The gazettement of 38 Oxley Road as a national monument, effective today, signifies its heritage value. However, official statements indicate that the precise conservation or modification of the building's fabric is contingent upon subsequent investigations. Access to the site will be required before these decisions can be finalised.
Commitment to Preserving Privacy

A key aspect of the government's commitment is to uphold the privacy wishes of Singapore's founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew. Under any proposed scenario for the property, private living quarters within the bungalow will be removed. This measure aims to ensure the continued privacy for Mr Lee and his family.
Multiple Options Remain Under Consideration

The fate of 38 Oxley Road has been the subject of ongoing discussion, with several options presented by a ministerial committee in 2018 still applicable. These possibilities include the preservation of the entire bungalow, the retention solely of the basement dining room where early People's Action Party meetings were held, or the demolition of the structure for redevelopment, potentially as a park or heritage centre.

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Can 38 Oxley Road be altered despite being a national monument?

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