From revolvers to secret documents — a glimpse into Singapore's early years

SINGAPORE — From a top-secret document on Singapore’s separation from Malaysia to the short-barrelled revolver issued to Cabinet Ministers during Singapore’s early years of nation-building, a variety of items are being showcased at the National Museum of Singapore, giving the public a closer look at the lives and work of the nation’s founding leaders. 

Called We Built A Nation, the exhibition displays more than 100 artefacts, half of which are items from the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s home on Oxley Road, donated by the executers and trustees of Mr Lee’s estate. Other items belonged to Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr S Rajaratnam, Mr Othman Wok, Mr Hon Sui Sen and Mr Lim Kim San, among others. 

The popularity of the memorial exhibition for Mr Lee, who died in March, prompted the museum to put together this new exhibition, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong at the official launch of the exhibition today (Sept 21). The earlier exhibition had to be extended twice to accommodate more people. 

Even though the revamped permanent galleries at the National Museum, launched over the weekend, already contained more content on post-independence Singapore, Mr Wong said the team at the museum felt more could be done to dive deeper into the key period leading up to Singapore’s independence in 1965 and the critical years that followed. 

The exhibition is divided into eight sections chronicling how the founding leaders developed Singapore, such as in the areas of education and language policy, foreign policy and diplomacy. 

One of the first few artefacts visitors will see upon entering the exhibition is the recently de-classified Albatross File on Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. 

Co-curator John Teo said these are “fascinating primary documents that have never been seen before by the public”, including top secret Cabinet papers and a handwritten letter of authorisation by Mr Lee for Dr Goh — who later became Deputy Prime Minister — to negotiate on behalf of Singapore leaders. 

Also on display is a dining table from Mr Lee’s Oxley Road home, around which the founding leaders once gathered, said Mr Teo, adding that Mr Lee’s home was also where the People’s Action Party was formed.

Other artefacts include former Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen’s calculator, one of the first calculators produced in the Hewlett-Packard factory in Singapore, and a Colt Cobra revolver issued to former Cabinet minister Lim Kim San for protection during Singapore’s tumultuous years of nation-building.

Mr Lee’s children Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling, and Dr Goh’s son Mr Goh Kian Chee attended the official opening today.

In his speech, Mr Lee Hsien Yang said the donation was “a sacrifice” for his sister, who is still living at the Oxley Road home. “While these pieces donated are of considerable sentimental value to Wei Ling and me, Papa’s values have always been anchored in pragmatism rather than any devotion to physical things.” Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, he added that the museum was also very accommodating and helped provide replacements or replicas so that his sister would not be left without furniture.  

The exhibition was one way Singaporeans could see some of the items in the house and while the museum had a careful look-through, other items could be donated in future, he added. 

The exhibition is open to the public from tomorrow and will run for a year.