Singapore’s 52nd National Day - 9th August 2017
It was on the 9th day of August 1965 that Prime Minister of the day, Lee Kuan Yew, with tears welled in his eyes, declared:
” … Whereas … …
“AND WHEREAS by a Proclamation dated the ninth day of August in the year one thousand nine hundred and sixty-five the Prime Minister of Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman did proclaim and declare that Singapore shall on the ninth day of August in the year one thousand nine hundred and sixty-five cease to be a state of Malaysia and shall become an independent and sovereign state and nation separate from and independent of Malaysia and recognised as such by the Government of Malaysia.
“Now, I LEE KUAN YEW Prime Minister of Singapore, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AND DECLARE on behalf of the people and the Government of Singapore that as from today the ninth day of August in the year one thousand nine hundred and sixty-five Singapore shall be forever a sovereign democratic and independent nation, founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of her people in a more just and equal society.”
At that time, 1965, no one, if any, could foresee the success of a small nation with the physical size of only 268 square miles or 719 square kilometres in the midst of a much bigger country, Malaysia.
Yet, the first architects of the nation, led by a very competent leader, Lee Kuan Yew, set up the various infrastructures to ensure Singapore’s success. At this time when we are celebrating Singapore’s 52nd birthday, let us record the contributions made by each of the nine early ministers. Read about the contributions made by these nine early Ministers below:
Amongst the nine, the most outstanding is Dr. Goh Keng Swee, the architect to many successful projects like the compulsory National Service, the monetary and banking systems, the basic education in schools, Jurong industrial Estate, tourist attractions and even housing to every Singaporeans. This is how one seventeen year old Singaporean describes Dr. Goh’s contribution:
In what ways did Dr. Goh Keng Swee contribute to the success of Singapore?
Yu Mong Jin, who lives in Singapore, answered on June 18th, 2016:
- During his time as Minister of Defence and Interior, he formed created National Service (NS), a mandatory conscription system for able-bodied young males. This, many believe, is one of the many significant contributions during the tumultuous post-independence period of Singapore.
- Having the foresight that Singapore cannot rely on other countries for defense technologies, he established the Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) in 1967. The CIS manufactured military firearms for the Singapore Armed Forces.
- He was the man behind the birth of Jurong Bird Park, a very famous tourist attraction site.
- Mr. Goh spearheaded the formation of Economic Development Board (EDB), the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) and the Jurong Industrial Estate. These developments are vital to Singapore economic growth, even until today.
- He also made ripples in the education scene of Singapore. Mr. Goh introduced banding and streaming in schools, Pioneering the rise of Singapore as the country with one of the best education systems. However, the shot to global recognition had many downsides as well. The intense preparation that starts as early as kindergarten, over emphasis on expensive tuition and grades as well as the excessive stress the competitive education system places on children. Banding of schools was scrapped a few years ago. The topic of education has been very much, a contentious topic.
There are some other contributions, but I feel the ones above is what people (especially Singaporeans) will remember him for.
Dr. Toh Chin Chye, the Chairman of the People’s Action Party and the Deputy Prime Minister to Lee Kuan Yew, had helped to stabilise the young country during those formative years.
“A country, big or small, can only be great if the spirit of the people is great. That spirit must be devoted to the service of the country and of the people. The People’s Action Party will foster this spirit. We have every confidence that the people are with us.” Dr. Toh Chin Chye, speech made on 21st November 1954 during the inaugural meeting of the PAP (People’s Action Party).
Then there was Sinnathanby Rajaratnam. He played an important role of shaping the country’s multicultural identity, an inclusive Singapore identity of “one united people, regardless of race, language or religion.”
Many other noteworthy leaders came forward at important junctures of modern Singapore’s history to make up an overall successful story of modern Singapore.
Let us celebrate Singapore’s success by remembering these noble leaders. Check out the contributions to Singapore’s history made by the following persons:
Lee Kuan Yew
Toh Chin Chye
Goh Keng Swee
S Rajaratnam
Kenneth Michael Byrne
Ong Pang Boon
Yong Nyuk Lin
Ahmad Abrahim
Edmund W Barker
Fong Sip Chee
Suppiah Dhalabalan
Teh Cheang Wan