What to Celebrate About?

Is there a need to spend money and resources for the nationwide bicentennial celebration to mark the arrival of the British in Singapore with Sir Stamford Raffles’ landing on our island? 

The SBO (Singapore Bicentennial Office) said its aim was to tickle Singaporeans to think and reflect deeply on our history. But how many residents actually do this and visit our museums to reflect on our history? I observed very few do it these days despite giving free entry passes to all Singaporeans. 

From my memory, Sir Stamford Raffles did not do much for this island except to bring in trade and law and allowed many British to settle here. This attracted lots of immigrants to this part of S.E.A. seeking jobs and fortunes.  

When Second World War came to Malaya and Singapore, the British were the first to leave. This island was poorly defended as Lieutenant-General (LG) Arthur Percival assumed the Japanese would attack from the east and not from the north or west due to the thick jungles in northern Malaya. He miscalculated from wrong intelligence. That’s how Singapore fell into the Japanese just after one week of war (8-15 Feb, 1942). During the Japanese occupation of 3 years and 8 months, more than 50,000 people were killed or executed here. 

To know more about our history, visit “Reflections at Bukit Chandu” located at 31-K, Pepys Road. I believe many residents are not even aware of this heritage site. Sigh!