Delivering his National Day message at the Bay East Garden where he will be building a memorial for his father, dictator Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the location is a “wise choice”:
“This is a wise choice. Here, looking across the bay and beyond, we can remember the values of our founding leaders, see what they have built and commit ourselves to continue building Singapore.”
According to unverified statistics by the Lee Hsien Loong-appointed special committee, more than 32,000 Singaporeans have been “consulted” over two years and most of them expressed fervent support to build a memorial for his father.
The Founders’ Memorial is estimated to cost at least S$50 million in construction costs, and a yearly S$1 million in its maintenance budget. However there is no construction figures given by the Prime Minister or the special committee, hence the budget is as good as a blank cheque. There is also no details on the source of funds as the memorial is built for the Prime Minister’s father.
When Lee Kuan Yew was alive, he opposed all attempts by his son to build a memorial or statue of any kind. In his last will hidden from the Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew appointed his younger children to ensure that even his personal house at 38 Oxley Road is demolished. The former Prime Minister made it clear in his personal will and also in several public interviews with state media reporters.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong disregards his father’s wishes, and abused his power to use the government to stop the demolition of the house. The dictator Prime Minister was called a “dishonourable son” by his younger siblings, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling. In response, Lee Hsien Yang’s family was sent into exile as Lee Hsien Loong is charging them for faking their father’s will.