New memorial and marker to commemorate Singapore's past

Question

Prof Tan Tai Yong: To ask the Prime Minister (a) whether he can elaborate on the Government's plans for the Konfrontasi memorial and the marker on the fight against communism including the significance of the sites and dates chosen; (b) what are the rationale and criteria in deciding on these two events for commemoration; and (c) whether this commemoration is a community effort or an internal decision by the Ministry.

Response

1. Minister Lawrence Wong: Let me start by explaining the rationale and criteria for these two commemorative events. The marker on the fight against Communism commemorates Singapore’s long struggle against the violence and subversion of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) from 1948 to 1989. It pays tribute to all those who braved Communist violence and intimidation, and especially those who lost their lives and made sacrifices to secure a non-Communist future for Singapore.

2. In June 1948, a state of Emergency was declared when the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) launched an armed insurrection in a bid to establish a Communist regime in Malaya, including Singapore. 8,000 civilians and security personnel were killed or wounded during the insurgency in Malaya and Singapore. In Singapore, at least 28 civilians and security personnel (including 11 police officers) were killed as a result of Communist violence. Many others survived Communist attempts on their lives, although some suffered serious life-altering injuries.

3. One such person was Abdul Wahid Baba, who was a young 21-year-old police constable on duty in Geylang when Communist gunmen shot him in September 1950. He was paralysed from the waist down, but the tragedy did not stop him from reclaiming his life and contributing to society. Despite being wheelchair-bound, Abdul Wahid went on to represent Singapore at the Paralympics and Pacific Games. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 83.

4. Former President Mr S R Nathan was also among the many Singaporeans who stood up against the Communists. He personally witnessed the violence of the Communists, especially immediately after the war, and confronted pro-Communist activists in the trade unions, where he worked in the 1960s. Mr Nathan will be the guest of honour at the event to unveil the marker.

5. The Konfrontasi memorial will honour those who lost their lives and suffered, as well as those who fought during Konfrontasi. It will remind us of a significant episode at our birth as a nation that threatened our very existence.

6. Konfrontasi was a campaign using armed force waged by President Sukarno of Indonesia from 1963 to 1966, to oppose the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. During this time, the First and Second Battalions of the Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR and 2 SIR), the only two regular army units that we had, were deployed elsewhere in Malaysia. Home front defence was entrusted to the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC) and the Vigilante Corps (VC). The VC was established in 1964.  Within 2 months, more than 10,000 people had volunteered.

7. During Konfrontasi, Singaporeans experienced dark days of insecurity. In Kota Tinggi, soldiers from 2 SIR were injured and killed in combat. But civilians were targeted too. In Singapore, there were at least 42 bombing attempts. 37 bombs exploded, claiming 7 lives and injuring at least 50 others.

8. Both conflicts – the struggle against Communism and Konfrontasi – not only claimed lives, but fundamentally threatened Singapore’s sovereignty and security. Had the Communist side won, we would be living in a totally different Singapore today. Likewise if Sukarno’s campaign to “crush Malaysia” had succeeded. Therefore, it is important to have tangible landmarks to help younger and future generations of Singaporeans understand how we got here, and why it was critical that our forefathers supported and fought for the security and future of Singapore. We should honour the memory of innocent civilians who became casualties, as well as brave defenders who sacrificed life and limb to protect our way of life. These landmarks will also remind us to stay vigilant, and maintain a strong defence to safeguard our peace and security.

9. The Member also asked about the significance of the dates and the sites chosen. The marker on the fight against Communism will be unveiled on 8 December this year. December will be the 25th anniversary of the signing of the 1989 Haadyai Peace Agreements between the CPM and the governments of Malaysia and Thailand. The agreements marked the formal end to the campaign of violence and subversion by the CPM and its satellite organisations to replace the legitimately elected governments of Singapore and Malaysia with a Communist regime that lasted four decades.

10. We will place the marker in the Esplanade Park along Queen Elizabeth Walk. This is a central and prominent location in the Civic District, close to other historical memorials, namely the Cenotaph, the Lim Bo Seng Memorial and the Tan Kim Seng Fountain, which have been collectively gazetted as a National Monument. By putting these markers and memorials together, we create a larger sense of Singapore’s history and the context of our early years.

11. The Konfrontasi memorial will be located opposite MacDonald House, on the Dhoby Ghaut Lawn. This reminds us of the events of 10 March 1965 – a date remembered by many as the darkest day of Konfrontasi, when a bomb planted by two Indonesian saboteurs exploded at MacDonald House, killing 3 innocent civilians and injuring 33 others. Mdm Elizabeth Choo and Ms Juliet Goh died at the scene, while Mr Mohammed Yasin bin Kesit died two days later from his injuries.

12. In recent months, the Home Team has received feedback from some retired police officers. They recalled episodes of Communist violence, assassinations, student demonstrations and labour strikes, and asked that recognition be given to those who fought the Communists. The idea for the Konfrontasi memorial was suggested by the Singapore Armed Forces Veterans’ League earlier this year. Even before that, members of the public had written letters suggesting various commemorative efforts for the MacDonald House bombing.

13. So the two markers have strong support from the community and government. As Singapore prepares to celebrate 50 years of independence next year, it is important to reflect on our collective past, and the struggles that we underwent to build today’s safe, secure and prosperous Singapore. The government and the people must continue to work together to instil in all of us, especially the younger generation, an awareness of the history that underpins our shared identity as a nation.