Singapore's First Tanks... and the story behind them

 

(Photo: Yusof Ishak Collection, Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore)

Commentary: What the release of Goh Keng Swee’s Albatross File means for Singaporeans

Parts of the Albatross file on display at a special exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore in 2015.
Raj Nadarajan/TODAY

EDMUND LIM

March 27, 2023


Our past has an impact on our present and also future. As Singaporeans, we should be open to enhancing our understanding of our national history.

On Feb 28, it was reported the Government has agreed to declassify and release documents in Dr Goh Keng Swee’s “Albatross File”, along with specific cabinet papers and Dr Goh’s notes of his conversations with the Malaysian leaders.

'Albatross file' with details of top-level talks before Singapore separated from Malaysia to be declassified, released publicly

Parts of the Albatross file on display at a special exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore in 2015. 

Raj Nadarajan/TODAY

• The Government has agreed to declassify and release documents in a file known as the "Albatross file" compiled by the late Dr Goh Keng Swee
• The file relates in part to the discussions between Singapore and Malaysia leading up to the Separation Agreement in August 1965
• Contrary to popular perception that Singapore was expelled from Malaysia, it presents a more nuanced picture of events
• Some of the file's declassified documents are to appear in a book on separation to be published later this year

JUSTIN ONG

February 28, 2023


SINGAPORE — The Government has agreed to declassify and release documents in Dr Goh Keng Swee’s "famous Albatross file", Minister of State for Communications and Information Janil Puthucheary said in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 28).

This is a file that the late Dr Goh, who is considered one of Singapore's founding fathers, kept in the run-up to Singapore’s separation from Malaysia in August 1965.

Commentary: Remembering Lee Kuan Yew and the founding fathers as we celebrate Singapore's independence and success today

As Singapore celebrates its birthday, let us recall the final words of Mr Lee at a press conference 57 years ago on August 9
 over the separation: “We unite regardless of race, language, religion, culture.” Nuria Ling/TODAY

EDMUND LIM

August 9, 2022

In former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s latest book, Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy, he described former Singapore’s founding prime minister Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew as one of the six transformational leaders.

These outstanding leaders, which also included ex-US president Richard Nixon and former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, had two key leadership modes of “prophet” which is transformational and visionary, as well as “statesman” which is managerial and pragmatic.

“People Weren’t as Bothered” — Seniors Recall Separation From Malaysia

by Sean Lim

August 9, 2022



Rice Media

It was Monday, 9 August 1965 when Separation was announced. In Singapore, pockets of residents went about very ordinary affairs across the island. Couples were on dates watching Clarence The Cross-Eyed Lion at Lido Theatre. At the same time, over at Gay World Stadium, spectators gathered to witness the final match of the Singapore amateur open boxing championships.

Why Lee Kuan Yew (SG History Personalised I)

 The video above covers the history of Singapore from the founding by Raffles. 

From 11:39 in the video, the narrative is typical of a Western-influenced perspective of Lee Kuan Yew, the Dictator.

Which is "forgiven" because LKY was on the whole "benevolent" and he succeeded in making Singapore a success. And success can forgive many things. And forget some things.

Lee Kuan Yew - a short video biography

Comment on the video:

This is good. I would have veered into hagiography. This is more balanced. Some thoughts: 

Born in tears

[This was originally posted on Facebook on National Day, 2010.]

While other countries had to fight and struggle for their independence, Singapore had independence thrust unwanted upon her. Well sure, we wanted independence, but as part of a greater federation of states, for economic viability as well as strategic strength.

COMMENT: How the 1967 Six-Day War influenced Singapore’s early nation-building

Vernon Lee

5 June 2017


Fifty years ago today, on 5 June 1967, a war began to rage in the Middle East that would go on to have a seismic impact on global politics to this day. Almost 8,000 kilometres away, the prime minister of a newly independent nation in Asia was keenly monitoring the progress of the Six-Day War, fought between Israel and five Arab countries.

Singapore - The accidental country

 I found this video covering the events of Singapore's independence, from a foreign history (or geography) "student".

He speaks a little fast, but he gets his points across. And not being Singaporean, his understanding (or interest) in the specifics was not too "cheem". And he was more concerned with borders, than with history.

Images from the Past: A Standpipe and our Water Story

Public Standpipe in Toa Payoh Village, c 1960s

http://www.nas.gov.sg/blogs/archivistpick/public-standpipe/

See news clipping (Dec 1961, below) on Johor buying water from Singapore in 1961.

Excerpt from a news blog about our Water Story:

Under the 1962 agreement Johor can draw up to 5 mgd of treated water. But they have raised their drawings up to 16 mgd. Why?

There are two water treatment plants on the Johor river operated by Malaysia, in addition to the one run by PUB (SG).