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Our Conclusion Our hypothesis Japa nes e Occ upat ion e xhib its ar e too ls fo r nat ion b uild ing. The Japanese Occupation was a big part of Singapore history and it impacted many lives. The war years that Singapore went through were a time of suffering, torture and fear. Many believed that Singapore came out from the war more united and stronger. Apart from providing information about Singapore history, the museums are also established for various other reasons. The Japanese Occupation exhibits in Singapore are not only to educate, but they are also a mean of nation building. 1) A starting quote at the entrance: “My colleagues and I are determined that no one- neither Japanese nor the British- had the right to push and kick us around. We were determined that we would govern ourselves and bring up our children in a country where we can be a self-respectin g people" by the n Prime Ministe r Lee Kuan Yew - Starts off with a distinct reminder to never take peace for granted. 2) The entire museum tells the story of the Japanese Occupation through first-hand quotes. “The war was a time of suffering; when all Singaporeans learned to endure hardship, become strong, and survive. We have preserved the lessons of war a s national val ues: those of dis cipline, determination, resilie nce and self- sufficiency." - Dr Me lanie Chew “…Besides the soldiers who died, we must not forget the civilians who suffered untold misery, deprivation & destruction” - Dr Ong Chit Chung - Emotional quotes that described true suffering fear and torture direct from civilians themselves were heart-wrenching. - These quotes allow readers to see it from a first-person point of view and they can relate better, as if they are going through the experience themselves. - Sparks a sense of unity among viewers as they relate to the same experiences. 3) It ends with a final showcase on significant heroic figures that played a big part during the Japanese Occupation. “The courage and stead-fastness to duty of these men still resonate with meaning for people today.” “....They are remembered for their selfless courage in the face of great personal danger.” - Repeated dedications to local heroes. - But, feature on Japanese men who helped Singaporeans had no in-depth anecdote detailing courage. - Words of honour in this section are phrased to ignite national pride and encourage viewers to follow in their footsteps and remember their nobility. 4) Comments made by visitors: A) Lest We Forget B) Never forget an emotional journey. C) A very good lesso n learnt. I will se rve my country w ell. D) I will do whatever I can to prevent any war from happening. E) Singapore is an example as to how a nation can rise from the ashes. F) Deed reminder of the very reminder of the very price paid for our freedom. G) There are no words to describe our sacrifice… - (A) was repeated countless times throughout the entire museum to remind us of Lee Kuan Yew’s words at the beginning. (B) further proves it. - (C), (D) & (E) prove that the museum did ignite nationalism. - (F) and (G) proves that the emotional quotes are more relatable. (The use of the word “our”) How is this Nation Building? The arrangement of the exhibits was aimed to engage visitors in a emotional journey that is more believable and relatable through quotes. This makes people feel part of the same experience and emotions and it ignites the same feeling of unity by bringing about a common ground among Singaporeans. As mentioned in then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, this unity will remind us to stand together as one nation. Thus, it proves our hypothesis. “To Foster Nationhood, Identity And Creativity Through Heritage And Cultural Development.” is the mission of the National Heritage Board of Singapore. - Exhibits will be centered on this aim. Ultimately, the end point it intends to achieve. - Thus the Japanese Occupation exhibits, a form of heritage and cultural development, will be structured to fulfill its mission: Nation Building. - The Japanese Occupation exhibits does not explicitly state or claim to be a tool of Nation Building. - However, with all the evidences mentioned above, the ultimate mission of the National Heritage Board further confirms our hypothesis. - Therefore, it proves our hypothesis. Who chooses and plans the exhibits? National Archives of Singapore chose them. Actually, Memories @ Old Ford Factory and us (Reflections @ Bukit Chandu) are both under National Archives of Singapore, and they are under the umbrella of the National Heritage Board. The National Heritage Board, sort of, looks after us. This one, in 1997, the former Minister of Trade, George Yeo, he was the one who came up with the idea because if they don’t have this thing (museums), nobody will know about our past, because our history is very short, and this is the only way to document it. How would this exhibit help in nation building? It will remind Singaporeans to be alert and vigilant at all times. In the year 2011, we are able to eat KFC and MacDonalds comfortably. However, during the Japanese Occupation, people did not even have enough food to eat, much less KFC or MacDonalds. Also, after going through the whole museum, Singaporeans will appreciate the Malays’ presence in World War 2, because they fought so gallantly on this hill, Bukit Chandu, for Singapore. Koh Chiang Yan, staff of Reflections @ Bukit Chandu Interview 2 The exhibits show that before 1935, the Malays had no chance to prove themselves as good soldiers. However through experimentation, they found that Malays were highly disciplined and were credible fighters. Hence, the British decided to form a Malay Regiment that would subsequently help to defend Singapore. The soldiers were indeed well known for their excellent marksmanship. In today’s context, this shows that people should always give others from different backgrounds a chance to prove themselves of their abilities and attitudes instead of being quick to judge them. This exhibit promotes racial harmony, which is essential for nation building. The exhibits also showcased the Malay Regiment’s motto, “Ta'at Setia” (Loyal and true). It described that the soldiers did their best to defend the country and the Battle of Bukit Chandu is the battle which the Malay Regiment fought most gallantly. It promotes the soldiers’ determination, telling us that this is the attitude the soldiers possess, and that this should also be the attitude we should possess. It reminds us that our ancestors fought hard to defend Singapore and we should also fight hard to defend Singapore in the future, or do our best for Singapore. In another gallery is a recount of a soldier defending Bukit Chandu. He mentioned that his friend, Lieutenant Adnan had said to him that he if he should die on that fateful day, he is quite willing as long as someone can look after his family. And that those are Adnan’s last words, and the last time he saw Adnan alive. T his tells us the sacrific e the M alays ha d made in the Japane se Occu pation, telling us that this is a war which every Singaporeans, regardless of whether they are the Malays, Chinese and Indians, fought together, sacrificed together to defend Singapore against the Japanese. And Singaporeans should also possess that attitude towards our country. There is also a quote outside the museum, said by then Minister for Information and the Arts, George Yeo in 1997. “If we do not remember our heroes, we will produce no heroes. If we do not record their sacrifices, their sacrifices would have been in vain… the greatest strength we have as a people is our common memories of the past and our common hopes for the future… For without those memories, the next generation will not have the fighting spirit to carry on.” Just like what the quote mentioned, the exhibits in the museum are tools for nation building as it showcases the fighting spirit the soldiers possessed, and also tell us our common memories of the past, that our ancestors all fought gallantly for Singapore regardless of race and religion. It also promote racial harmony in Singapore, as it emphasizes the importance of unity as a nation. (in the exhibits) “As a little boy….they said, you know if you go to Cathay Building, there is a head dropped off…They just left it in the open and when you leave it in the sun, the rain and so on the face become black. It is no longer a human face you are looking at.” (film screening) Film was narrated by war survivors, ex-POWs and civilians from all different ethnic groups recalling about their suffering. They recounted about their experiences, fears, and everything they went through during the Japanese Occupation. However, towards the end of the movie, the same people talked about how they felt after the Japanese surrendered, and how they feel now: mostly about happiness, peace and thankfulness. Similarly, the exhibits started off about the pain and suffering, but ended with the Japanese surrender and how things turned for the better. This serves as a contrast for the beginning of the exhibits and the film. This style of storytelling thus evokes a sense of gratitude in the audience, that now Singaporeans are all safe and peaceful. Overall, the whole experience was made easier to relate to through the oral recounts. People will question themselves: what if they were born then? What if war broke out now? It makes people think about the war conditions, and how unity helped tide many Singaporeans over then. Thus, it brings the same conclusion: that unity was important still is. When everyone that goes through the exhibits and the museums, they come out with the same emotions and thinking, it unifies them. “Focusing on the strength of the archives – primary sources, especially oral history and archival documents, rather than artefacts and objects- we have chosen to present the darkest period of Singapore’s modern history through the voices, memories and written records of people who had lived through the war years. True to the name and theme of “Memories” these often overlooked materials are in fact very much part of our nation’s memories, at the same time allowing us to reflect on our past so as to build a better future.” – A message to all visitors “This piece of concrete commemorates an experience which, in spite of its horrors, served as a catalyst in building a nation out of the young and unestablishe d community of diverse immigrants. We suffered together. It told us that we share a common destiny. And it is through sharing such common experiences that the feeling of living and being one community is established . If today we remember these lessons of the past, we strengthen our resolve and determination to make our future more secure, then these men and women for whom we mourn would not have died in vain.” – Extract of speech by PM Lee Kuan Yew at the unveiling of the Civilian War Memorial on 15 February 1967 To further confirm our thesis, we can refer to these quotes, which emphasized the need for a common background and history to unite people so as to build a better future for Singapore. INTRODUCTION Changi Chapel &Museum National Heritage Board Interviews Reflections at Bukit Chandu Memories @ Old Ford Factory After a nalyzing in grea t detail our evid ence a bove, we reali zed tha t the em phasis on racia l harmo ny and emotio nal ex perience s are us ed to s tructure t he Japanese Occupation Exhibits. It is structured as such to fulfill its purpose that is to encourage Nationalism. By evidence and analysis,, we conclude that Japanese Occupation Exhibits are indeed means of Nation Building. Done by: Izza Elyana, Gemmi Ng, Wong Siong Yee, Tan Zi Rou, Nguyen Thanh Dat
