Historyogi Post (89): 2021 Round-Up
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Historyogi Post: Issue 89
Dear Reader
School and personal commitments have taken up much of my time in the past few months. But I hope to get back on schedule with this bumper round-up of 2021. Check out the final two podcast episodes for this year, my top Twitter threads, and the ever-popular "This Month in History" and "Down Memory Lane". 2021 has been a tumultuous year for us all. I wish you a Happy New Year and good health. Look out for new stuff in 2022!
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Historyogi Podcast
#13 - Shaping Singaporeans’ attitudes towards China (A conversation with Sense Hofstede): The rise of an increasingly affluent and assertive China is dramatically changing our strategic environment. As a Chinese majority country, Singapore’s ties with China have special significance. Today, we speak to Sense Hofstede, a PhD candidate in Comparative Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, on the complex history of the local Chinese community’s ties with China and its interests, Singapore’s Mandarin media coverage of China, and potential risks for Singapore from the US-China strategic rivalry.
#14 - What does AUKUS mean for Singapore & the Indo-Pacific? (A conversation with Euan Graham): In September this year, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia announced the AUKUS security pact, which includes an agreement to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. This development has been both welcomed and criticised by countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Today, we speak to Dr Euan Graham, Senior Fellow for Asia Pacific Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, on what’s the rationale for AUKUS, the reactions of China and ASEAN nations, and what AUKUS means for Singapore.
Top Twitter Threads of 2021
This Month in History (Oct, Nov, Dec)
Australia takes over Christmas Island (Oct 1, 1958): On this day, the British colonial government transferred sovereignty of Christmas Island from the Crown Colony of Singapore to the Commonwealth of Australia. The 135 sq km island, just 350km south of Java but over 1550km from Australia, was prized for its rich phosphate reserves, and Australia paid Singapore $20 million in compensation. The island's residents largely mirror that of Singapore, with a Chinese majority and smaller Malay and Indian communities. It's well-known for its rich biodiversity, especially the striking annual migration of millions of red crabs along its roads and beaches. In recent decades, Christmas Island has become a magnet for asylum seekers trying to reach Australia, and houses an immigration detention centre.
Spyros tanker explosion (Oct 12, 1978): On this day, the Greek tanker Spyros, which had been undergoing maintenance at Jurong Shipyard, was rocked by an enormous explosion. The blast killed 76 workers and injured dozens more. Badly burned victims were rushed to SGH and Alexandra Hospital, where medical staff worked multiple shifts to treat them. Hundreds of people responded to public appeals to donate blood for the victims. An investigation found that contamination of fuel oil and crude oil in the tanks created flammable vapour that was ignited by a blowtorch. The shipyard and its manager were fined a total of $30,000 and the Spyros was sold for scrap the following year. Industrial safety codes and training were tightened after the accident, which remains Singapore's deadliest post-war disaster.
Great Emu War begins in Australia (Nov 2, 1932): On this day, Royal Australian Artillery troops set off to do battle with an unusual adversary (above). The native Emus, large flightless birds, were devastating large swathes of West Australian cropland, causing farmers to seek military assistance to repel them. The emus proved to be very adaptable and nearly exhausted the troops' ammunition despite losing 200 of their feathered comrades. The soldiers withdrew a month later when it became clear that the emus could not be defeated without a massive resupply of ammunition. A politician remarked that if medals were to be struck to commemorate the conflict, "they should rightly go to the emus who have won every round so far".
MRT system begins operations in Singapore (Nov 7, 1987): On this day, the first Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) services began operations from Yio Chu Kang to Toa Payoh. While it is today taken for granted, the government embarked on multiple studies from 1972-1982 to assess the MRT's feasibility. As Minister for Communications from 1978-1985, Ong Teng Cheong (above) oversaw transport as well, and pushed strongly for the MRT despite opposition from the rest of the Cabinet. Tony Tan, then the Trade & Industry Minister, even called the plan "foolish" for the time. Nevertheless, the MRT was finally approved in May 1982 and 120,000 passengers showed up for the inaugural service in 1987.
Singapore unveils new national symbols (Dec 3, 1959): On this day, the government unveiled a new flag, state crest and anthem to replace the colonial ones used by the British. They were commissioned by a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye and officially launched during National Loyalty Week. The festivities kicked off with the inauguration of Yusof Ishak (above) as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, replacing the former British Governor William Goode. This was followed by parades, cultural events and exhibitions designed to promote loyalty among the diverse citizens of the new state. One could even dial 2 or 3 on the phone to listen to a recording of Majulah Singapura.
Batang Kali Massacre in Malaya (Dec 12, 1948): On this day, British troops surrounded a rubber plantation at Batang Kali in Selangor, rounded up the villagers and accused them of providing food for communist rebels amid the Malayan Emergency. Twenty four men were shot dead before the village houses were set on fire, and their bodies were later found mutilated. Attempts by the survivors to seek redress from British authorities have been unsuccessful since the 1990s, with investigators first claiming insufficient evidence to prosecute and courts later ruling definitively that the massacre occurred too long ago. Declassified files have revealed that authorities passed legislation in January 1949 to retrospectively legalise the killings and exonerate the soldiers involved.
Down Memory Lane
Meyappa Chettiar Road: This road is named after Meyappa Chettiar, an Indian landowner. Little is known about him but the Chettiars played a prominent role in business, making loans and holding large amounts of property as collateral. They hailed from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu.
Moulmein Road: This road is named after the Burmese city of Moulmein (now known as Mawlamyine). Like many roads in the Balestier area, its name was suggested by a prominent Burmese resident who lived there. Nearby roads with Burmese names include Akyab Rd (named after the city now called Sittwe), Rangoon Rd (named after the former capital now called Yangon), Mandalay Rd (former royal capital) and Irrawaddy Rd (named after the river).
Napier Road: This road is named after William Napier, the first lawyer in Singapore. He co-founded the Singapore Free Press in 1835 and also edited the paper. He later served as the first Lieutenant-Governor of Labuan (an island near Sabah). Upon his retirement, he sold his house at Tyersall Park to Abu Bakar who later became the first Sultan of Johor.
Nassim Road: This road is named after Nassim Lodge, the family home of a wealthy Jewish landowner. The area has been historically known for housing diplomatic missions and Good Class Bungalows. Prominent addresses include Eden Hall, the official residence of the British High Commissioner.
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