This article is a re-examination of Chinese student activism in Singapore through the lens of cultural performance, which has yet to garner due attention. Tracing the ebb and flow of Chinese school concerts in the politically volatile atmosphere of Cold War era Singapore and Malaya complicates current understanding about student activism in the city state. Whereas the official narratives by the British colonial administration and later, the PAP, often cast Chinese student activism as part of a communist insurgency, this article argues that school concerts - comprising folk dances, songs, choirs and theatre - were an alternative space for Chinese youth to articulate their visions of building an independent socialist state and an integrated multiracial Malayan nation. Unlike the student activism expressed through mass strikes, these school concerts enable one to see how the Chinese students displayed sophisticated ways of discipline, organisation skills, and creative energy through the performing arts in 1950s and 1960s Singapore. Copyright © The National University of Singapore, 2023.

IPS (Institute of Policy Studies) instructed me to do two things: first, to analyse the roles and the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew and his key lieutenants; and second, to examine the trajectory of the PAP, past, present and future. So, my chapter will be Janus-faced, looking both backward and forward. The analogy is driving a car — we look ahead and anticipate the future, we also look at the rear mirror, and reflect on the past.

This chapter serves as an introduction to section. It first shows the decisive defeat of the Progressive Party in the 1955 elections reflected in the unpreparedness of the Straits Chinese British Association (SCBA) for the turn from the conservative politics they were comfortable with, to the increasingly radical politics and violence after the 1955 elections. As a consequence, the 19th and early 20th century leadership that the forbearers of the SCBA provided has passed on to a new generation of “Peranakans” in the core leadership of the People’s Action Party that come into power in 1959.

In many places, “politics” is almost a dirty word, often associated with a power contest for one’s personal benefit and almost always associated with corruption. Hence, not surprisingly, in many of these places, many of the most capable and committed have hesitated to come forth to serve in political service. In Singapore, politics is about governance. Governance is fundamentally about improving the lives of our people, and allowing them the best opportunities to fulfil their potential and aspirations. To enable this, we have to carry out the difficult task of building a political system and culture that will keep Singapore going, growing and glowing. Many other societies are fracturing under the stresses and strains of various forces. Some are unable to help their enterprises and workers make the necessary adjustments brought about by globalisation and technological disruptions. Others are appealing to the narrow interests of specific groups, fracturing the political centre and making difficult the need for balance and compromise. There is also political opportunism of both the extreme left and the extreme right to exploit the fears of people in a volatile and uncertain environment. In Singapore, we face a major challenge as an open society as external forces will always try to influence our choices and directions. Unlike many other countries, we do not have the geographical, historical, linguistic or cultural buffers against many of these external forces. I would like to propose three hypotheses on how Singapore can remain exceptional amidst global and local developments.

This article first appeared in Singapore Infopedia. Marsita Omar (2016). “Yusof bin Ishak”. Singapore Infopedia. National Library, Singapore. Reproduced with permission. Copyright © 2020 National Library Board. Yusof bin Ishak (b. 12 August 1910, Padang Gajah, Trong, Perak–d. 23 November 1970, Singapore), commonly referred to as Yusof Ishak, became Singapore’s first president on 9 August 1965 when Singapore gained independence as a sovereign state. The presidency was a natural transition as Inche Yusof had been the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (head-of-state) of Singapore since 3 December 1959 after Singapore was granted self-rule that year. Yusof became Singapore’s head of state six months after the People’s Action Party (PAP) formed the government following its victory in the Legislative Assembly general election on 30 May 1959. He replaced the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara and last governor of Singapore, William Goode. Singapore.