Singapore Sling

Life on the red dot

By RennieLoh

On Aug. 9, I did not have to get up early to commute to work in a sardine-packed MRT train. It was National Day — Singapore's 36th birthday. In fact, it was like any other public holiday to me. I spent my work-free day vegetating at home. My friend who was visiting from Sydney was puzzled by my lack of interest and lackluster response to this national event.

Our discussion on Singapore ensued. Since it was his first time to this city-state, I decided to let him in on some trivia and forgotten facts about Singapore. And he was hooked.

I started with some historical background. Despite Singapore's modern appeal, the earliest record of her was in a third century Chinese account describing Singapore as "pu luo chung" ("island at the end of a peninsula" in Chinese). She was later known as "Temasek" ("sea town" in Malay). In the 14th century, an Indonesian prince named Sang Nila Utama landed on this island and saw a creature that looked like a lion. He then named the island "Singapura" ("Lion City" in Malay) and became her ruler.

Evening came and I suggested watching the televised National Day parade so that he could see for himself that it was with much aplomb-and-pomp that Singaporeans celebrate our nation's 36 years of independence.

The start of the celebrations was marked with the singing of the national anthem, "Majulah Singapura" ("Onward Singapore" in Malay) by the State President S.R. Nathan and those gathered at the National Stadium. The Super Skyhawks and Fighting Falcons then took to the skies to salute the audience. And as always, three rounds of the Fire of Joy was executed before the colors party, formed by the army, navy and air force, marched past the president.

When night fell, the mood became more relaxed as performers took center stage. Glimmering in their colorful costumes and accompanied by giant props, they presented themes of fundamental values and beliefs. Local talents also crooned and displayed their skills, suspended in the air by giant helium balloons.

The celebrations culminated with a perennial favorite — the fireworks display. This year's fireworks were synchronized to music by the country's symphony orchestra.

After watching this hour-long parade, my friend was impressed and I was similarly awe-struck. He was simply elated to have witnessed this feast of fireworks, pageantry, glittery performances and rousing songs. I was chided for not queuing for the free admission tickets to the parade.

While some celebrated the nation's birthday by performing at the parade, others signed pledges. More than half a million messages and pledges have streamed in wishing Singapore a happy 36th birthday. Singaporeans have been encouraged to sign a short pledge called "Our Vision." At the end of the 36-day drive, a total of 576,924 signatures were achieved and every one was preserved for posterity on microfilm in the National Archives.

In retrospect, it was more a boon than a bane when Singapore, then an island of 680 sq. km and a mixed bag of a few hundred thousand people of various races, was booted out of the Malaysian Federation. Though Singapore had independence unceremoniously thrust upon her, independence was the single most important thing to happen as it forced the island to embark on a massive transformation program.

From a land beset with poverty and frequent race riots, Singapore has become an international city-state, envied and studied by other countries for the secrets to its success. It has had an astonishing impact on the world though it is just a red dot on the world map. This is mainly due to her economic success and social cohesiveness, such as the fact that different races are living in reasonable harmony with one another.

Today, most Singaporeans are English-educated, and have risen up socially from whatever their origins were. A common education means that many have similar social ideas and cultural interests.

Life in Singapore is life on the dot, in more senses than one. There is life on this tiny island, but despite being tiny, and an island, life here pulsates to the ebbs and flows of a cosmopolitan metropolis. But even as Singapore opens up to the world, accepts foreign talent and aims for world-class status, I will still remember that there are unique qualities. My Singaporean roots may be tender and may not stretch too deep into the young soil of my 36-year-old nation. But, they are roots nonetheless.

Shukan ST: Aug. 31, 2001

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