It was the FIRST DAY of the CHINESE NEW YEAR, the YEAR OF THE HORSE when the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese.
DPM Teo Chee Hean's speech:
One of the fiercest battles before the surrender – the Battle for Bukit Timah - took place near the Ford Factory.
The Japanese reached Bukit Timah on 11 February and met strong resistance from the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force comprising local civilian defenders who fought bravely and fiercely with rifles, shotguns, and hand grenades tied to their waists and swords strapped to their backs.
With the capture of Bukit Timah hill, the Japanese gained a stranglehold on Singapore’s water supply – which they promptly cut off. This was a strategic move that contributed to the British surrender.
It was here at the Ford Motor Factory, where General Yamashita of the Japanese Imperial Army had set up his headquarters, that Lieutenant-General A E Percival, commander of the British forces, signed the surrender papers on 15 February 1942. That was the first day of the Chinese New Year.
The day after the British surrendered, Singapore was renamed “Syonan-to” or “Light of the South” by the Japanese invaders.
But FOR THE PEOPLE OF SINGAPORE, IT MARKED THE BEGINNING OF DARK TIMES, WHICH WAS TO LAST 3 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS.
Singaporeans went through extreme hardship and suffering as an occupied people.
Conditions were desperate. There was not enough food; there was no healthcare.
WORSE THAN THE PHYSICAL HARDSHIP WAS HAVING TO LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR.
The walls of this gallery tell the stories of torture and massacres. Many families lost loved ones and suffered grievously.
The gallery here at the old Ford Motor Factory is a powerful and poignant reminder to all Singaporeans that WE ONCE PAID A TERRIBLE PRICE BECAUSE WE COULD NOT DEFEND OURSELVES.
We must learn from this most painful lesson of what could be taken away from us if we are not able to defend ourselves.
The need to learn from our past cannot be overstated. It provides the backdrop that helps us make sense of our present and guides us so that we do not repeat the same mistakes.
This gallery ensures that the history of the Japanese Occupation in Singapore is not forgotten, and that the important lessons it holds are conveyed to future generations of Singaporeans.
Singaporeans must know that we should never take our nation’s peace and stability for granted, and that we ourselves must be responsible for our own defence. Without security as a strong foundation, we cannot develop and progress as a nation.
That is why we have invested so much in our defence since we became an independent nation – by requiring our men to do National Service and steadily developing the capabilities of the Singapore Armed Forces.
Anyone who may be tempted to think that our small island will be an easy target – like it was in 1942 – must be left in no doubt about the resolve of Singaporeans and our commitment to defend our nation, and that the Singapore Armed Forces can and will repel any aggressor and defend Singapore.
We want to live in a stable and peaceful region. But like many other countries which have seen the ravages of invasion and occupation, we have learned through bitter experience that in order to remain secure and to enjoy peace, we must first be prepared to fight to defend ourselves.
DPM Teo Chee Hean's speech:
One of the fiercest battles before the surrender – the Battle for Bukit Timah - took place near the Ford Factory.
The Japanese reached Bukit Timah on 11 February and met strong resistance from the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force comprising local civilian defenders who fought bravely and fiercely with rifles, shotguns, and hand grenades tied to their waists and swords strapped to their backs.
With the capture of Bukit Timah hill, the Japanese gained a stranglehold on Singapore’s water supply – which they promptly cut off. This was a strategic move that contributed to the British surrender.
It was here at the Ford Motor Factory, where General Yamashita of the Japanese Imperial Army had set up his headquarters, that Lieutenant-General A E Percival, commander of the British forces, signed the surrender papers on 15 February 1942. That was the first day of the Chinese New Year.
The day after the British surrendered, Singapore was renamed “Syonan-to” or “Light of the South” by the Japanese invaders.
But FOR THE PEOPLE OF SINGAPORE, IT MARKED THE BEGINNING OF DARK TIMES, WHICH WAS TO LAST 3 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS.
Singaporeans went through extreme hardship and suffering as an occupied people.
Conditions were desperate. There was not enough food; there was no healthcare.
WORSE THAN THE PHYSICAL HARDSHIP WAS HAVING TO LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR.
The walls of this gallery tell the stories of torture and massacres. Many families lost loved ones and suffered grievously.
The gallery here at the old Ford Motor Factory is a powerful and poignant reminder to all Singaporeans that WE ONCE PAID A TERRIBLE PRICE BECAUSE WE COULD NOT DEFEND OURSELVES.
We must learn from this most painful lesson of what could be taken away from us if we are not able to defend ourselves.
The need to learn from our past cannot be overstated. It provides the backdrop that helps us make sense of our present and guides us so that we do not repeat the same mistakes.
This gallery ensures that the history of the Japanese Occupation in Singapore is not forgotten, and that the important lessons it holds are conveyed to future generations of Singaporeans.
Singaporeans must know that we should never take our nation’s peace and stability for granted, and that we ourselves must be responsible for our own defence. Without security as a strong foundation, we cannot develop and progress as a nation.
That is why we have invested so much in our defence since we became an independent nation – by requiring our men to do National Service and steadily developing the capabilities of the Singapore Armed Forces.
Anyone who may be tempted to think that our small island will be an easy target – like it was in 1942 – must be left in no doubt about the resolve of Singaporeans and our commitment to defend our nation, and that the Singapore Armed Forces can and will repel any aggressor and defend Singapore.
We want to live in a stable and peaceful region. But like many other countries which have seen the ravages of invasion and occupation, we have learned through bitter experience that in order to remain secure and to enjoy peace, we must first be prepared to fight to defend ourselves.
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/sp/2006/17feb06_speech.print.noimg.html
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