Singapore had a troublesome union with Malaysia and as a result of that broken marriage, we were separated and booted out on the 9th August, 1965. It was a sad day to remember when our then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew appeared on TV in a sombre mood, sobbingly made the un-expected announcement. Since then we have indeed come a long long way, “ there was a time when people said that Singapore won’t make it; but we did. Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore in 1819 and from a sleepy fishing village it grew into a modern Asian Metropolis. At Raffles Place, name after it’s founder a bronze monument erected with two scenarios. On the rear side depicted some attap huts of fisherman and a Chinese sailing junk nearby. The front view projects just the opposite, a bustling modern city with sky scrappers mushrooming all around.
Our now Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew did a lot of improvement, he led Singapore further to much greater heights and amazingly turning it from a third world country into “First”, all within a span of my life time. With a small team of dedicated, honest, hard working people with vision and foresight transformed it into reality. I remember in the 1950's I lived with my grandfather in Kampong Bedok. He had bought a traditional Malay style wooden house, raised above ground by stits supports with a veranda. It did not have water or eletricity and we had a well for our water supply,pressured lamps for lighting and battery to power the radio. What an enormous change and as citizens we all should be proud of the achievement, after all we are only a little red dot on the map. Some people don’t even know that we exist, others even imagine that we still live on tree tops, swinging down everyday to forage for food. In terms of world trading, our tiny island State and country rank in 16th position.
The monument at Raffles Place
Far end Gilbert, my wife Josephine, myself.
Hey! don’t take my picture as I am Nobody.(Gilbert’s wife Victoria in centre)
We made our way to the Marine Bay by the Esplanade where the venue is held, the open-air seating gallery can hold some 27,000 spectators. In front of us is the stage on water, locally-built as the largest floating platform in the world (size of 5 football fields)with tall structures to house lighting and sound system. Opposite across the Bay is the Marina Bay Sands Intergraded Resort still under construction and expected to be open next year. Behind is the Singapore Flyer, at present the largest Ferris wheel in the world. By 5.45 we were ushered to be seated in our allocated corner under the “Green”seats; other colours are blue at the other end and red in the center. Almost everyone is wearing red; sporting our national colour. The show events are divided into 10 chapters with Military and Social segment.
Parachutists landing on the road.
Our parachutists known as the “Red Lion” free falling from a helicopter above us, activate their chutes at about 1000 ft above ground level and skillfully negotiate between those structures on the platform and the tall flood- light tower on the right to land on (DZ) drop-zone at the stretch of road in front of the grandstand. 11 were from our Commando Unit and 1 odd man from the Naval Diving Unit.
Sang Nila Utama landed on the island.
Chapter 1: What did he see?
A spectacular start to the show involving story telling and puppetry. The Legend about a Prince from Sumatra named Sang Nila Utama depicted in ‘larger-than-life size’ puppet doll with movable limbs, jaws when he speaks; manipulated by half a dozen people. The Prince and his entourage were in their ship in search of a new city but they were caught in a storm. Two comedians one as his Admiral (Mark Lee, our Singapore Ah Beng) and Suhaimi as the Minister (the two popular actors star in the Police and thief TV series) created a lot of laughter with their “Singlish” English mixed with Malay. They suggested throwing un-wanted things to lighten the ship as it was in danger of sinking. Finally that included the crown of the Prince, considered heavy as it is made of gold. It was meant as the last resort, if not they will all be drown. The Prince finally gave in and took off his crown for disposal. And immediately the storm ceased and all were saved. They landed on an island then known as Termasek (old name of Singapore) seen here by the roadside depicted by prop made of foam of a small island with a coconut tree and some lions). He was resting from a hunting trip when he thought he saw a lion emerged from the sea. Of course It could not have been as the lion is not a native animal in this region. I would prefer another version, maybe not authorised and goes like this; when the prince saw it he exclaimed “Singa” meaning lion and his minister rebutted him saying “pora’ meaning “No” or negative. So in joining the two words you get “Singapura”. Our Lion City, he! he! he! Earlier history shows that Hinduism had great influence in some part of South East Asia as can be seen in the Island of Bali and Thailand. You can see that in the old Thai culture, in their dressing and customs; the Ramakian is Thai version of the epic Hindu classical play of Ramayana.
The Lions are out in force.
This young lion dance performer.
One of the 24 mini-platform for the dancers, touch signers or drummers to perform amongst the crowd which happened to be just right in front of us.
The Police, SCDF,Army Bomb-disposal unit rolled in.
The event move on (Chapter 2, Defending our homeland) a loud ‘bang!’ startled us with a simulated bomb blast at the stage area. Then on the big screen, the simulated event appeared on News. The Home team is activated with the Police, Civil Defence Force (SCDF) with the Army Bomb-disposal Unit rolled into action. The injured were immediately attended to and evacuated by ambulances to hospital. The Army Bomb Disposal , man in bulky green protective suit managed to de-activated the bomb and render it safe for removal.
A Chinook helicopter dropping naval divers.
A ‘Chinook’ heavy-lift helicopter responding to underwater threat arrived at the Marina Bay and hovering low with the twin-rotor blades whipping up spray of water, effecting those nearby to scurry for cover. Six Naval divers were dropped in pairs to locate and counter a sea mine planted there by terrorists.
Naval and Police Coast Guard interceptor boats
Naval Interceptor in high-speed chase.
Another scenario followed and was detected on radar screen by the Operation Control, two terrorists on two jet-skis packed with explosive were racing into the Bay. Two high-speed rigid-hull Naval Interceptor boats were alerted and gave chase. They managed to round them after a shoot out. Meantime two Police Coast Guard interceptor boats gave chase another suspicious boat, also opening fire and subdued them to surrender.
2 Naval assault landing craft racing to the scene.
The simulated threat not yet over as some enemy landed at the Bay near the stage area and the Navy responded immediately by sending 2 assault landing crafts racing across the Bay to the scene.
2 ‘Apache’ helicopters called in for air support
2 ‘Apache’ attack helicopters were called in for air support to blast the target with guns, rockets and bombs. After making their support with firepower, the 2 helicopter made a graceful exit by facing the crowd, ‘bowing’ by lowering down the nose as a mark of salute and withdrew.
SAF hardware roll into action
The Singapore Armed Forces rolled in to display locally-built by our Defence Industries (Singapore Technologies) military hardware such as the ‘Bronco’ ATTC (all terrain track carrier), the ‘Primus’ 155mm self-propelled howitser, the ‘Bionix’ Infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), Bronco self-propelled mortar tracked carrier (MTC) that shoots 120mm mortar shells, the ‘Spider’ a light strike vehicle (LSV) armed with heavy machine gun/missiles and the 2 German-built 2A4 “Leopard” main battle tanks (55 tons) with 120mm guns. An awesome amount of firepower accumulated and to use in support of one another and in Combine Arms in conjunction with the Air Force and Navy.
SAF Special Forces (3G) Third Generation making exit, involved not merely new weapons but new ideas and doctrines (brains) integrated knowledge-base command and control. Soldiers of the future must see earlier, think quicker and kill faster with the latest weapons and sensors. He has to acquire ‘network’ edge in strategic planning;capable of assessing battle field scenario from feedback info obtained by high tech un-manned aerial sensors, communication devices and to call for entire fire-power support. The soldiers are in their new green camouflage (pixel) uniform moving down amongst the crowd. The enemy has been finally been subdued and peace restored. The main ‘crisis’ over and the SAF has been re-called to base;it is time for a celebration. The Parade begins, traditionally it has and will always be the centre piece of the celebration.
The Parade begins
Lt. Col. Yeong the Parade Commander assembled all the contingents taking part with the ‘Guard-of-honour’ in front comprising of 4 contingents, the Army (Commandos), the Navy, the Air Force and the Police. They are in ceremonial dress No.1 (white coats with dark trousers, except for the Navy dressed all in whites), Behind them are single row consist of the “Colour Party” (State and Regimental flags). In true military tradition where the soldiers proudly rally around their regimental flag or banner to up-hold and defend it. In the rear are the mixed contingents of Military and Civilian organisations. The Parade awaits for the arrival of the President of the Republic of Singapore, S.R. Nathan.
The Fly Past.
As the President arrives in a motorcade with Police outriders, the buglers sounded the fanfare. The whole Parade is called to attention as the President takes his stand, The Commander calls the command to honour the President in “Hormat Senjata”. For information as a tradition all our military commands are in Bahasa Melayu. The Military band in attendance strike up our National Anthem “Majulah Singapura”. A formation of helicopters appearing from the Singapore River side; the lead helicopter a heavy-lift, twin-rotor ‘Chinook’ bearing a huge Singapore flag size 20m x 30m with 3 escorting ‘Apache’ attack helicopters flew past slowly. Moments later 3 tiny specs in the sky (F-16 Fighting Falcons)appearing from South, executed a thundering “bomb-burst” before the crowd with the afterburner thrusting out flames. The crowd were thrilled with excitement.
Review and the Presidential 21-gun Salute.
As the President inspects the Guard-of-honour, 5 ex-British 25-pounders guns (relics of World War Two ) ceremoniously blast off the 21-gun “Presidential Salute” with blank rounds at 60 seconds intervals. Precise timing needed with the last shot must coincide with the completion of the inspection. The ceremonial guns are mounted on 6 M3G raft (float bridge. amphibians)linked to-gether to form a stable platform. Seen at the bay blasting off.
5x25-pounder guns are on Float Bridge/raft.
Seen here earlier, the 5 guns with full crew are loaded on to the Army Combat Engineer’s M3G Floating Bridge/raft. This is the first time it is used in a National Day Parade. The M3G is self-propelled and move at it’s own power into position at the Bay near the open theatre.
The “Feu-de-Joie”
After the inspect, the President returns to his place to receive another honour in the form of “feu-de-Joie’ meaning the ‘fire of joy’. It is an ancient military tradition practiced by the French by firing of muskets. The Parade Commander calls for firing of 3 volleys of shots, beginning from one end to terminate at the other and repeated three times. Of course the shots are blank rounds and after that the Commander request permission from the President to march off the Parade. The President in acknowledgement grant him permission. He then leads the Parade for the march past.
The social segment
The ‘Peranakans’ (The Ma’ in Wayang Company) put up a show in song and dance in Chapter 4 (The First Wave); regardless of race, language or religion. They are the Straits-born Chinese, the Babas and Nonyas are originally from Malacca; they inherit some Malay Culture especially in their dressing, as seen in their beautiful, colourful sarong and kerbayas or baju panjang, dance gracefully.
There was also ‘Pole Dancing’, young girls scantily dress just wearing 2-piece doing acrobatic stunts in their Chapter 5 segment (Fast Forward); is about prosperity and progress. Anyway it had aroused much controversy, some conservative people did not like it as they think such exposure will send wrong signal to the youth. Our Media and local artists display their talents in songs and dance. And progress meant elevating the living standard from the mudflat to first world .
In Chapter 6 (Against all odds) so it is important in order to survive to unite as one people. Here 12 climbers with harness appears as if that they are walking up upright the two 9-storey tower blocks on either side of the main stage. (seen here in blue lighting) and volunteer and martial art performers in warrior clothing with their head covered in a box-like gear, prepare for battle.
Chapter 9 (Little Red Dot)”for our nation” A mass display by various schools and organisations such as People’s and the ‘Soka’ Associations provided the dancing and singing. This year Soka women performers created a sea of red balls, about 40,000 of them sewn on to the dresses and headgear; to depict the the chapter of their segment. A Malay group in their traditional costumes joined in a loud chorus of ;diki barat’.
I
The two ‘touch signers’
Above two out of 48 atop the mini-platform in front of us, singing National Day songs by ‘sign language’ for the benefit of the deaf and dumb.
Giant Puppets.
Larger-than- life size, seen here 6 out of 20 depicting our early settlers (the recognisible ‘Sam Sui’ woman in red headgear which reveal her profession as a construction worker doing the hard manual job.
A float of the globe with 2 youngsters in the spaceship.
Chapter 10: Finale
The ‘Pledge” was recited precisely at 8.22pm Island-wide, with a 12,000 strong participants gather at the Padang in front of the City Hall, is near to the Esplanade/Marina Bay area.
Our Pledge
“We, the citizens of Singapore. Pledge ourselves
As one united people, Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society. Base on justice and equality.
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity.
And progress for our nation”
Then for the closing, our National Anthem “Majulah Singapura"was played, everybody stood up for the President and sang, some loudly. The crowd wished President S.R.Nathan farewell as he boarded up his motorcade. The grand finale burst with a ‘Big Bang!’ of fireworks into the sky and lighting up the area of Marina Bay. All those around the Bay, including those along the Singapore River; the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay could see. A variety of colours, twinkles, spray of stardust, some shooting up straight or burst in a ball; some a single burst followed by fragmentation.
So all good things must come to an end. Over 10,000 performers, celebrities, volunteers, staff and partners came together for this one show.
One people, One Nation, One Singapore.
MAJULAH SINGAPURA
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