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PAP.SG calls for memorial park in Fort Canning to honour Singapore’s founders

SINGAPORE — The PAP Seniors Group (PAP.SG) has called for an open space at Fort Canning to be turned into a memorial park to honour the founders of Singapore.

Fort Canning Centre. TODAY file photo

Fort Canning Centre. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — The PAP Seniors Group (PAP.SG) has called for an open space at Fort Canning to be turned into a memorial park to honour the founders of Singapore.

PAP.SG, which is the People’s Action Party’s advocacy group for seniors, has submitted a paper on its proposal to the Founders’ Memorial Steering Committee for consideration. It cited Fort Canning’s long and rich history, noting that it “once served as the seat of power in Singapore, even pre-dating the colonial period”.

Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, who is chairperson of PAP.SG, said in a media release today (Sept 25) that Fort Canning Park is “a unique blend” of historical relics and greenery, which is appropriate for a dignified purpose.

“We believe that setting a memorial in an accessible, public park is a fitting tribute to the vision of Singapore as a garden city-state. National parks are secular, national space open to all, regardless of class, creed or religion. The vision of a garden city encapsulates not only the efforts to enhance the quality of life in a small city-state but also embodies the ideals of inclusiveness, which our founders fought for with passion, all their lives,” she said.

The park can be designed as the start and end of a historial walk or museum trail experience through the Civic District, and incorporate “thoughtful sculptures” and landscaped gardens. There could also be space for exhibitions and talks, and activities for children, PAP.SG said.

It added that ideas for the memorial park should be further developed ground-up, involving young Singaporeans. Ideally, these efforts should be led by multiple government agencies like the National Archives and the National Heritage Board.

The Founders’ Memorial Steering Committee was formed in the wake of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s death to develop the concept for a memorial to honour Singapore’s founding generation of leaders. The 15-member committee met for the first time in July and will spend 18 months gathering views and ideas from Singaporeans.

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