References:
Singapore Politics under the PAP
Creating “Greater Malaysia” Decolonization and the Politics of Merger
The Scripting of a National History, Singapore and Its Pasts

• Key dates

  1819:	Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company founds a settlement, Singapore.
  1826:	Singapore joins with Penang and Malacca to form the Straits Settlement
  1867:	Became the Crown Colony
  1941:	Japanese invaded Malaysia and Singapore
  1945:	Japanese Occupation. British rule resumes in 1945
  1948-1960:	Communist uprising in Malaysia (“the Emergency’)
  1954:	the People’s Action Party (PAP) is formed
  1955:	Labour Front wins in the Legislative election, its leader David Marshall becomes Chief Minister , PAP win 4 of 25 seats
  1957:	Marshall resigns and is succeeded by Lim Yew Hock. Detention of 35 pro-Communists
  1957:	Malaya independent
  1959:	“self –government”, PAP wins legislative assembly election, 43 out of 51 seats, Lee Kuan Yew becomes the new Prime Minister
  1961:	Tunku Abdul Rahman, Prime Minister of Malaya, in a speech made in Singapore raises the issue of forming a larger state, Malaysia which include Singapore, inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak
  1961:	left-wing dissidents in the PAP break away and form the Barisan Sosialis
  1961:	April Hong-Lim by-election, former Mayor Ong Eng Guan who was expelled from PAP won
  1962:	Singapore referendum on merger gives a majority in favor of Singapore becoming part of Malaysia
  1963:	Feb Operation Cold Store, security swoop ordered by the joint Security Council of Singapore, Malaya and Britain which resulted in the detention of some 130 communists
  1963:	13 Sept, Singapore merged with Malaysia to form the Federation of Malaysia
  1963:	PAP wins the general election against the Barisan Sosialis
  1963:	GDP growth in Singapore is negative
  1963-1966:	“Confrontation” against Malaysia by Indonesia
  1964:	PAP participates in the Malaysia general election , wins only one seat
  1964:	21 July,  UMNO secretary-general, Syed Ja’afar Albar, along with other Malay “ultras” started an inciting verbal offensive against the PAP in SG about Malay rights, which culminated in a race riot.  As late as August 17, clashes continued to occur in the Singapre district of Geyland.’ (p,21)
  1965:	May The formation of the Malaysian Solidarity Convention (MSC) , non-Malaya parties in Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah
  1965:	Singapore kick out from Malaysia and becomes an independent state
  1967:	Singapore becomes a founding member of ASEAN
  1968:	Barisan Sosialis boycotts the Singapore Parliament and general election; PAP wins all the seats

  
  
• PAP Policy

  Lee’s skepticism about democracy, (p.6, 7)), The PAP founders (not too differently from Lee himself) …believed that political stability was the top priority because it was a prerequisite for development and modernization. This belief accompanied a shared apprehension about the transferability of Westminster democracy to an Asian society and an underlying conviction that unfettered :democracy”……contained within it certain frailties always threatening to degenerate into mob rule. Although sacrifice of certain individual freedoms for the good of the whole (a concept traditionally part of certain Asian cultures) and for stability was necessary, at the same time they believed in constitutionalism and the rule of law as the only civilized alternative to arbitrary personal rule, the plague of the third world.”

  1. When PAP comes to power in 1959, their initial priority was dealing with unemployment, providing housing and industrialization.
  2. Suffered economically in mid 1960’s, confrontation with Indonesia 1963-1966 , which interrupted trade and the rapid rise in population growth to 4.5 percent annually. In 1964, there was negative econpmic growth,-4.3 percent . And Britain’s decision to withdraw from its military bases in 1968 reduced Singapore’s GDP by nearly 20 percent through the loss of jobs. (p.66)
  3. Recommendations from UN surveys formed the basis of Singapore first four-year development plan, which provided for an increase in the number of schools and housing.
  4. The adoption of Common Market as one of the reason for merger with Malaysia.  PAP determined to reduce Singapore’s dependnece on entrepot trade, and chose a policy of industralization, combined with discarding import substitution and concentration on expanding exports. (p.66)
  5. Goh Keng Swee, formed the economic strategy before 1959 election, he proposed to set up an Economic Development Board, which help financially sound projects from investors, both local and foreign, who were putting up factories in Singapore”(p.67)
  6. Economic Development Board implemented the “Jurong complex”, plan to be the site of iron and steel plant, also included a waterfront heavy industry zone. It is an expensive infrastructure but almost unoccupied. EDB expend the budget on this project long before they had any clients to pay for it. Critics refered it as “Goh Keng Swee’s Folly”, and its being a “Herculean achievement” (p.9) In 1968, “hived off” its Jurong projects to a new Town Corporation(p.67), to relieve itself of responsibility for industrial estates
  7. Tourism contributed but was not enough, the first two attempts at manufacturing -paper products and ceramics were not succeed (p.3)
  8. Cooperation with MNCs (multinational cooperations). Lee decided to make use of technology through cooperation with MNCs. “Choosing the MNC path” seems to be Lee’s personal interest (p.4). One of the first countries in SE Asia to make substantial use of multinational corporations

  “a status of a First World “oasis’ in a Third World region in respect of high standards in health, education, transportation, telecommunications and services. This would help to re-educate and re-orient Singaporeans, as well as being attractive to foreigners came to Singapore for business or pleasure. (p,4)

• Housing
  1. PAP concerns with housing partly by its shocking state when the party came to power. The supply was insufficient and the standards were low. Quick to perceive a well-planned and executed housing policy, help to reduce unemployment problem, especially in the construction industry.
  2. Politically, it boosts PAP popularity, exhibiting visible proof that the party kept its promises.
  3. Lee’s idea not only gratitude, but abiding gratitude, not living in a house, but of owning it, making a home of it (p.90)

  “Lee was conscious of housing’s possible effect on his own future, if it’s not completed by the time of the next election, he might not be re-elected. … recognition of the political importance of the housing program at that time. (p.91)

• Education
  1. Education system of Singapore is a key social control mechanism “to provide a cheap, disciplined labor force”; in instrument in the national development process; “as an investment”, with an emphasis on minimizing educational wastage; also ethnic implications.
  2. When PAP came to power in 1959, it inherited an education system with four media of instruction alone the lines of race and language. The schools were ethnically segregated, (except for English schools), their standards, syllabuses, and certificates were all different. Then PAP started to implement the standardization of content and exams, and modified the bilingual policy to emphasize English and respective mother togue.
  3. Because PAP leaders were interested in merging with Malaya, learning Malay for non-Malays also stressed.
  4. Building schools at a rate of one a month and dramatically increased the educational opportunities of young females (p.103)
  5. During 1940s and 1950s, Chinese schools are crucial breeding ground for the communists, and those supporting Chinese language and culture were labeled “chauvinists” and tainted as Communist supporters. After the Communists were defeated in mid-1960’s, the Chinese schools were “cleaned up: (p.106)
  6. PAP aware of the importance of education and language policy, education views as important nation-building and socializing institution and a mechanise for the management of ethnicity(p.100)
  
  
• Race
  1. Since colonial times, deep cleavage between English-educated and Chinese-educated Chinese. Languages and education differences resulted in intensive divisions in cultural and political orientation. The English-educated always predominated in positions of power and status. The Chinese-educated tended to be blue-collar and mass-based, politically left-wing and sometimes regarded as “chauvinists”.
  2. In Colonial time, different ethnic groups lived in separate areas, spoke their own languages and practiced their own religions, rituals and ways of life, described as “living side by side but separately “
  3. Singapore case is “ double minority” setting: the Chinese are a majority in Singapore, but a minority in the region; the Malays are a minority in Singapore but a strong majority in the immediate region. (p.99)
  4. PAP came to power in 1959, Malay as the national language and to have four official language (Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and Engl
  5. The official policy is multi-racialsim” and denied any intentions of trying to integrate the people”. “Our ideal has never been a melting pot” (p.101)
  6. Implemented some integrative policy later on: resettlement into integrated housing , known as HDB flats, promotion of English and the closure of Nayang University; integrated schools and national service (1967) (p.101)
  7. In 1966, English was made a compulsory language in bilingual education scheme.
  8. Nayang University founded in 1956, the only mandarin medium University in SE Asia, centre of classical Chinese learning and a hotbed of left-wings politics
  
  
• The politics of merger
  1. British decolonization and “Grand Design”
     • returned to SE Asia in 1945, first aims to reestablish security and stability in the region, to recreate the necessary conditions for rehabilitation and economic revival.

       “Malaya was especially valuable because it was the world’s primary producer of rubber and tin, both critical dollar earners for the Sterling area, while Singapore’s command of the vital sea-lanes of the Indian Ocean, South China Seas and the Southern Pacific made it a critical Iynchpin of Britains’ long term security considerations and defense obligations in the region, especially in relation to Australia and New Zealand”

     • for the purposes of policy-coordination, security pacts and economic collaboration, to adopt a regional approach, self-government would not be apportioned to the territories individually , but in blocs
     • In April 1955, Malcolm MacDonald, Britain’s Commissioner-General of Southeast Asia,:

       “Our ultimate objective is a Confederation between the five present territories of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei. We have already agreed that this should be achieved in two stages: first by a combination of (a) Singapore and the Federation and (b) the three Borneo Territories as separate entities; and second, by bring together these two groups under one appropriate constitutional government.

     • The British viewed the formation of an anti-communist super Federation, and the securing of the Singapore base, as the surest way to provide stability in Southeast Asia and therefore minimizing their internal security obligations in the region. Commonwealth links-involving the defence of Malaya, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, as well as relations with the United States, especially in the context of Cold war in Asia, would be enhanced through this initiative. Political stability would provide the necessary conditions for economic development, which in turn would foster trade between the West and Asia.
     • The Grand Design for a Greater Malaysia maintain British influence in post-colonial SE Asia, allow her to maintain the position in the world and keep balance of payments healthy and defense costs down
     • late 50’s, strategic interest more then economic benefits, cold war , communism , defense and security
     • by 1960, rubber and tin no longer essential to British balance of payments
     • for Britain, doubt Singapore can stay out of Malaya for long, it’s a military base, dependent on entrepot and free trade arrangement
     • SE Asia hotbed of Cold War tensions and great power rivalry following the emergence of communist China in 1949
     • outbreak of a communist-led insurrection in 1948 in Malaya, believed to be backed in large part of a discontented Chinese population, further deepened suspicion among Malay leaders of radical Chinese politics which was seen to be rife in Singapore.
     • witnessing the growing incidence of Chinese middle school riots and trade union protests in Singapore in the 1950’s, the Malayan government convinced that embracing Singapore would only compound their political problem in the Federation
     • future of Singapore concerns, especially in the wake of Malaysia independence in 1957.
     • Ensure Singapore not turn red and the best way of guaranteering was to make sure Singapore became part of the staunchly anti-communist Malaya
     • Singapore and the Borneo territories of Sarawak and North Borneo (later renamed Sabah) achieved their political independence through merger with Malaya. It marked the formal end of the British Empire in SE Asia.
     • Britain, former empire in SE Asia replace by a centrally positioned Commonwealth bastion, linking an extensive British strategic and military belt stretching from Aden to New Zealand.
     • four very different and disconnected territorial entities
     • politically ‘under-developed’ territories in North Borneo by allowing them to decolonize as part of the Malaysian state, preventing them from falling into the hands of Indonesia and the Philippines which had long claims to them.
     
     
  2. Singapore PAP government
     • 1961 May 27, at a luncheon meeting, Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, previously objected to the idea of taking the Chinese majority state of Singapore into the Federation
     • the possibility of bringing the territories of Singapore, Borneo, Brunei and Sarawak idea of union between Malaysia and the Borneo states hade been current in the UMNO circles form about 1956, and was already well-established by 1960
     • Tunku never an advocate of merger with Singapore and had resisted the move until 1961, main reason for Tunku initiative was essential political, overcome his earlier reluctance for merger with Singapore in an attempt to avoid the risk of having a “cuba in his Malayan backyard”
     • 1955 elections, no single party winning enough seats, Labour Front, won 10 of the 22 seats, form a coalition government with three additional seats from the Malay Union Alliance, David Marshall Chief Minister (p. 34.) He demanded the full internal self-government by April 1957, leave foreign policy and defense in hands of British.
     • David Marshall misread British intention and underestimated the concerns on security of Singapore
     • negotiations broke down and he resign, succeeded by Lim Yew Hock, 1956-1959
     • violent strikes and riots took place in 1956 and 1957 met with the a firm government reaction in the form of a number of arrest of labour and student leaders without trial.
     • Lim Yew Hock secure the promise of self-government for Singapore in 1959, provision for an extended franchise based on Singapore citizen and a parliamentary system of government based on popular elections were eventually agreed upon. Defense and external affairs remain in British hands, and responsibility for internal security shared jointly by British, Singapore and the Malayan government.
     • During Labour Front government of both made repeated overtures to Tunku, urging him to consider merger with Singapore, to them this was the only way in which Singapore could realistically convince the British to concede independence. Tunku not to reciprocate, like Lim for firm manner, deal with militant Chinese students and workers, even describe his government as “courageous and good” (p.35)
     • 1959 election, PAP won 43 of 51 seats, promise of “honest and efficient government”, give priority to tackle employment, housing and education, issues that appealed to the recently enfranchised working classes
     • PAP all alonged been committed to the goal of achieving political independent for Singapore within the framework of a united Malaya, ending of colonialism
     • establishemt of “an independence (and non-communist_ national state of Malaya comprising the .. the Federation of Malaya and the Colony of Singapore” (p/36)
     • establishemt of “an independence (and non-communist_ national state of Malaya comprising the .. the Federation of Malaya and the Colony of Singapore” (p/36)
     • increase employment for growing population , cut back depend on entrepot trade, need rapid industrialization, need integration with the economy and markets of the Federation is crucial
     • Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee, “whatever we do , major changes in our econmocy are only possible if Singapore and the Fedaration are integrated as one economy.”(p.37)
     • without some form of integration or common market, Singapore and Malaya in direct competition, cost of production lower in Federation.
     • The Singapore Government keen to establish an integrated industrial development programme with the Federation in the context of a common market.
     • PAP was divided between two ideologically diverse factions with incompatible ends and means” (p.39), Lee and a number of his moderate, English –educated, committed to achieve an independence, democratic and socialists Singapore, rival faction , powerful pro-communist union leaders like Lim Chin Siong, establish on a socialist Malaya through political change , if necessary. Lee need the help of Chinese education procommunist, they control of trade unions, Chinese schools, to win Chinese ground. Lee knew his attempt to ride on “communist tiger was fraught with danger”
     • radical left stirring up an anti-colonial mood in Singapore, Lee political position increasing tenuous as long as colonial, forms of colonial presence still evident in the island state, but without merger, not like British concede independence
     • from 1959, Lee took steps to create a pan-Malayan outlook in Singapore, to create in his world, “a Malayanised Singapore man who would talk , think and act like the exemplary Malaysian of the Federation.
     • to impress the UMNO leadership in KL, Malay was made the national language of Singapore, and a Malay Head of State (Yang di-Pertuan Negara) was installed. A Malay Education Advisory Committee was set up in 1959, and a Malayan school syllabus was introduced, end of 1959, the government agreed to provide all Singapore Malay citizens with free primary education, with the privileges extend to secondary and university education for suitably qualified Malay citizens (p.42)
     • former Mayor Ong Eng Guan, June 1960, open quarrel in Assembly, challenging to Lee charging PAP for underdemocratic and failing to make progress with independence, expelled from party as central exco. In Dec 1960, Ong vacated his eat in Hong Lim constituency but return with a vengeance in the by- election in April 1961, won with 73.3% , serious blow to PAP, PAP offered to resign , but the threatened resignation drew a round of protests from the communist who quick to promise support for the government, Lee believed that move motivated less by their concern for Singapore than the fear that the PAP would be replaced by a more resolutely anti-communist government, it’s a temporary respite. His position was weakened, increasing pressure from pro-communists, “separate and outright independence for Singapore, or for independence before merger. Lee not want this,
     • Hong Lim by-election made Tunku realised that the moderates rapidly losing ground and unless he did something to bolster Lee’s position, the government of Singapore would be taken over by the radical left, 1961 April, Lee and his deputy Goh Keng Swee, invited to KL t meet Tunku. Tunku still strongly opposed to direct merger, but the possibility of bringing in Borneo territories first if Singapore had to be taken in at later stage.
     • After meeting, Tunku request Lee to draft a paper on the ”grand design”, Philip Moore, deputy high commissioner in Singapore, highlight the attractiveness of the Grand design as an option of “general interest to the entire Malaysian region, while making references to the “possible dangers to the Federation of a movement in Singapore for complete independence” (p.45)
     • 1961 May, paper on the Grand Design, British and Federation Ministers for consideration, two alternative future of Brits territories in SE Asia, 1, for the territories to be given independence on its own, to function as separate, independent political units., developed , merger between Singapore and the Federation of Malaya would be abandonded as a political objective, and “power in Singapore would pass to a china-minded group with strong cultural and econ links with communist China.”, a pro-commun would emerge achieve independence with help of communists in China
     • other alternative is to establish of a larger Federation comprising the territories od Malaya, Singapore and the Borneo territories
     • “merger with Federation , survival from the communist threat

     Greater Malaysia, incorporated Borneo territories, would be the solution

     
     
  3. Malaysia
     • UMNO dominated Malayan Government objected over a million Chinese in Singapore upset the delicate racial arithmetic in the Federation.
     • In 1961, population of Malaya, over seven million, biggest group, just below half, of the overall, 2.7 million chin, 38 per cent, Indians, under 10 per cent
     • strong distrust of Singapore politics, described his Alliance government as right wing, SG-democratic socialism, he sup of socialism, syn with communism.
     • little or no econ benefits form merger that outweight the political disadvanatages,
     • Singapore economy depend Malayan’s econ, Federation not require the small Singapore market of one and half million , when its own domestic market of over seven millions, more substantial, “common market” non issues to Singapore, already enjoying duty-free entry for its good into Singapore
     • the three Borneo territories came in to a five-power federation the non-chi populations of those territories would be a counterweight to the Singapore Chinese, aware that Borneo was not a Malay country but nonetheless regarded the indigenous people as natural allies against the Chinese
     • Borneo territories as “the necessary sugar to sweeten the pill of Singapore”,
     • all of Greater Malaysia or nothing
     
     
  4. Separation
     • Tunku refers Singapore as a “problem child” (193)
     • join the Federation as largely autonomous state with rights to determine its own internal affairs, except in matters of defense , external affairs and internal security. In return for that special status, Singapore have to accept a prop small representation in the central parliament that it could claim on a population basis, Singapore citizens not allowed to vote or participate in Federal elections, in his schle, Singapore could prosper as the ‘New York of Malaysia”, Chinese population stay out of politics
     • “Cold Store” in Feb 1963, a security swoop ordered by the joint Security Council of Singapore, Malaya and Britain which resulted in the detention of some 130 communists sympathizers, which included political, trade union and student leaders. Dec 1962, similar security action , taken in Malaya, about 50 suspected communists rounded by the Malayan Special Branch., these action “crucial in securing Malayan acquiescene in the creation of the Malaysian Federation.
     • Severe blow to the Barisan Sosialis in Singapore, leaders were arrested, ease the political tension for Lee,
     • when agreement was signed, PAP knew Singapore already at a disadvantage position in number of ways.
     • in Legislative Absembly, critised Singapore citizens second class in the new Federation,
     • ambiguity of agreement contributed to and was aggravated by a series of political quarrels between 1963-1965
     • The decision by the Alliance and PAP to contest elections in Singapore and the Federation respectively soured the relationship.
     • The Alliance contest 1963 election in Singapore, performed dismally convinced Lee that KL not likely to leave Singapore to its own devises. UMNO felt that it had the right to champion the rights of Singapore’s Malay community. Lee felt that PAP needed to participate in Federal politics to ensure Singapore interest not jeopardized
     • Lee’s advocacy for a “democratic Malaysian Malaysia”, attempt to overcome the restrictions of the limited citizenship rights for Singapore and to create an integrated, all –Malaysia political arena for all Malaysians. Promote a national identity that would be based on race.
     • The formation of the Malaysian Solidarity Convention (MSC) in May 1965, non-Malaya parties in Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah

       MSC declared:
       “A Malaysian Malaysia means that the nations and state is not identified with the supremacy, well-being and the interests of any one particular community or race. A Malaysian Malaysia is the antithesis of a Malay Malaysia, A Chinese Malaysia, a Dayak Malaysia, an Indian Malaysia or a kadazan Malaysia. The special and legitimate rights of different communities must be secured and promoted within the framework of the collective rights, interest and responsibilities of all races The people of Malaysia did not vote for a Malaysia assuring hegemony to one community. Still less would they be prepared to fight for the preservation of so meaningless a Malaysia.

     • First MSC rally held in Singapore, leaders of Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawk parties, challenge the status quo bough tensions between Malays and non-Malayas to boiling point
     • Institue of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore
     • in Singapore, UMNO crusade for Malay support was gaining momentum. “ Lee wanted a Chinese Malaysia, he was a traitor to the cause of all Malayas, he was oppressing the Singapore Malays and would oppress all Malayas if give the opportunity. (p.29)
     
     
  
  
• Student protest
  • first major student protest movement is the May Thirteenth Incident of 1954, nearly 900 students from Chinese middle schools clashed riots squads over the colonial government ‘s drafting of young people for military service against the MCP which had mounted an insurrection in the jungles. 28 May arrested 8 members of the University if Malaya hostels, University Socialist Club for sedition in articles published in undergraduate magazine Fajar.
  • Influence of students grew joined the Hock Lee Bus Company workers in a labour strike, resulting in a riot on 12 May 1955
  • tertiary education students in the University of Singapore, Nanyang University, Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Collgeg and mainly revolving in 2 issues: matter of university autonomy and academic freedom, second was the conversion of Chinese middle school structure into an English –medium, multi-ethnic school system and the repeated denial of full government support for the newly established Chinese-medium Nanyang University
  • Oct and Nov 1966, another serious clash with the police at the Ministry of Education, the City Hall and on campus (post independence period from 1965, education reforms(p.138)
  • “socialist cultural revolution”
  • established a Ministry of Culture, 1, to eliminate yellow culture and to promote healthy cultural activities 2, to cultivate national consciousness and a spirit of national loyalty 3, to promote cultural fusion and create a Malayan culture. (at a Legislative assemble debate in August 1960, K.C. lee )p.87
  • to style the PAP as a righteous and incorruptible force, on the threshold of ushering in a new age for Singapore(p.87)
  • K.C. Lee appointed as Ministry of Culture (1959-1961), implementing multiculturalism (p.88)
  • 18 June 1961, the “rebels” Lim Chin Siong , Sandra Woodhull and Fong Swee Suan, whom PAP identified as communists or pro-communists, went to see Lord Selkirk, British Commissioner-General for SE Asia to find out whether British would accept a Government without Lee Kuan Yew and his compatriots, went on lobbying other PAP members (p.88)
  • cause the downfall of the present government so that during the transitional period when the parliamentary secretaries took over the government, they could manipulate everyone form behind the scene and assert overall control.
  • July 20 1961, Lee held special meeting debate a motion of no confidence in the government, 13 PAP assemblymen abstained form voting, indicate their lack of confidence, expelled from party and to form the Barisan Sosialis (p.89)
  • The Nantah affair, founded in 1956, financial support of all classes in Chi community, lack of recognition
  • a flashpoint in the Sept 1963 election, Tan Lark Sye, Chairman of the Nanyang University Council and founding father, provided overt financial support for all Nantah graduates who ran on the Barisan ticket. The Nanyang University Graduate Guild also aligned itself openly with the Barisan. Nantah and Chi education became a major issue in the election.
  • Campaign strategy to fend off accusations that the PAP was anti-Chinese education, emphasis the non-communist aspects of their “Chineseness”
  • after 1963 election victory, PAP government revoked Tan’s citizenship , combined issues of citizenship and the reconvening of negotiations on Nantah’s reorganization triggered students demonstrations, supported by thousand of workers form the unions, (p.92)
  • Lee proclaimed represent “the Rest against the Communists”
  • intended to put their Chi-educated background to good use
  • June 5 1964, Nantah Liaison Committee, six point agreement over Nantah reorganization. 41 Nantah students were arrested, largest since Operation Cold Store.,justified as internal security measure, against subversion communist elements” (p.93)

“Berita Singapura” (Singapore News) was produced by Cathay Film Services. In 1960, Cathay Film Services was commissioned to produce a series of films called “Peoples’ Singapore”. These films were overt mouthpiece of the government, and did not attempt to conceal that fact. “Berita Singapura”, started in 1963, was difference from the more propagandist “Peoples’ Singapore”, in Berita Singapura”, government policy and ideology were intentionally obscured by a public-relations strategy aimed at conveying the impression that the “Berita Singapura” films and film-makers were semi-independent of government, and were attempting to deliver a disinterested and impartial account of the condition of Singapore. The principle task was to promote the notion of Singapore as an interracial society, with a hybrid culture, existing within the boundaries of a unitary nation state, which served its various ethnic groups without discrimination. ¹

The first contracted was signed with Cathay Film Services on 13 December 1962 and first film completed on 4 January 1963, and the last film completed on October 1969. Cathay Film Services produced two per month, releasing them fortnightly. The series was shown on TV Singapura, and Federation TV (when part of Malaysia) distributed to cinemas in Singapore the Malaysian Federation and Borneo. Noni Wright was the first producer and director of the series until her death on June 20, 1964. Later Mr. Toh Weng Kai took over. Each film ran from 6 minutes to 12 minutes each and usually divided into three to four topics or events. There were 6 languages available: Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Tamil and English.

“Berita Singapura” was commissioned by the PM Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore and given an initial one-year contract beginning January 1963. Upon talks concerning the renewal of the contract the following autumn, the decision was out to the: Film Sub-Committee.” The members of the sub-committee were divided in the decision of renewal with the most vocal member, Lee Kong Chong of Radio Singapore, stating that, “all language versions at present are handles by one English producer (and then translated), who may not possibly understand the non-English-speaking people very well.” Lee argues that the “…presentation of the English version may seem suitable for the English-speaking community, but not necessarily suitable for the communities of the other three languages. To copy everything from the English version and give it to the Chinese people is just like asking them to swallow English food. They may find the taste funny and may not like it or digest it.” Despite the initial split of the sub-committee members, the second contract with Cathay for “Berita Singapura” was approved with apparently the PM’s support of the series swaying the Film Sub-Committee and continued to be contracted out to Cathay through 1969 even after the TV Film Unit and TV Singapura was well into making their own productions.

In Tom Hodge (Head of Cathay Film Services) proposal to the Singaporean government, he describes the concept of “BS” to be a “News magazine rather than news films” with the content being “almost anything that happens in Singapore which can be used to illustrate Government’s policies and show Government’s concern for the people’s wellbeing, “The …aim and object of the series is that the audience will accept them as newsfilms without the films being considered Government propaganda.”²

There are total 86 films produced and they are available in the National Archives of Singapore for viewing on location. The catalogues are available and there are a brief description of each film and a one-minute preview for some of the films. 48 films had been viewed during the field trip to Singapore and 15 films had been selected for detailed study.

“Berita Singapura” covered Singapore society from 1963 to 1969. In 1963, Singapore merged with Malaysia to form the Federation of Malaysia. In 1965, Singapore was kicked out from Malaysia and becomes an independent state. Therefore Singapore during the 1960’s was in a very turbulence period, facing political unrest, racial tensions and racial problems. There were 216 episodes among the 86 films. These can be classified under 12 topics (appendix I), 1. Relation with other countries, 2. Singapore/Malaysia nationality /unity, 3. Government administration, 4. social welfare, 5. City development, 6. Public Utilities/Facilities, 7. Housing, 8. Traffic. 9.Education, 10. Economic development, 11. Leisure activities, 12. Customs and Traditions. The topics covered in “Berita Singapura” were mostly about Singapore internal affairs, half of them (125) are about government policy (social welfare, pubic facilities, housing etc.), and around ¼ (65) are about leisure and cultural activities. (appendix I)

1. The Infantry Regiment, Training Blind People, “Tai Chi”

   Title:	The Infantry Regiment Training Blind People “Tai Chi”
   Location:	NAS, 1982000062
   Date:	1963
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Duration:	00:05:59

   1. The Infantry Regiment

      The film is about Singapore Head of state Yusof bin Ishak visited the Infantry Regiment and took the salute to them. The narrator said, “ They were called as Singapore Infantry Regiment before and which is now called the Malaysian Infantry Regiment.” The Commander and the Head of State touring around the camp and speak to the soldiers. The soldiers were keen showed them how to use the weapons.  The narrator said “He has lively interests on everything he saw.”  It also mentioned in the film that the Head of State convey personal congratulations to the soldiers,  “wonderful job in wiping and the ban of Indonesia invaders in Kota Tinggi”. “The record of your Regiment does honour to Singapore. You have indeed play an important part in the defense of our nation”

      The tone of the film is positive and stress on the victory of the Infantry Regiment. It conveys a patriotic sentiment by using those words such as “wonderful”, “wiping out. It uses the usual diagonal angle shot for introducing the Infantry Regiment. Then there are close up on the face of soldiers, commander and the Head of State. Apart from marching, it also captures the soldier’s demonstration with weapons and communication devices.

      Contradictions

      The whole film is focus on the Infantry Regiment and the Head of State. But there is a shot of two women sitting on the chairs in a relax way. There is no mention of who they are and what they are doing. Their appearance in the film looks awkward as the film is in a patriotic sentiment and they look like they are joining some casual activities. One of them, the one closer to the camera is believed to be the wife of the Head of State. The tone of the film is strong, serious, dedicated and professional but this shot is in a contrast. It turns away the attention of audience. Besides, there are no Chinese faces appeared in the film, only Malaysians.

      The film is taken in 1963, the year of Singapore joining the Federation of Malaysia. Therefore it said, “Singapore Infantry Regiment before and now called Malaysian Infantry Regiment.” However, there was no mention of the historical fact. It is only emphasis on the defense of the nation.  Besides, there is no mention on the confrontation with Indonesia. There is an absence of historical background.  It seemed that this film is trying to promote a sense of unity and a Malaysian identity through attacking a common enemy: Indonesia. The merger of Singapore to Malaysia was not a smooth one and there was indeed conflict between the Singapore PAP government and the UMNO government in Malaysia. So in the year of 1963, at the beginning of the merger, it is believed that the creation of a unified identity is essential in Singapore.

      Historical Context

      • The confrontation of Indonesia against Malaysia occurred from 1963-1966. Indonesia was opposed to the establishment of Malaysia. American government worried about the growing influence of the Soviet Union in Indonesia. Indonesia also had ambition in British Borneo. The aggression against British or Malayan territories are implemented not through a declaration of war, it included dropping of bomb or paratroops in Malaysia and Singapore. Indonesia was trying to postpone the formation of Greater Malaysia by creating mischief.

      Keywords

      • Infantry Regiment. Singapore. Malaysia Head of State. Indonesia invaders

      Ideas

      • The union of Singapore and Malaysia. The defeat of Indonesia

      What we see and hear

      • soldiers in line, road building, women sitting on chairs, captains, uniforms army, communication devices, radio, barrack, sleeping quarters, soldiers on beds, military equipment, guns, soldiers faces, weapons
      • strong and positive music

      Shot breakdown

      1. The word: “SHABASH”, the Infantry Regiment marching
      2. close up of commander
      3. soldiers marching, moving camera from right to left
      4. soldiers marching, moving camera from left to right
      5. 2 women sitting on chairs in a relax way
      6. close up on soldier face
      7. close up on Commander who is wearing sunglasses
      8. soldiers marching
      9. soldiers showing commander the use of weapon
      10. close up on commander checking the weapon
      11. close up on one soldier speaking to Head of State
      12. close up on the Head of State
      13. soldier using the communication devices
      14. close up on Head of State
      15. close up on devices
      16. soldier using the communication devices
      17. soldiers walking in the camp
      18. inside the camp, soldiers sitting on bed
      19. close up on Head of State and then to other senior soldier who is wearing glasses
      20. young soldier answering
      21. Head of State speaking
      22. cut back to the soldier
      23. close up on Head
      24. soldier showing weapon
      25. close up on the soldier in charge, cut back to Head of State
      26. soldier showing guns
      27. close up on that soldier

      Notes

      Shabash: an Indian expression meaning well done.

   2. Training Blind People

      This film is about the Singapore Industrial Centre for the Blind. It is a voluntary organization for the blind. The film can divide into two parts. The first part is a depiction of the working environment in the Centre. The narrator said in Malaysia, there are many voluntary organizations and this is the school of blind and industrial training centre for age 19 or above. Blind men and women are making weaving cane baskets of different shapes and sizes. Then it shows a blind man operating an electric saw and the narrator said, “ How amazing a blind man can work like this…even surprise …”. It also showing they are doing carpentry work, making chairs with nails and blind woman working the sewing machine. After that, the film shows different kinds of chairs and baskets. Then, it moves to a classroom where a female teacher giving instructions to the class of blind students. The narrator said the teacher “needs patient and understanding “ in teaching them.

      The second part is in a small ceremony, Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Head of State of Singapore) giving speech, “I rightly proud of the work done by voluntary association for the blind. And for the country is measured by care and devoted to handicapped, then Singapore must stand high in the world.” Then it shows some Chinese women audience, probably wives of the important guests. The narrator said the products are sold over Singapore and the money is used to support the organization. There are also grants from the government.

      Contradiction

      • The narrator said there are many voluntary organizations in Malaysia. The society in the 60’s is still under-developed and the Government needs to deal with unemployment and growing population as well as education problem. Social welfare is not on the agenda. The film is trying to project a caring image for the government. Based on the information from the National Archives of Singapore, the ceremony was on 6 July 1963, a few months before the Legislative Election (Sept 1963). It was believed to serve as a campaign strategy.

      Keywords

      • Blind people. Voluntary.

      Ideas

      • Taking care of the minority. Promoting government policy. Building up the image of Singapore.

      What we see and hear

      • Blind men and women working. Making baskets. Using sewing machine. Using electric saw. Different shapes and sizes of baskets and chairs. Classroom. Giving speech.

      Shot Breakdown

      • Singapore industrial centre, building signage
      • woman weaving , group shot and then close up on one woman working
      • another woman  working,  focus on her hands
      • close up on her face showing she’s blind
      • 4 men working, weaving
      • focus on one man
      • focus on one woman making basket
      • product shot, baskets of different sizes
      • machine, man working on
      • blind woman working
      • man wearing glasses working
      • blind man using electric saw
      • wide shot of people working
      • man  working on dfferent carpenter 
      • legs stepping on the machine, then focus his hands
      • man making canvas chairs
      • product shots of  4 chairs and some baskets
      • in classroom, teachers teaching, young blind boys and girls
      • close up on one woman
      • close up on small pupils
      • woman in uniform
      • giving speech a hall,
      • audience, mainly Chinese women, one close up on Indian woman
      • women audience claps hands

   3. Tai Chi

      The film is about practicing “Tai Chi” in Singapore. The narrator said “today this ancient Chinese arts is fast catching on with people of all kind everywhere, man and woman, young and old attending course regularly. It shows rows of elderly men and women practicing the moves of "Tai Chi”. Then it focuses on one young woman and one middle age man practicing. After introducing the moves, the film shows men and women practicing “Tai Chi Chuan” (Chinese shadow boxing). There are some people around watching them. The narrator said, “Tai Chi, Chinese shadow box, some called it’s a physical culture and self defense, was founded 700 years ago during Sung dynasty, Tai Chi helps to “keep health, good for blood circulation and digestive. It can practice anywhere, anytime and relaxing.”

      Contradiction

      The film is trying to present a picture that Tai Chi, the ancient Chinese arts is popular in Singapore. It said man and woman, old and young are practicing Tai chi. however, there are mainly old or middle age men and women doing it in the film. It is believed to be taken in a certain Chinese club or society, but no information is provided in the film. The film is depicting a healthy image for Singapore. One important point is to promote “Chineseness”. PAP needs to deal with the accusations of anti-Chinese education as the pro-Communists dominated party “Barisan Sosialis” is taking control of the Chinese schools. The strategy for PAP needs to emphasis the non-communist aspects of their “Chineseness”. Therefore, promoting Tai Chi, which is an ancient Chinese culture and a healthy activity is the best way to show their Chineseness in order to gain support from local Chinese.

      Keywords

      • Tai Chi. Man and woman. Chinese culture. Healthy

      Ideas

      • Chinese culture in Singapore. Chinese culture for all ages and all classes

      What we see and hear

      • Chinese men and women practicing Tai Chi. Moving of arms and legs.
      • Relax music

      Shot Breakdown

      • group of old women and men playing taichi

      • close up on a young woman
      • middle age man
      • group shot of people playing tai chi
      • old woman practice
      • two men practicing, movement of the arms
      • focus on a man teaching
      • shot on legs and the arms
      • top shot of group of people practicing 
      • 2 men rotate their arms
      • audience watching
      • a young man and girl practicing -one man turn up from the ground, stand up and practice with the girl

2. Malaysia Amateur Sports

   Title:	Malaysia Amateur Sports
   Accession Number:	1982000260
   Date:	1965
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Quantity:	good
   Duration:	00:08:16

   The film is about the Malaysia Amateur Sports event. It begins with the King and Queen of Malaysia entering to the venue. The narrator said “it is indeed a proud day for Singapore when the Majesty King and Queen of Malaysia came to Singapore for the Malaysia national amateur athletic championship.” They are accompanied by Director of the National Amateur Championships, Dr Mohd Ghazali Syafi, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Inche Othman Wok, opening the Championships at Farrer Park Athletic Centre.

   Then King and Queen with all guests entered the venue and different teams also marching into the venue. There are 325 athlete participated and each team is led by some men representatives, who are wearing suits and then followed by the men and women athletics. The King presented the souvenir to the representatives and Inche Othman Wok presenting souvenir to Yusof bin Ishak(Head of State). With the Malaysian Amateur Sports flag raised and balloons released into the air, the Champions started. At first, Singapore's team captain, Mr. M. Jegathesan taking championship oath. After that, he is running on the track and wins the race. Then he received trophy and medal.

   The film continues to describe the sport event by introduce the race one by one, men and women race, pole-vaulter, high jump and hurdles. The film showing the athlete and then present trophy. The shots are repeating with this sequence for various races. Between each race, there are shots showing audience, mainly young boys and girls clapping hands. It seems that some audience are watching outside the venue.

   At the end, Jegathesan receive the award by the Head of State as a tribute to his outstanding service to athletic. The narrator said Singapore won 14 gold metals and become the Champion. Sabah and Sarawak was the second and third runner up. Then various teams matching and leaving the track. The narrator said the teams would meet again in Penang.

   General Comment

   The film is a general depiction of a sport event. What we can see most in the film is different teams marching and athlete in the race. But only one name was highlighted and it was Mr. M. Jegathesan. He appeared in the beginning and at the end. He is the representative of Singapore and Olympics runner. The film fails to create an intense and exciting atmosphere for a sport event. All the shots are quite similar with various athletes running or jumping and then present trophy. There are few shots on the audience and the focus only at the guests. It seems that competitions are not exciting. There are no information about the event or any stories about the athlete. The 8-minute film is quite boring.

   Contradiction

   The event is called Malaysia national amateur athletic championship. The King and Queen of Malaysia came to Singapore for this event. So it should be an important event as the commentary said it is a proud day to Singapore. However, no background information was given such as how many states participated? When was it first started? Who is the organizer? At the end the narrator said the team would meet again in Penang. So this is not a one-time event. But again, no details were given. Singapore is the spotlight of the event. However, how about the development of sports in Singapore at that time? There are few shots showing audience but it seems they are outside the venue. Are the general public totally excluded?

   The event was in 1965, a crucial year as Singapore was separated from the Federation of Malaysia. The relationship between Singapore and the Central Government was intense. However, this event seems to be an example of unity of Malaysia. Representatives from different state gathered together for a sport event. Are there any political reasons for organizing this event? How about the significance of Mr. M. Jegathesan? He is the representative of Singapore. The film is trying to connect his achievement to Singapore, an outstanding states among others Malaysian states?

   Historical Context

   Lee Kuan Yew has advocated for a “ Malaysian Malaysia” , attempted to create an integrated all-Malaysia political arena in Malaysians. The PAP government formed the Malaysian Solidarity Convention (MSC) in May 1965, united the non-Malaya parties in Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah. It is indeed a strategy to challenge the Malaysian-dominant central government in Kuala Lumper. Therefore the political atmosphere during that period is quite intense, contracted with the harmony and unity promoted by the Sports event.

   Keywords

   • Malaysia. Singapore. Sports. Mr. M. Jegathesan

   Ideas

   • The unity of Malaysia. Singapore achievement in Sports. Constructing a Singapore identity

   What we see and hear

   • Trees, King and Queen, government officials, Sportsmen and sportswomen. Chinese, Malaysians and Indians. Malaysian Amatuer Sports Flag. Balloons. Sportsmen matching. Audience outside venue. Race. Pole vaulter. Hurldes. Time-keepers. Trophy.
   • Strong, energetic music

   Shot Breakdown

   1. King and Queen, wearing traditional Malaysian costumes arrive, accompanied with government officials, walking slowly into the venue. Two photographers taking photos in front of them
   2. Crowd of people outside the venue
   3. All guests walking into the opening ceremony
   4. Matching of athletes, in a causal way
   5. Cut back to audience, focus on Inche Wok
   6. Other teams marching, representatives wearing suits and followed by athletes, both men and women, cut back to guest
   7. Other teams marching, representatives wearing suits and followed by athletes, both men and women
   8. Overview of the venue, announce the opening of the event
   9. King presented souvenirs to representatives
   10. Inche Wok presenting souvenir to Yang di-Pertuan Negara Yusof bin Ishak
   11. Thousand of balloons released into the air; Malaysian Amateur Sports flag raised
   12. SG team captain Mr. M. Jegathesan cheers to the team
   13. Setting for the race
   14. M. Jegathesan won the race and received trophy
   15. Audience clap hands
   16. Women 100 race, present trophy to winner
   17. Cut back to audience
   18. Man 100 races, M. Jegathesan won, received trophy and take picture with guest.
   19. pole vaulter; clearing the pole
   20. high jump event
   21. hurdles competition
   22. shot on time keepers and then spectators
   23. shots of the various men and women running events
   24. young girls clapping hands
   25.  Jegathesan receiving award
   26. young boys clapping hands
   27. setting for another run
   28. wide shot of Man 400m race
   29. shot on timer
   30. young boys clapping hands
   31. present trophy
   32. crowd of audience outside the venue
   33. closing ceremony, speech, tribute to Mr. M. Jegathesan
   34. Lowering of flags
   35. Athletics matching, leaving the track

3. Singapore Artists, Maintaining Cleanliness, International Athletics Competition

   Title:	Singapore Artists Maintaining Cleanliness International Athletics Competition
   Location:	NAS, 1982000264
   Date:	1965
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Duration:	00:07:34

   1. Singapore Artists

      The film introduced four Singapore artists, three are doing paintings and one is doing sculpture.  The first one is doing Batik painting*, the commentator said, “Batik painting is an art with its origin lost, but also have modern application. It becomes popular among some artists”. Then showing the Batik painting process and his studio. The second one is doing oil painting and his style is Chinese people village life. The third one is using his fingers to draw picture. It shows a traditional style painting of some birds.  The commentary said he has a wide influence on teaching of art in Singapore.  Then the camera shows an artist carving from wood and show his sculptures. At the end, the commentary said, “these four Singapore artists recently lent some of their paintings to the exhibition in St. Andrew Children Hospital and over 10,000 dollars had been collected from the exhibition but the artists donated to the hospital.”

      Notes: Batik painting is a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to whole cloth or cloth made using this technique. This kind of painting can found in China, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Sri Lanka, and the batik of Indonesia is the most well known.

      Contradictions

      The main theme is about four local Singapore artists. All the shots are either closes up on the artists working on the artworks and also the artworks, paintings and sculptures. It also has wide shot on the artists’ studio. They are all Chinese artists and they are doing traditional style of painting. It mentioned the Batik painting is popular among some artists and also one of the artists has wide influence on teaching of art in Singapore. However, the film did not provide any information on the art scene and art education in Singapore at that time. The focus is on the artists themselves. In 1965, Singapore has just kicked out from Malaysia and the society is facing many uncertainties. But the tone of the film is very clam and completely ignored the social and political situation. At the end of the film, it mentioned there was an exhibition in St. Andrew Children Hospital and the artists donated the money to them. Once again, the film did not provide any shot on the hospital or anything about the donation. We didn’t know whether it is a charity or not. The film is trying to build on a notion of Chinese culture, which belong to middle class.

      Keywords

      • Artists, painting, Chinese, sculptures

      Ideas

      • Singapore local Chinese artists. Artworks donating to Children’s Hospital

      What we see and hear

      • Chinese painters and sculptors, Batik Paintings, Traditional Chinese Painting, artists’ studio, mellow Classical music

      Shot breakdown

      1. PELUKIS2 SINGAPURA
      2. Front shot of an artist
      3. Artist painting
      4. Close up of painting strokes
      5. Close up of artist
      6. Waxing the lines of the painting
      7. Repeat close up shots
      8. Wide shot of his studio
      9. Close up on paintings
      10. Artist coloring
      11. Close up of paintings
      12. Immerse painting in water, 
      13. Display of the various paintings
      14. Close up of paintings, showing woman wearing a Vietnamese style hat
      15. Another artist painting
      16. Close up of painting
      17. Close up on the brush
      18. Close up of paintings, showing a Chinese village
      19. Front shot of another artist
      20. Using his fingers to paint
      21. Close up of his work
      22. Painting a bird
      23. Close up on the painting
      24. Artist carving from wood
      25. Close up on the sculpture
      26. View of variety sculptures

   2. Maintaining Cleanliness

      The theme of this film is about cleaning the street in Singapore. It begins with “ In the tropical climate of Singapore, it’s vital that rubbish should be collected in dispose without delay.” In the earlier part, the film keeps showing worker cleaning, collecting rubbish on the streets.  The commentary said, “It’s generally recognized in Singapore and overseas, the Health Authority had tackled this problem so well to make a Singapore a very clean and healthy state”. We see the male Chinese workers who did not wear uniform or have professional tools to do the cleaning jobs. The camera show they are sweeping and collecting rubbish on the streets put the rubbish in the rubbish bin and then to the rubbish cart. The camera clearly shows there is rubbish everywhere.

      Then commentary said, “But concern for health and public hygiene, it’s not the matter for the authority alone, people who flow their rubbish in the street and in the drains, make thing so much more difficult for those who have to keep the place clean and tidy.“ In the latter part, we can see pedestrian throwing and dumping rubbish, the commentary said. This cost money, money which collect from taxes we all pay……  save the state money, money should be good spend on schools, hospital, dispensary, roads and industrial development,”

      The film then show woman throwing rubbish into the bin. Another man throwing and dumping rubbish on the street, man shaving sugar cane in the street.  The commentary said it’ s untidy and give bad impression to tourist and Singaporeans. It is unlawful and any person found guilty of dumping rubbish will be charged for $100 and 25 dollars a day until the offence stopped.  In the end, the camera focus on a Chinese housewife who throw the rubbish in rubbish bin and with this commentary, “Let’s be house proud, city proud and state proud, keep the state clean, tidy and healthy, put rubbish where it belongs, in a bin.”

      Contradiction

      The film is totally in contradiction. The title is “Maintaining Cleanliness”, but what we see most in the film is rubbish. All the images area about rubbish, workers sweeping on the street, pedestrians throwing rubbish. It showed a very dirty and chaotic environment. But the commentary said, “It’s generally recognized in Singapore and overseas, the Health Authority had tackled this problem so well to make a Singapore a very clean and healthy state. The film shows the opposite. Singapore at 1960’s was an extremely undeveloped place; there is lots of poverty. It showed clearly that the citizens need civic education. Their sense of public hygiene is very low. They just throw rubbish on the street even the rubbish bin is just nearby. Besides, the film shows different classes and racial behavior. The workers are male, Indian and Chinese. The middle class housewife behaves better while the Chinese lower class behaves badly.

      The film also linked up the city cleanliness as something proud to be. The state needs to be tidy and organized.

      Keywords

      • Clean, rubbish, rubbish bin, health

      Ideas

      • Cleaning the city, throw rubbish in the rubbish bin, he

      What we see and hear

      • Rubbish, rubbish bin, workers sweeping and collecting rubbish, people throwing, dumping rubbish

      Shot breakdown

      1. Menjaga Kebersehan
      2. Close up on the rubbish, someone sweeping
      3. Someone, half shot, wearing sandals, using hands to sweep rubbish
      4. Someone clearing of blocked drains, close up on rubbish in the drain
      5.  Worker wearing a hat, half shot
      6.  Sweeping rubbish into basket
      7.  Worker put rubbish into the rubbish cart
      8. Another worker, half shot, sweeping rubbish into rubbish bins, lots of rubbish on the street
      9. Worker put the rubbish into the rubbish cart
      10. Put the rubbish into the rubbish cart
      11. Worker squeezing the rubbish into the cart, the cart is full of rubbish
      12. The cart move showing three workers standing on the cart
      13. Another worker pulling a big rubbish cart on the street, wide shot, from right to left, the cart is full of rubbish,
      14. Another worker pulling a big rubbish cart, from left to right, a three-wheels car passed by, 
      15. A Chinese man putting rubbish in the bin, close up on the rubbish bin
      16. A Malaysian woman coming out of home, put the rubbish in the bin outside her house
      17. A Chinese young man standing at bus stop, eating and then throw the rubbish on the street, close up on the rubbish bin nearby, which is surrounded by rubbish, and the rubbish bin “Use Me”
      18. A Chinese middle-age man shaving sugar cane in the street
      19.  Close up on the rubbish in the street
      20. Another close up shot on the rubbish bin which is full of rubbish, and lots of rubbish on the street
      21. Another close up on paper throwing on the street
      22. Another close up on the rubbish on the street, a big cardboard, and then move to the street shot, see pedestrian and bicycle
      23. Close up on a Chinese housewife, smiling
      24. She put the rubbish into the small rubbish bin
      25. Close up on putting the rubbish into a large rubbish bin and then close the lid

   3. International Athletics Competition

      The film is about an International Athletics Competition taken place in Singapore. It said there were 7 members from American team competed with Singapore and Malaysian team. We see athletes competing in long jump, high jump and hurdles races. The shots are quite repeated. It said, “ Competition was keen, special reward with skills, strength and speed.” At the end, it said, “Singapore athletes are sure benefit immerse from international competition like this, they own a great deal to American teams for making the trip to Singapore”

      Contradiction It is an International Athletics Competition but it seems that only American team was invited. We can also see some foreigners in Singapore team. It is not clear which countries had participated. The film gives a picture of a normal Athletics Competition. It doesn’t give any background information on the competition. Why American was invited? Why there’s such an event?

      Keywords

      • Running, high jump, long jump, athletes, competition

      Ideas

      • International competition, athletes, American team and Singapore team

      What we see and hear

      • Running, high jump, long jump, athletes, audience

      Shot breakdown

      1. Large crowd waiting
      2. Close up on a man
      3. Athletes running, to long jump
      4. Repeat shots of pole-vaulters
      5. Close up on a man audience
      6. Sprinters competing
      7. Crowd cheering
      8. Athletes competing in hurdle races
      9. Wide shot of athletes running
      10. Athletes competing in high jump
      11. Athletes shaking hands with each other

4. A New Look at Housing

   Title:	A New Look at Housing
   Location:	NAS, 1992000566
   Date:	1967
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Duration:	00:08:21

   This film is about the housing developing in Singapore. At the beginning, it said the delegates of Afro-Asian Housing Organization recently meet in Singapore for the second congress and they had a chance to see “the remarkable progress made in the Republic of rehousing people in the low cost modern flat.” Then the film started “a new look” at the housing; provide an aerial view of the house for the whole film. The commentary said,” Over 1 quarter of Singapore population live in Housing Development Board flat, anyone can get a flat right away so long as they don't want a particular one in a place of their own choice.” and now is “To replan and rebuild the overcrowding unhealthy and congested city area and clear away old broken down buildings.”

   Before introducing different areas of new housing, the commentary addressed the “Berita Singapura” crew and said the weather is very hot and the camera is shaking, as it is quite bumpy in the helicopter. Then it started to introduce different areas for building new house. In Tao Payoh, the new house will finished in 1970, the tallest of Tao Payoh will be Bukit Ho Swee, when more slums are clear then it will come healthy new housing area. In MacPherson, it will be the largest industrial estate in eastern side of Singapore, and Queenstown, the first satellite town will have rapid development. And there is East coast and Kallang Basin reclaimed lands. In Jurong, housing will be provided for worker live far away from Jurong. Then the Nicole highway, and Kallang and ST Michael’s estate, will be the centre for resettlement of central urban renewal.

   Besides, introducing new areas of housing development. It provides some basic information on the new housing flat, they are basic in design, cheap to rent: $20, $40, $60 a month with 1,2 and3 rooms flats that most people can afford. In the end, the commentary said, “Singapore can rightly be very proud for her achievement in provide decent low cost housing to its people. Families of all Singapore races can live side by side getting to know each other better on a common meeting ground of finding new home and care for the children education and well being.”  The new town presently situated in many different parts of the island, changing the whole landscape of Singapore. It describes as homes worthy of a progressive state that cares for wealth and happiness of its people. The little state of Singapore on its tiny island, the government has “done so much for people so short of time.”

   General Comment

   The style of this film is unique from the others; it is the first time to use aerial view in the whole series of Berita Singapura. It should be something new and fresh to the audience. To use aerial view to present the housing development gave audience an impression that it is a big scale project. However, we can only see buildings, construction site, and reclaimed land in the whole 8-minute film, what is the real situation of the development? The film tried to state that the government is doing very best to the citizen and this is something can be very proud of. It was filmed in 1967, two years after Singapore became an independent state. The government wants to tell the audience they have done something in order to gain people’s confidence.

   Contradictions

   The opening of the film mentioned the Afro-Asian Housing Organization, but there is no information provided about this organization. Why they used it in the opening, are they the target audience? The commentary address the audience with the filming crew, it is the first time in the series, was it a way to get the attention of the audience? Then the whole film is talking about the new housing developing in Singapore, the commentary introduced new housing projects in different areas. The aerial view provides a grand picture but at the same time we see all those buildings and construction areas are all very similar. The commentary provides much information but the images look like the same. Moreover, the locals are totally absent. We don’t like what the people think. There is only one view, and the new look is just a new presentation style.

   Keywords

   • Singapore. Housing. Low cost modern flat.

   Ideas

   • Housing development. Progress.

   What we see and hear

   1. Building. Reclaimed land. Sea.
   2. Strong, happy, celebrating music

   Shot Breakdown

   1. Logo of Afro-Asian Housing Organization
   2. Banner of the Organization on the side of the road, car passed by
   3. Series of Aerial view of new housing, buildings, construction sites, reclaimed land.

5. Australia and Malaysia

   Title:	Australia and Malaysia
   Location:	NAS, 1982000136
   Date:	1963
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Duration:	00:08:21

   This film is about Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew visit to Australia, which include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra. It is filmed in Australia. It began with the scenic view of Sydney Harbour and the commentary is trying to link Malaysia with Australia, “Australia is an independent nation, a member of the British commonwealth nation, it’s a modern progressive country, as national and state level, it’s true parliamentary democracy, like Malaysia, Australia is a small nation, with a population of 7 million people, or so like Malaysia, Australia believe in the right s of small nation to live unmalistic by larger neighbors, Australia is wisely concern in what happened to  Malaysia, As Malaysia request, Australia engineers are building roads in Sabah trade and Australia ine s and helicopter are protecting Sarawak,  in March 1965 Australia troop went to Sarawak , within one week, they were in action against Indonesia invader and casualty were sustained .”

   Then the film followed Mr. Lee and Mrs. Lee visits in Australia. First they met the Australia Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies and then the opposition parties leaders. After that, they visited Monash University, meeting with the Malaysian students who have received scholarships from Colombo plan. “The students are keen to learn what useful.” They also had meeting with Trade Union. The film also showed other causal activities, such as Mr. Lee playing boomerang. “Australia is land of sunshine.” The film then shows different outdoor activities and said that in Singapore there are sport-loving people. Then they visited the factories and said Malaysia is interested in their rapidly industrial growth and they have much to learn from Australia. Australia also concern about health issue, they visited the Hospital in Perth and meet the Malaysian nurses who are training there. At the end the film show Mr. Lee in the press conference and speaking to foreign journalists. “They gave a wide and friendly coverage, though it was difficult to find time for all interviews.”

   The film reported Mr. Lee’s speech at the end, most of them are about Indonesia, and Malaysia has the right to live for own life. ““Malaysia is a multi racial nation dedicated to democracy…after two years of Indonesia blackmail and terrorist, Malaysia had shown that she has the brave to withstand the worst that Indonesia can do.” “What happened to small democratic nation like Australia, it’s vital concern to all states include New Zealand, same as Singapore.” “ put resources to overcome common danger… if Indonesia allowed to push small nations in SE Asia around, it will be time to come when Indonesia to push Australia around. Mr. Lee explained in his speech that why Malaysia needs Australia support, “

   At the end, the commentary said,” Australia now knows all democratic political forces, include the responsible left, are convince that Malaysia will survive and progress, Malaysia is no neo-colonial creation, it’s small independent, sovereignty, democratic state, well ready for Australia full support.”

   General Comment

   The film covered different locations and occasions of Mr. Lee and his wife visit to Australia. Most of them are official events such as meeting with political leaders, visit to factories, university and hospitals. It tried to highlight the relationship between two countries and Australia needs to support Malaysia in fight against Indonesia invasion. It also tried to show their cooperation in some aspects through the Colombo plan. Besides, the film also show Mr. Lee friendly image such as talking to students there and playing the boomerang.

   Contradiction

   The comparison between 2 countries is weird. In order to show they are friendly countries and support each other, the film said they are both small nations and therefore need to work together to fight against other nations. Then they draw it to the help of Australia in fighting with Indonesia. But they didn't mention why there was an action against Indonesia, what's the political reasons behind. On the contrary, Australia and Malaysia are very different countries, no matter in political system and economic development. The film recorded the visit of Prime Minster Lee Kuan Yew in Australia. Why Lee Kuan Yew represented Malaysia to visit Australia. It was in 1963, Singapore was part of the Federation of Malaysia. Moreover, the film is recorded in March 1963, but in the beginning the commentary mentioned the in March 1965, Australian troop went to Sarawak, the year did not match.

   Keywords

   • Australia, Malaysia, small nation, democracy, Mr. and Mrs. Lee

   Ideas

   • friendly relation of Australia and Malaysia, Australia support to Malaysia, Indonesia

   What we see and hear

   • Sydney Harbour, Sydney Bridge, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and his wife, Australia and Malaysian people
   • Casual and happy tune

   Shot Breakdown

   1. Australia map
   2. Harbor view,
   3. Sydney bridge
   4. Sydney Harbour
   5. A big Ship
   6. Crowd gathered at the Harbour
   7. Mr and Mr. Lee waking, a few passenger passed by
   8. A building
   9. Mr. Lee shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister
   10. Closed up on Mr. Lee and on Australian Prime Minister
   11. Two men talking
   12. Leaders of the labour party
   13. Close up on the book “Labour role in Modern Society”
   14. Gathered in a small room, around 20 people
   15. People talking
   16. Close up on people in the room
   17. Groups of students in front of school entrance
   18. 4 Chinese girls with their bicycles
   19. Entrance of the University building
   20. Monash University signage
   21. wide shot of a building
   22. Mr. and Mrs. Lee walking
   23. Meeting in the library
   24. Library inside
   25. Mr. Lee shakes hands with Malaysia students
   26. Close up on a young man and woman
   27. Students chatting and drinking
   28. Girls playing cricket in open area
   29. People rowing in the river
   30. Repeat on rowing then move to spectators
   31. Close up on a Australian woman with umbrellas and sunglasses
   32. Woman wearing sunglasses, relaxing on the grass
   33. Repeat rowing shot
   34. Mr. and Mrs. Lee, learning to throw a boomerang with a coach
   35. Close up on the boomerang
   36. Mr. Lee and the coach
   37. Mr. Lee playing the boomerang
   38. A man showing how to throw the boomerang
   39. Wide shot of the area
   40. Mr. Lee playing again
   41. Repeat Mr. Lee playing and pan to the sky
   42. Mr. Lee shake hands with the man
   43. A Building, small door (ACTU)
   44. Mr. Lee shake hands with different people in the meeting
   45. Close up on the people
   46. Low rise block, a truck passed by
   47. Wide shot of flatted factories
   48. A man walking
   49. Wide shot of another factories, truck passed by
   50. Wide shot of cars
   51. Victorian style building
   52. Mr. and Mrs. Lee going to a Hospital
   53. Meeting with Malaysian doctor
   54. Two Malaysian nurses cleaning
   55. Nurses shake hands with Mr. and Mrs. Lee
   56. Princess Margaret Children’s Hospital signage
   57. Mr. and Mrs. Lee going inside
   58. Visit a young Singaporean patient, talking to him, some foreign women standing besides
   59. Chatting with nurses from Singapore
   60. Close up on Mr. Lee, he is smiling
   61. Mrs. Lee gave the child a gift
   62. Nurses talking and smiling, shake hands with the young patient
   63. Lots of journalists, with cameras
   64. Mr. Lee talking in the press conference
   65. 4-5 journalist working on a big table
   66. Close up of 2 foreign journalists, one asking questions
   67. Mr. Lee listening
   68. Journalists listening
   69. Journalists writing
   70. Mr. Lee giving speech
   71. Close up on the audience, all foreigners
   72. A Malaysian audience speaking
   73. Audience clapping hands
   74. Mr. Lee smiling and talking
   75. Malaysian and some foreigners audience
   76. Mr. Lee giving speech, 2 countries flags behind, a banner welcome Mr. and Mrs. Lee

6. New Zealand Friendly Ally

   Title:	New Zealand Friendly Ally
   Location:	NAS, 1982000122
   Date:	1965
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Duration:	00:09:54

   This film is about Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew visit to New Zealand. The opening shot is the street view of New Zealand with prologue, “Although the culture of New Zealand and Malaysia emerged in different sources, in many ways, the two countries are very similar, both are comparatively young countries, both have small population, New Zealand has two and a half million people, Malaysia has ten millions. New Zealand and Malaysia are multi-racial, harmony and good will between the races. New Zealand and Malaysia are members of British Commonwealth nations, the histories of the past hundred years have caused them close linked with Britain. 438 students from Malaysia are studying in New Zealand under the Colombo plan scholarship.  Then we see the arrival of Prime Minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and his wife to the official meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister, “These similarities and common interests, plus the fact that both counties are at the same geographic area of the world, so New Zealand Prime Minister to say officially, “your stability is our stability, your prosperity is our prosperity, your security is our security.”  This is a brief introduction of the film.

   Then the film recorded the Mr. Lee Kuan Yew trip in New Zealand. First it showed a domestic life of a New Zealand family. Followed by Mr. Lee meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister and other government officials. The commentary said the purpose of the visit is two fold, “want to learn first hand about New Zealand and its people, want to explain to New Zealand why Malaysia, as a new independent nation practice parlimentary democracy need its support.”  After the official occasion, then started the trip North and South to see the landscape of New Zealand.   They visited the volcanic areas in North Island and go to the thermal district to see the  Commonwealth first electric project. Then they went to the Maori settlement to see how the preserve their tradition. Mr. Lee said in the Maori performance that “great need of tolerance of multi racial in the society”.  After that, they went to see the agricultural development, the pastural farming and also the export of lamb and diary products. The commentary said New Zealand encourage manufacture, and this is familiar to Mr. Lee as he is facing the same problem of increasing population.  Then they went to see the Kiwi bird, play golf and sight seeing. The film end with Mr. Lee giving speech in the press conference. The commentary reported Mr. Lee’s “message was simple and clear, “a multi racial society needs abundant and constant tolerant of good will to make progress, a free and independent Malaysia now threatened by aggression from Indonesia… impressed by the interests shown throughout New Zealand in Malaysia… People of Singapore appreciated the contribution from New Zealand is making in helping Malaysia defense herself against Indonesia aggression.

   General Comment

   The film tried to make comparison between New Zealand and Malaysia. Through the whole visit of Lee Kuan Yew in New Zealand, they tried hard to put the two countries together to draw out the similarities.

   Contradiction

   The comparison is weird as the two countries are indeed quite different. At the beginning the film shows a middle class family and said that both countries are of high standard of living. In 1965, Malaysia was not a rich country where the majority can have high standard of living. It mentioned the Colombo plan but didn’t give information about this plan. And also there is no information about the Indonesia invasion as it was mentioned several times in Lee ‘s speech. Moreover, why Mr. Lee represents Malaysia for the visit.

   Keywords

   • New Zealand, democratic nation, Indonesia

   Ideas

   • friendly relation of New Zealand and Malaysia,

   What we see and hear

   • Mr. and Mrs. Lee, New Zealand landscape,
   • relax and happy music

   Shot Breakdown

   1. Berita Singapura (harbor view as background)
   2. New Zealand Map
   3. wide shot of busy streets
   4. woman walking in front of camera
   5. close up on some pedestrians
   6. aerial view of farmlands
   7. people crossing streets
   8. exterior view of a house
   9. a girl running happily to her home
   10. mother open the door
   11. girl went inside, a large well decorated living room
   12. the mother take a cake form the stove, a boy sitting beside
   13. street view, many cars on the road
   14. wide shot of the bridge
   15. different angles of the bridge, traffic jam
   16. repeated road shot
   17. factory shot, small blocks
   18. wide shot of line of blocks of factories, car passed by
   19. top view of sheep eating grass
   20. close up on cattle
   21. a flag on a building
   22. close up on commonwealth sign
   23. wide shot of a Victorian style building
   24. the entrance, then pan from left to right
   25. line up of young Malaysian women
   26. close up on a woman
   27. close up on a statue, Victorian style building
   28. Lee Kuan Yew arrived
   29. meeting in a hall
   30. close up on New Zealand Prime Minister
   31. close up on different representatives inside the hall
   32. New Zealand Prime Minister giving speech
   33. Close up on Lee Kuan Yew
   34. New Zealand Prime Minister drinking
   35. visit to countrysides
   36. Lee meeting with different people
   37. Lee shake hands with NZ Prime Minister
   38. Lee shake hands with a man wearing glasses
   39. two men talking
   40. aerial view of landscape
   41. wide shot of forest
   42. volcanic areas
   43. boiling mud
   44. wide shot, rising steam
   45. Lee talking
   46. Lee and other representatives doing site inspection
   47. wide shot of Valley
   48. Mrs. Lee walking
   49. rising steam and mud
   50. close up on Maori people
   51. a woman wearing sunglasses, showing the handicrafts to Mrs. Lee
   52. wide shot of the Maori settlements, small houses, very spacious
   53. a big wood statue
   54. a man walking towards to statue
   55. another big statue
   56. Mr. and Mrs. Lee passed by
   57. a young Maori man cutting wood
   58. people working in the factory
   59. traditional performance on the stage
   60. Mari costume dance
   61. audience clapping hands
   62. wide shot of sheep
   63. squezing milk from sheep
   64. busy port
   65. packing of lamb in factory
   66. inside factory, steel and big machine
   67. Mr. and Mrs. Lee shot
   68. woman making the oyster
   69. Mr. and Mrs Lee visiting Kiwi bird
   70. representatives talking to Mrs. Lee
   71. playing golf, and close up of Mr. Lee
   72. Mr. and Mrs Lee standing under the road sign, looking at the South Pole
   73. wide shot of the view
   74. Mr. Lee taking to a group of press
   75. Close up on Mr. Lee
   76. close up on audience clapping hands, smiling
   77. Mr. Lee speaking with smile
   78. Audience smiling
   79. wide shot of audience
   80. Repeated shot of Mr. Lee smiling
   81. audience lisening
   82. top shot of the hall
   83. audience clapping hands, with focus shot on some men, and NZ Prime Minister

7. Colombo Plan

   Title:	Colombo Plan
   Location:	NAS, 1982000589
   Date:	1965
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Duration:	00:09:45
   Language:	Cantonese

   This film is about the Colombo plan implemented in Singapore. It first started with a “teaser”, a brief introduction of the Colombo plan showing various professional placements. The commentary said, “ Colombo plan is a good result of cooperation, under this scheme, different countries can have a chance for sharing of technique and knowledge. Singapore joined the Colombo plan, a regional cooperation in 1959, has issued 314 scholarships of training to other countries including vocation training and University study in Singapore. The students are from Burma, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Korea, Pakistan and Philippines.” At first, they introduced a Ceylonese policeman on an exchange trip to Singapore, showing him attended classes, on biology, judo, chemistry and criminology. Then three Filipino engineers learning in the construction site. Four Burmese women attending dental nursing classes, a Bhutanese studying at the School of Radiology and dental classes. The crew of Television Singapura learning from a Japanese TV production expert. Some foreign aviation experts giving advice to people who work in Singapore airport. Finally, a Canadian gymnast teaching female teachers in physical education class.

   General Comment

   The film shows various locations where training and classes took place. “It’s natural for other countries to learn our knowledge.” What others learn from Singapore are housing scheme, dental and medical training. On the other hands, Singapore needs to learn from others on TV production, aviation and gymnastic training. The ending shows the gymnastic teacher training, ” Singapore is a young country, half of the population is under 21, so we need to build a strong and competent society,”

   Contradiction

   The film is about Colombo plan but there is no explanation on why there was a plan. There is no historic and political background. What is the relationship of Singapore with those countries? It looks quite strange that only the Burmese student is wearing the traditional costume.

   Keywords

   • Colombo plan, training, learning, knowledge, cooperation

   Ideas

   • Colombo plan, professional training, sharing of knowledge

   What we see and hear

   • people learning in construction site, in classroom, airport, TV station, and sport centre
   • casual music

   Shot Breakdown

   1. Malaysia Flag-BS
   2. Ranchangan Colombo, Illustration background
   3. 3 pilots inside the airplane control room, both Chinese and Malaysia
   4. An English man and a Chinese man standing outside the plane, holding some books discussing something
   5. three young men in construction site
   6. nurse students in classroom
   7. dental student in tutorial
   8. group of student, some Indian and some Burmese learning and writing
   9. medical training lesson, learning operation
   10. back of students looking at photos on the wall
   11. a policeman teaching a student from Ceylon
   12. close up on the Ceylon student and the Chinese policeman, other Chinese students behind
   13. repeat shot of the student and policeman
   14. close up on the photos (for identification of  human bones) the wall
   15. Practising Judo
   16. a Japanese teaching Judo
   17. Uniformed students learning shooting
   18. close up  on an Indian police
   19. back shot of group of policemen leaving the room
   20. a small pier
   21. ladies on the ship
   22. boat moving on the sea
   23. close up on the ship , one sailor and a policeman
   24. close up on an Indian police
   25. sailor walking  on the ship
   26. sailor working
   27. close up on the ship
   28. man walking to a colonial style building
   29. signage of Department of Chemistry
   30. two men learning to use the intrument
   31. construction site,  pan from bottom to top of a machine
   32. A Chinese man, wearing shirt
   33. close up on tow Philippine men
   34. close up on a Chinese man
   35. three Chinese men standing in front of the machine
   36. side shot of 4 men walking from different sides then go together to the construction site
   37. 4 men holding the draft
   38. close up on the machine (use the economical way)
   39. 3 men talking
   40. close up on machine
   41. taking the mud
   42. walking to the construction site
   43. working on the construction site
   44. 3 men going to the construction site
   45. close up on man working on the site
   46. teacher observe
   47. 3 men wandering at the construction site
   48. 2 men observing
   49. signage of dental nurse training school
   50. in a classroom, a young woman teaching, holding a mode, class of uniform nurse student
   51. close up on teacher
   52. close up on student
   53. students learning in classroom
   54. repeat shot of teacher and students
   55. close up on an Asian student
   56. learning in a lab, using some tools
   57. students observe, nurse doing operation
   58. signage of school of radiology
   59. one man lying on bed, other 2 men working
   60. close up on a Chinese man
   61. close up on the machine
   62. close up on a man-wearing mask
   63. a building, central hospital, a car passed by
   64. a man teaching a woman, with the X-ray machine
   65. close up on students, a Burmese student, an Indian man and some young Asian women
   66. close up on a teacher, doing demonstration on the body model
   67. repeat shot of the teacher
   68. close up, full shot on Burmese student
   69. Signage of dental clinic
   70. students at a big table
   71. close up on nurse’s students learning
   72. A Chinese man holding the tooth model
   73. Repeat shot of the man
   74. student s learning in lab, using the machine
   75. Television Singapura sigange
   76. TV studio, people rehearsing
   77. A Chinese man instructing some actors
   78. The Chinese man talking to the Japanese man
   79. top view from control room to studio
   80. some men in the control room
   81. Mr. Suzuki standing teaching one Chinese and one Indian man
   82. close up on Mr. Suzuki
   83. close up on the man in control room
   84. wide shot of the control room
   85. airplane control room,
   86. An English man and an Indian man
   87. view to airport from the control room
   88. close up on the English man
   89. airport view
   90. 4 men in a room working on table with a big sketch
   91. close up on the English man
   92. man on construction site
   93. 2 men standing, an airplane flying
   94. a car in the construction site
   95. girls practicing gymnastics in a room
   96. Canadian teacher doing demonstration 高低, students observing
   97. student practicing
   98. teacher instructing the student
   99. girl jumping, repeat shots of jumping other girl jumping
   100. girls on the balance bar, Canadian teacher doing demonstration

8. Celebrating of New Housing, International Swimming Meet, Melodious Voice

   Title:	Celebrating of New Housing International Swimming Meet Melodious Voice
   Location:	NAS, 1982000262
   Date:	1963
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Duration:	00:07:31

   1. Celebration of New Housing

      The film is about the housing development in Singapore. The 2-minutes film can be divided into two parts. The first part showed various housing flats in various locations. “Singapore must be one of the few places in the world satisfactorily completed everything is said out to do in its five yeas plan”. Housing and Development Board succeeded in doing this and the evidence of their success stand eloquently in all parts of Singapore for all to see.” Then the film captured various exterior of the housing flats and the commentary started to talk about the achievement . “In 1960, first yea of Housing and Development Board 5- years plan was draw up, calling for building 510 31 housing units in end of 1965, and by middle of 1965, the target have been exceeded, 400 thousand people, quarter of Singapore population, had been rehoused in last 5 year in this modern area flats. Nowhere else in the world, except in Russia and West Germany, is the rate of rehousing faster than in Singapore.”

      The second part is about the housing exhibition about the new projects in next 5 years to mark the completion of the first 5 -year programme, which described in the film “as part of the Board celebration”. It gives an overview on the exhibition where we can see exhibition boards and housing models. There are quite a lot of visitors in the exhibition. The commentary said, “Far reaching scheme to build a new city on the site of old building and unhealthy slum. This is how the new Singapore will look, muilt -storeys block of apartment houses, commercial houses, restaurants, hotels, theatres, shopping centres and markets.” Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yee appeared in the end of the film. He is visiting the exhibition and looked at the furniture exhibited. The commentary recalled his words, “Mr. Lee Kuan Yew said people of Singapore demand high standard to their government, and they are prepared to work hard and capable of higher skills, but then the sky has a limit. Singapore is acquiring one four mark of a great civilized communities, magnificent building plus comfortable worker housing.

      General Comment

      The film is trying to depict a modern and organized Singapore. Half of the film shows various housing flats, each shot last around 2 to 3 seconds, very sharp and fast cut. Then the second part is about the exhibition, we can see people, exhibition boards and the housing model. The film trying to use those objects to project a prosperous Singapore. The government is well –planned and organized.

      Contradiction

      All the housing flats captured in the film are only the exterior buildings. We don’t know what looks like inside. For the exhibition, there are mainly housing models, again no one know what they really like. The buildings are empty and shown no sign of people. Apart from buildings, real and models, there is nothing else. There is no sense of reality and lack of humanity. We can’t see the daily life of people. There are no references to the previous housing buildings as well. There is a lack of connection between the images and the commentary. Besides, there is no detailed information on the urban renewal programme and what is the social impact on the programme.

      Keywords

      • Housing flats, modern, planning

      Ideas

      • successful housing scheme, modern housing, well-planned government

      What we see and hear

      • housing flats, exhibition models
      • Happy tune, rhythm

      Shot Breakdown

      1. harbour opening; Berita Singapura -Perayaan 2, background: wide shot of housing building
      2. Housing building, repeated shot of housing building, in different angles
      3. people gathered at bus station?, housing building at the back
      4. wide shot of housing at river side
      5. housing building
      6. wide shot of street view, car passed by, housing building at one side
      7. repeated shot of housing, in diagonal angle, close up , bottom to top
      8. lots of people in the exhibition
      9. Lee Kuan Yew in the exhibition
      10. exhibition board: Pembaharuan Bandar, Urban renewal (also in Chinese and Hindu)
      11. exhibition board, from left to right
      12. people looking at the exhibition board
      13. Lee Kuan Yew
      14. housing model
      15. close up on the model, pan from left to right
      16. repeated shot of the model, pan slowly from left to right
      17. top view of Lee Kuan Yew and other people looking at the display furniture
      18. people looking at the model
      19. close up of housing model
      20. wide shot of people in the exhibition, slowly pan from left to right

   2. International Swimming Meet

      The film is about the swimming competition. “Singapore swimming club was an ideal setting for a 2days international swimming meet organized by the Singapore amateur swimming association. The meeting was one of the many competition in Singapore Festival of Sports.” Then the commentary introduced the men and women swimmers for breaststroke and the butterfly stoke race. It captured the swimmers jumped into the pool and then with some close up on them swimming. Then cut to the presentation of awards and then back to other race.  We can also see audience watching the competition. It mentioned some Singapore swimmers Ms. Patricia Chan as the winner, also mentioned Thai and Philippines representatives as well.

      General Comment

      The style is quite standard for capturing the swimming competition. Wide shot of the pool, some close up on the swimmers and some spectators.

      Contradiction

      The film did not provide any background information on the competition as well as the Festival of Sports as well. Is the Festival for local Singapore, Malaysia or international event? The title is International Swimming meet but we don't know how international it was. The film just mentioned Singapore, Thai and Philippines swimmers. It looks like a very middle class event with no reference to the society and ordinary people. Why there was a Festival of Sports?

      Keywords

      • swimming, Singapore

      Ideas

      • International swimming meet, sports

      What we see and hear

      • swimming pool, swimmers, spectators
      • relax and casual music

      Shot Breakdown

      1. wide shot of pool,
      2. Singapore men 100m breast stroke
      3. close up on the man swimmer who finished the race
      4. present award
      5. another swimmer jump into the pool
      6. shot on audience
      7. butterfly stroke, close up on the male swimmer
      8. back to audience , middle class people
      9. close up on the woman swimmer
      10. present award
      11. wide shot f swimming pool
      12. close up on the swimmer one by one
      13. present award
      14. man jump into the pool, butterfly stroke race
      15. back to audience
      16. close up on a woman audience

   3. Melodious Voice

      It is about a singing birds competition. The film only captured one location, which is the park where we can find some trees. “An unusual contests to find in the Festival of Sports was one for the singing bird-held in youth leadership center. The Chinese middle age and old men setting the bird cages one by one. Then the judges checking besides the trees and listen to the birds sing. Some spectators used binoculars to see the birds. In the end, there was a presentation of trophies. It also mentioned that all 5 first prizes went to Singapore entries.

      General Comment

      An unusual contest according to the commentary. This short film featured some local Chinese middle-age men hobbies. It projected a calm and harmonic society.

      Contradiction

      Why there is a bird singing contest and included in the Festival of Sports. No information is provided in the film. It is quite weird for including bird –singing as a kind of Sports. It should be leisure activity. Besides, it said all prizes went to Singapore entries, which implied there are representatives from other countries. But which countries will join this competition? It looks like this kind of contest should took place in some local communities or recreational centres, but it was held in the youth leadership centre.

      Keywords

      • Bird singing, contest

      Ideas

      • Bird-singing contest, Festival of Sports

      Bird-singing contest, Festival of Sports

      • trees, Chinese middle aged men, birdcages
      • relax music, bird singing

      Shot Breakdown

      1. Chinese middle-age man sitting in park
      2. men hanging the bird cage
      3. wide shot of  park, many trees
      4. a man checking on the bird, knee down and taking notes
      5. close up on the tree
      6. another judge looking and listening besides the tree
      7. another judge knee down and take notes
      8. spectators using binoculars
      9. present awards
      10. spectators clapping hands
      11. Chinese middle-age woman present the award
      12. 3 winners, all middle age Chinese men,  taking photos with their cages

9. New Police Recruits, Magic Tricks, National Library

   Title:	New Police Recruits Magic Tricks National Library
   Accession Number:	NAS, 1982000274
   Date:	1960’s
   Production:	Ministry of Culture
   Conditions:	good
   Duration:	00:07:04
   Language:	English

   1. New Police Recruits

      The film open at the passing out parade of the Police Schools. “264 recruited, first batch recruited since the Republic of Singapore was form”. We see the police marching and passing in front of the Commander John MaCay. Then the film shows “weeks of intensive training”.  The training included arms drill and target practice. In August 1965, Singapore became an independent state; we need to build up the strength of the police force. Within 3 months, police recruits expanded 3 times more than before.    Then the film showed some off-duty recreational activities and the police recruits cleaning boots and uniforms in the dormitory. They also have lesson on law in the classroom. At the end, the film went back to the parade; we can see there are Chinese, Indians and Malaysian faces. “Singapore is not without young man, who prepared to come forward to do for the nations,” This is also the last day of the Commander and he said goodbye to the school and the police force. The new Commander presents the Baton-of –Honor for best new recruit, “a splendid start to be here and all the other men in the parade with me.”

      General Comment

      The film is trying to build up an image of a strong new Singapore with the new police recruits. It is positive and sees a mixture of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian faces.

      Contradiction

      The film tried to relate the independent situation with the new police recruits. But we cannot find any connection. There is no mention on the issue of independent. Why there was an increase in police recruits? Are there any differences before when Singapore was still a part of Malaysia?

      Keywords

      • Police, Singapore, training

      Ideas

      • New police force, new Singapore

      What we see and hear

      • Police marching, guns and weapons, playground, in the dormitory, learning in the classroom

      Shot Breakdown

      1. wide shot of police standing in order
      2. close up on some of the policeman
      3. wide shot of the police marching
      4. close up on John MaCay
      5. marching
      6. police holding guns,
      7. close up on the gun
      8. teaching them to use the gun
      9. policemen playing football
      10. policeman cleaning shoes
      11. policeman checking the uniforms
      12. close up on an Indian teacher
      13. marching again, Chinese , Indian and Malaysian faces
      14. wide shot on audience
      15. close up on the Commander
      16. repeat marching shot

   2. Magic Tricks

      The film is about the magician Mr. Leong Wai Mun performing various magic tricks. He had lots of public appearance in TV, theatres etc. In 1965, he won the international magician competition. “Magic is a passion, the more you learn, the less you know”

      General Comment

      The film show the performance of a magician. He is famous and can play many tricks.

      Contradiction

      This short film featured a Singapore magician. Is it a way to promote the image of Singapore as a new and modern state?

      Keywords

      • Magic, public appearance

      Ideas

      • popular, Singapore

      What we see and hear

      • Magic performance, magic tricks

      Shot Breakdown

      1. magician, light a cigarette, smoke and then the cigarette disappeared
      2. magician take out a box and a rope
      3. doing another tricks, and some girls assiting him
      4. the magician make the ducks disappeared

   3. National Library

      The film introduced the new National Library. “Six years ago moved in to new building, since then, its established itself as an essential part of Singapore life.” It showed the interior of the library. We can see people from different ages reading in the library.  “The children section , a lively spot, not surprisingly as young country like Singapore, half of the population is under 15”. It also mentioned that the library is for all ages and all races. The National Library also runs a mobile library service. The film also showed the interior of the mobile library and the mobile library at Nee Soon community center. We see lots of children borrowing books there. It concluded: “More and more people get more and more schooling, the appetite for books bound to increase, the national library try to satisfy the healthiest appetite.”

      General Comment

      It seems that the National Library is very popular and welcomed by people from all walks of life in Singapore.

      Contradiction

      It seems that people are so eager to go to the library. What about the schooling and literacy rate at that time? The film is trying to project a young Singapore with people are so eager to learn and see reading as a kind of leisure activity. The middle age and elderly people are so eager to read too. Are they all can read? Also, there are mainly Chinese people in the film.

      Keywords

      • National Library, books, bookshelves, mobile library, children

      Ideas

      • Reading, all people enjoy readings

      What we see and hear

      • Books, children reading books

      Shot Breakdown

      1. wide shot of a building, cars passed by
      2. top shot showing people reading
      3. some people sitting in the room
      4. a man reading, who is standing in front of book shelves
      5. Indian and Chinese men
      6. close on books
      7. a Chinese woman reading
      8. a Chinese man reading
      9. A Chinese old man reading
      10. crowd of children standing in front of the bookshelves
      11. girls reading
      12. close up on children books
      13. close up on a man and a woman reading books
      14. wide shot of the reading room
      15. a man reading, with loads of books in front of him

10. Policewomen, Emergencies, Music

    Title:	Policewomen Emergencies Music
    Accession Number:	NAS, 1982000246
    Date:	1960a
    Production:	Ministry of Culture
    Conditions:	good
    Duration:	00:06:49
    Language:	English

    1. Policewomen

       The film is about training of policewomen in Singapore. It opens with two policewomen walking on the street and the commentary said, “This going to be a familiar sight in Singapore, woman police on the, and how smart and alert they are.”  Then we see the interview of police cadet, with “hundred of applications”.  After that, the film captured the training in the cadet school including physical training, identifying criminals and mock trail. At the end it showed a policewoman directing traffic in the street.” What a picture of style and confidence that is. Singapore is one of the few city to use women police on traffic duty, and with great success, well done, the people of Singapore salute you.”

       General Comment

       The film is trying to project a well-trained and clean image on the policewomen. They received professional training and they performed their duties very well.

       Contradiction

       Is it a familiar sight to see policewomen in Singapore at that time? It is very strange to use smart, style and confidence to describe them. It seems like they are actress rather than real policewomen. We can only see their training and didn’t see them confronting criminals or even interaction with the public. The police force described here are efficient and disciplined. But in reality, there was lot of corruption in the police at that time. The film has no reference to the social and political problems.

       Keywords

       • policewomen, Singapore

       Ideas

       • training of policewomen, duty, as good as men

       What we see and hear

       • policewomen, street, jogging, marching, cadet, judo, policemen directing traffic

       Shot Breakdown

       1. Malaysia?SG Map opening
       2. 2 policewomen walking on the street, facing towards the camera
       3. repeated shots of 2 policewomen walking on the street
       4. 4 policeman doing interview in a room, one candidate came into the room, close up on the male interviewer, close up on the interviewee who gave a form to the interviewer
       5. close up on the interviewer, close up on the candidate
       6. that candidate left in front of the camera, another candidate came into the room at the back and sit down
       7. a group of women jogging down the stairs, followed by a group of men
       8. wide shot of the playground, policewomen doing exercise
       9. policewomen learning, identifying a map on the wall, close up on a map,
       10. close up on 3 policewomen,
       11. repeated shot of the policewomen
       12. learning self-defense
       13. female cadet flipping over male cadet
       14. learning to identify opium implements
       15. learning to identify criminal like gang tattoos
       16. female cadet in court
       17. a mock trail in progress
       18. close up on one as lawyer
       19. female cadet learning shooting, stands in a line
       20. policewomen marching at the playground
       21. policewoman standing on the road, directing traffic

    2. Emergencies

       This short film is about the public telephone booth.  First a man came to the booth but not succeeded in using it. Then another woman came and use the phone to call the ambulance. In the end, the ambulance arrived shortly after her call. The commentary said” everything in order and be responsible, the result come quickly.” At the end, “you may need the telephone sometimes”

       General Comment

       The main object in the film is the telephone booth. It was placed in countryside and it seems it needs to take long time to go to the booth. The man needs to take a bike to make a phone call.

       Contradiction

       The title of the film is “emergencies” and is about the phone booth. It is so obvious that there is a lack of public facilities in the countryside area. But the film focus is to educate the public to use the phone. The phone booth is dirty and also not in good order. If there are emergencies, the people themselves should take the responsibility?

       Keywords

       • telephone, in need, order and responsible

       Ideas

       • the use of public telephone, in case of emergencies

       What we see and hear

       • a man cycling, public telephone booth, a woman, ambulance

       Shot Breakdown

       1. a man cycling to phone booth
       2. he is trying to slot a coin but found out is jammed
       3. he found the phone is dirty so he left
       4. another woman go to the phone booth, sign: STB
       5. an ambulance arrived
       6. the woman left

    3. Music

       This short film open with musician playing jazz. “What musicians do in their dayoff? They play music in the hall.”  It’s a local band jam with a visiting Amercianjazzman stop at Singapore for a few days.” The film shows the band play music and the audience, some Chinese and some foreigners are enjoying themselves. The commentary said it’s  “Good time by all”.

       General Comment

       This short film didn’t have much to say, just focus on the musician and the music.

       Contradiction

       The film did not provide any information of this music night. Why there was a visiting American jazzman to perform here. Also it is for the middle class people and also expatriates in Singapore. It is not the leisure activity enjoyed by the general public.

       Keywords

       • music, jazz

       Ideas

       • playing music, people enjoy the music

       What we see and hear

       • musicians, Malaysian, American
       • jazz music

       Shot Breakdown

       1. a small building, a block
       2. 4 musicians playing
       3. audience, different races, listening and some clapping hands
       4. two musicians playing pianos
       5. cut to audience, Chinese man, foreign man and woman
       6. a young boy playing clarinet
       7. musician playing trumpet, drum
       8. audience tapping to the music with their feet
       9. close up on their shoes
       10. cut to the drummer
       11. audience clapping hands
       12. wide shot of the venue

11. Sang Nila Utama Secondary School, Singing Trio

    Title:	Sang Nila Utama Secondary School Singing Trio
    Accession Number:	NAS, 1982000239
    Date:	around 1968
    Production:	Ministry of Culture
    Conditions:	good
    Duration:	00:09:41
    Language:	English

    1. Sang Nila Utama Secondary School

       The film is about the Sang Nila Utama Secondary School. It opens with the building of the school and students gathering in the playground. “This very modern and attractive secondary school was opened in 1961, 1400 students attended the schools, and when these pictures were taken, two of them are Malays. Everyday begin with them saluting the flag of the Republic, and with the declaration of loyalty to their country Singapore.”  Then we see students in the classroom, with close up on the Malaysian students.” The language of instruction used throughout all the school is Malay, classes of the second language English were added this year, also there are 2 classes teaching Chinese language to Malay. Because of the students are Malaysians of the Republic of Singapore, they are entitled to free education throughout the school age.”

       The film trying to show the variety of the courses. There are chemical class took place in a laboratory, a technical class for boys who received the practical training on modern machinery, girls learning sewing and cooking in the kitchen. “In order to make students find a living in this modern technical age” We also see the students marching. There are female police cadet and military cadet corps practicing marching routine, and boys scout learning first aid. “Education has to do with training in living with others, cooperation, responsibilities and group life, respect the other man, develop civil pride and consciousness” The film ended with students playing softball and rugby.

       General Comment

       The film is a positive promotion of the education system and racial harmony in Singapore. The film style is mechanical: wide shot of the school, classroom, playground, move from right to left and left to right. Then close up of the students. The film emphasis it is a Malaysian schools, the language of instruction is Malay. Besides, the aim of the education is to provide training to the students so that they can find a living. Moreover, education is linked up with issue of citizenship. Students are trained to be patriotic and obedient.

       Contradiction

       The film was broadcasted at the time when Singapore gained its independence. The majority of the population is Chinese and the majority of the student in Sang Nila Utama Secondary School is Malaysian. So what is the intention of making this film? The commentary said the language of instruction is Malaysia as half of the students are Malaysian. So how about other Chinese and Indians students? Are they supposed to know Malays? Is this a school for the Malaysian only? There are also Chinese and Indians studying there. There should be language gap. But the film did not address this issue and trying to project an impression of racial harmony. As the majority population in Singapore is Chinese, the film is trying to promote a good image of the minority, i.e. Malaysian. But even they are Malaysians, they need to be loyal and obedience to Singapore. The commentary also said that because they are Malaysian, they are entitled to have free education. Is it a preferential policy? The film did not provide any information about that and also the education policy. How about Chinese and Indians students?

       Keywords

       • school, education, Singapore, Malaysian, Chinese, Language of instruction, English classes, learning,

       Ideas

       • Education to Malaysian, Republic of Singapore, loyal to Singapore

       What we see and hear

       • Low rise building, playground, national Flag, Malaysian and Chinese students, classroom, workshop, marching, playing softball and rugby
       • Causal music

       Shot Breakdown

       1. Illustration background, “SEKOLAH MENENGAH MAJU”
       2. low block building, pan from left to right, then from top to ground
       3. students wearing white school uniform line up, walking towards the camera
       4. students line up in the playground, pan from left to right, and show some faces of Malaysian girls
       5. close up on a Malaysian boy who responsible for raising the flag
       6. close up on the flag raising
       7. students in the playground, pan from right to left
       8. students in classroom, pan from right to left
       9. a (Chinese?) woman teacher walking around the classroom,
       10. close up to the students, some Chinese and some Malaysia
       11. close up on a Malaysian girl and then two Malaysian boys
       12. close up on a student writing
       13. close up on another girl
       14. in a laboratory having chemical lesson
       15. in technical class, boys are working on wood and metal
       16. close up on a boy
       17. teacher teach how to use machine
       18. girls in sewing and cooking class
       19. in a kitchen, close up on food
       20. female police cadet corps marching
       21. boys matching
       22. boys scout learning first aid
       23. girls playing softball, wide shot of the playground
       24. some spectators clapping hands -boys playing rugby

    2. Singing Trio

       The film is about a singing teenage trio called The Tidbits. They are the winners of the Radio and Television Singapura Talentime 1967/68. “There’s no need to introduce, The Tidbits, the two sisters, Serene and Melina Wee and cousin Bernedette, famous in Singapore, winners of last year TV talent The Tidbits. They are very popular local entertainer among all kinds of audience”. The film opened with a scene where the 3 girls are singing at home. Followed is the performance at the outdoor concert arena at MacRitchie Reservoir where many people gathered along the Reservoir to watch their performance. Then the film showed the machine pressing their record, “These talented girls are helping the export drive because money is coming to Singapore from the sale of records in several countries overseas.” The first record of their song is made elsewhere but Singapore has the technique in pressing the record and also making the jacket.  Then the commentary introduce the first song of the Tidbits, “so relax and listen to this charming, lovely and unspoiled Singapore girls singing the first successful song “I Believe.”  The MV of the song is about the 3 girls daily life. It started from they going to school, and then their family life, playing piano, reading, and singing, baking and watching television with the family.

       General Comment

       The film is all about the teenage girls singing trio The Tidbits. They were popular at the late 60’s and projected an upper class image, which is shown clearly in the MV. The girls served as a role model of the teenagers. They can play piano; they do baking in a big kitchen. It should not be the life of most Singapore people at that time.

       Contradiction

       The film is about the popular culture of Singapore in the late 60’s. The image of The Tidbits is young, fresh and healthy. Also they are formed by 2 Chinese sisters and one cousin who believed to be non- Chinese, maybe Philippines, as judging from her name. It is a perfect model for promoting racial harmony in Singapore. They are enjoying an upper class lifestyle and harmony family life. It represents a new Singapore, bright and modern. It doesn't have anything related to the tradition and the real life of Singapore people. The film served the purpose of observing celebrity.

       Keywords

       • popular, singing trio The Tidbits, concert, records, earning money

       Ideas

       • A new Singapore, successful export,

       What we see and hear

       • the Tidbits singing, crowd of audience, MacRitchie Reservoir, pressing record, record jacket, going to school, family life
       • Causal music and the song “ I Believe”.

       Shot Breakdown

       1. illustration background, “TIGA SERANGKAI”
       2. 3 girls singing, one playing guitar in the room, pan from left to right
       3. close up on 3 girls singing
       4. wide shot of the venue
       5. back shot on the 3 girls singing
       6. pan from right to left, wide shot of a reservoir, lots of people standing there
       7. wide shot of the reservoir
       8. wide shot of crowd, some taking umbrellas,  slowly pan from left to right
       9. close up on the girls singing on the stage, which is in the middle of the reservoir
       10. close up on a machine, which is making record
       11. the worker holding the record
       12. close up on the machine printing the jacket of the record
       13. a worker picks up the jacket and flod it
       14. 3 girls singing, a man playing guitar
       15. MV of the song “ I Believe”
       16. group of schoogirsl in front of a Colonial style building school, leaving schools,  some Chinese and Malaysian
       17. leaving home, go to the car, say bye to the young brother
       18. close up on the small boy
       19. St Margaret Secondary School signage
       20. 2 girls arrived schools, meeting other schoolgirls
       21. at home, father reading with the boy and the girl
       22. pan to left, girl playing piano, a teaching standing beside
       23. close up on them, happily playing piano
       24. back shot of them, the father at right corner
       25. father reading books with the boy and girl
       26. close up on the boy talking
       27. girls baking with mom in the kitchen
       28. close up on them talking
       29. close up on the process of baking
       30. 2 girls feeding the bird in the cage
       31. TV set
       32. 2 girls watching TV, smiling
       33. 6 members of the family
       34. repeated shot of 3 girls singing in the

12. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in Brussels and London, Sarawak Trade Mission’s Visit, Potato Chips Factory, Corals

    Title:	Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in Brussels and London Sarawak Trade Mission’s Visit Potato Chips Factory Corals
    Accession Number:	NAS, 1982000256
    Date:	1964
    Production:	Ministry of Culture
    Conditions:	good
    Duration:	00:08:33
    Language:	English

    1. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in Brussels and London

       The film opened with the street view in Brussels where there are crowds of people celebrating, “To Brussels Belgium, come democratic socialist from all over the world to celebrate the 100 years birthday of the founding of the socialist international”. Then we see Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yee arrived in Brussels giving speech, he said: “ All these newly independence countries, are not economically developed, with independence come, no immediate socialist paradise, to satisfy the rising expectation of the people, instead if things are to get better, there must be increase effort, to increase profit, increase productivity…….the millions of Asians care not and know nothing of the theories, what the want is to have a better life, they want a more equal and justice society, who gave them this is their savoy.”

       Then the film followed Mr. Lee to London. It showed him talked and shake hands with various people. He met with leader of British Labour Party Harold Wilson, visit to Ministry of Defense, meeting with Chief of Defense Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten, and British Defense Secretary Peter Thorneycroft, shaking hands with Commonwealth and Colonial Secretary Duncan Sandys. At the end, he gave a speech in the Malaysian Hall in front of Malaysian students and journalists. He addressed the delegates, taking part in debate, speaking about socialist in the newly emergence country with reference of problems in SE Asia. “outline to the British in some of the problems facing Malaysia today, what we will emergence too, what we will inherit, depend on how quick we can learn from the experience of those who have experienced similar roads before us and found themselves confront with similar situation.

       General Comment

       The Brussels part is just the street celebration and Lee Kuan Yew speech. The rest is all about Lee meeting government officials and other politicians in London. The film recorded the real sound of Lee ‘s speech, which is not common in Berita Singapura series.

       Contradiction

       The film is about Lee Kuan Yew visits in Brussels and London. In Brussels, there was the celebration of socialist international. Why Lee Kuan Yew represented Malaysia and gave speech in such an occasion? From his speech, we can see that he is not a supporter of the socialist. The Federation of Malaysia was just established in 1964 and he is speaking for the Malaysian people. What he concern is the better live in terms of economic development. No background information is provided about the trips. In London, he met many political leaders. What are the purpose and his position? Once again, he was talking about Malaysian rather than Singapore.

       Keywords

       • Socialist democratic, independence countries, Lee Kuan Yew, Malaysia, SE Asia

       Ideas

       • Independence of Malaysia, newly independence state

       What we see and hear

       • Brussels streets, people waving flags, Lee Kuan Yew, British politicians, Malaysian students

       Shot Breakdown

       1. Street view, lots of people marching, waving flags
       2. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew alighting from plane in Brussels
       3. Lee shaking hands and talking to people
       4. Lee giving speech in a hall
       5. cut to crowd of audience
       6. close up to Lee
       7. close up to Harold Wilson
       8. close up to other 2 representatives
       9. Ministry of Defence signage
       10. Malaysian Hall
       11. Lee giving speech in the hall
       12. full of students in the hall
       13. press interviewing Lee
       14. London street view

    2. Sarawak Trade Mission’s Visit

       This film is about the trade representative of Sarawak visiting Singapore. They are the guests of the Economic Development Board, and it is a “healthy sign of developing the trade link between two states.” The Chairman of the Board said Singapore ‘s industrial plan can help others state for expansion. They saw the rapid and spectacular progress of the state industrial expansion, which illustrate the knowhow and experience which Singapore, has available and which underline the possible of technical and economic cooperation between the states. They go to the Jurong Industrial Estate to visit some factories and then go to the scrapyard for site inspection. It concluded. “friendly neighbour, Singapore and Sarawak have much to gain from such cooperation, and the closer relationship between the two states, strengthened by trade line, is the good for Malaysia.

       General Comment

       The film gives a general picture of a site visit trip to Singapore. We see people in construction and in factory sites.

       Contradiction

       In 1964, Sarawak and Singapore had both merged with Malaysia to form the Federation of Malaysia. The film is trying show the cooperation between two states after the merger. The banner shown in the film is “Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce”, but it was not mentioned in the film, they just said it is the Economic Development Board. The development of Sarawak is far behind Singapore and this film try to promote a friendly image between states and then through cooperation, they can both benefit to Malaysia.

       Keywords

       • Sarawak, Singapore, Industrial development, cooperation

       Ideas

       • friendly relationship between Sarawak and Singapore, contribution to Malaysia

       What we see and hear

       • bus, people, construction site, factories, machines
       • casual background music

       Shot Breakdown

       1. bus passing by, people alighting from bus,
       2. see banner:  “welcome Sarawak Trade Mission by Singapore Chinese Chamber “
       3. construction site
       4. people looking at the construction work
       5. close up on the man
       6. wide shot of the industrial area
       7. group of people visiting the factory
       8. close up on equipment and machinery
       9. National Shipbreakers signboard
       10. wide shot of the scrapyard
       11. visitors on the site
       12. smelting of metal
       13. wide shot of the steel factory
       14. people leaving the factory

    3. Potato Chips Factory

       This is about a new potato chips factory at Redhill Industrial state, its first of a kind in Malaysia. Dr.Goh Keng Swee, Minister for Finance attended the opening ceremony and touring around the factory. He said, “bringing another food processing plant in cosmopolitan Singapore where curries, kaya, pineapple are now processed and packed”. The film showed some of the process of making the potato chips and the final stage of packing. The factory produces10000 packs a day and expected to increase production to 80000 packs a day. It concludes: “with the well of cooking technique in cosmopolitan Singapore, look forward to the export food specialist“

       General Comment

       A general introduction of a potato chips factory in Singapore. A standard filming style, first the outlook of the building, then the government official opening and touring around factory, with some close up shots on workers and the machines.

       Contradiction

       The film describes Singapore as a cosmopolitan also emphasis the modernity. They have the technique, the new machines and export food specialist. It is in the 1964, Singapore should not be a cosmopolitan. Also , there are only Chinese people in this film.

       Keywords

       • new factory, Singapore, Malaysia, cosmopolitan, potatoes chips, food export

       Ideas

       • new factory in Singapore, food specialist, cosmopolitan and modern Singapore

       What we see and hear

       • factory building, car, Dr Goh Keng Swee, Chinese men, cutting ribbon, machines, women workers, potatoes, potatoes chips
       • celebrating , happy tune

       Shot Breakdown

       1. opening: Federation of Malaysia flag and the Malaysia map
       2. wide shot of a low rise building
       3. “General food Industrial “ signage of the building in diagonal angle
       4. Dr Goh arrive, shake hands with the representative
       5. opening ceremony in a hall
       6. Close up on Dr. Goh giving speech
       7. close up on guests , Chinese men on the stage
       8. another close up on guests, other 2 Chinese men
       9. audience shot, groups of Chinese men
       10. Dr. Goh cutting ribbon
       11. 2 Chinese women workers working on the machine
       12. close up on the machine
       13. worker put potatoes into the machine
       14. pototoes chips in the machine
       15. Dr Goh touring in the factory, accompanied by Chinese men
       16. process of boiling the potatoes slices
       17. transporting the potato crisps on conveyor belts
       18. close up on the chips
       19. packing the crisps
       20. sealing the packets
       21. wide shot of the factory floor

    4. Corals

       It is about corals in Malaysia. The commentary said, “There are nearly 100,000 different corals around the coast of Malaysia.”  A man did scuba diving to collect corals. “scuba diving is fast becoming popular around Malaysian, some just dive for fun and to see the beauty and marvelous underwater world”. After he collected the corals from the sea, he cleaned the corals as they are for sale to tourist. “May not have time to do snorkeling, but they can buy coral to take home” Then the film showed various kinds of corals display in a shop, also using corals as ornaments. “Many hotels and home to us coral for decoration because of the vivid colors and shapes it has.” At the end we see a man pick up a huge coral telephone.

       General Comment

       This a short film about coral in Malaysia. It linked up corals with tourism. It did not mention Singapore, just Malaysia.

       Contradiction

       The way of collecting the corals is very primitive. We see a man diving into the sea and collect the corals by him. Then the way of cleaning the corals is very primitive too, a Malaysian middle –age man standing at the seaside, boil and then clean the corals with water. Then the corals are ready for sale in shops. It seems that it is very easy to find so many big and beautiful corals and then sale to tourists. The corals are also used for decoration and even as a telephone, it looks like just for fun. Besides, is diving popular in the 60’s, who can do that?

       Keywords

       • diving, corals, coast of Malaysia, decoration

       Ideas

       • diving is popular, lots of beautiful and colourful corals found in Malaysia, for tourists

       What we see and hear

       • man diving, sea, man cleaning corals, various kinds of corals, display of corals in shop, coral telephone

       Shot Breakdown

       1. Man putting on his snorkeling gear
       2. wading into the water
       3. collecting a coral
       4. displaying the coral
       5. soaking the corals into boiling water
       6. spraying the corals with water
       7. close up on various corals
       8. displaying the corals for sale
       9. using corals as ornaments,
       10. a man picks up a huge coral telephone