SINGAPORE – A collection of items representing Singapore’s identity and journey as a nation, has been identified to be placed into an SG50 time capsule at Gardens by the Bay. It will be opened in 2065.

The items which were chosen following a two-month public voting exercise, include national symbols and memorabilia. Some of them were donated by the public.

Mr Zaher Wahab, 34, has been collecting local football memorabilia since he was in primary school. It is his way of reliving memorable moments, such as Singapore’s win at the Malaysia Cup final in 1994.

“For the 1994 final, I remembered that there were a lot of people in the stadium. I was 12 and it was that year that I finished PSLE,” he said.

“My dad promised me that we will go and watch this match if I studied hard. When Abbas scored the hat trick and then Fandi scored another one, I cried because obviously it was really amazing. It was the first overseas match that I went to watch with my family.”

When Mr Zaher heard that there would be an SG50 time capsule that would be opened when Singapore celebrates SG100, he thought it apt to make a contribution.

“I donated the ticket stub from the 1994 final. I also donated a commemorative t-shirt,” he said. “In 2065, I would be around 80. Hopefully, I will still be around and I will want to show my grandchildren this is what your granddad donated, to help them relive the past.”

Mr Zaher’s items are among those which were put to a public vote between Sept 21 and Nov 1 last year. Organisers had received 45,000 votes in all.

The public had also voted for replicas of POSB collaterals in the 1970s and 80s to be included in the capsule. Managing director and head of POSB, Susan Cheong, said: “We are the first local bank to bring in the ATM machine, that was back in 1979. And by 1987, we had issued one million ATM cards.

“The POSB passbook is an iconic symbol. As the people’s bank, POSB actually plays a very significant role in the mobilisation of savings and that was in the early years deployed towards the building of modern Singapore.”

Tributes to the late founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew received the highest number of votes, followed by the Electronic Road Pricing In-Vehicle Unit.

According to a Singaporean, he believes the unit will become extinct and to see it in 2065, will show how far the nation has progressed. “If we were to see this in 2065, we would all be amazed at how far we have come as a nation, and see how far we have progressed in 100 years,” wrote Shawn Vinod Vincent.

His message along with about 3,600 others from the public will also be sealed in the time capsule. Ms Priscilla Chua, a curator at National Museum of Singapore, said: “These items are going to be kept in the time capsule for 50 years. We have to ensure that they are conserved properly so that in 50 years’ time, they won’t be disintegrated but kept in a good condition.”

She added that some items are made of glass or ceramics, and as such, the museum will have to ensure that they are properly packed to ensure there is minimal oxygen level inside the bags. “This is really to ensure the longevity of the items,” Ms Chua said.

Organisers also received more than 300 suggestions from the public on items to be included in the time capsule. Popular suggestions include SG50 memorabilia, items representing our hawker centre food culture and the Singapore passport.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will place the SG50 Jubilee Walk Marker as the final item in a symbolic sealing of the SG50 Time Capsule on March 18, at the SG50 Appreciation Event.

“Our SG50 Time Capsule is truly special – it is filled with items chosen and created by Singaporeans,” said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat.

“It is heart-warming that so many Singaporeans took part,” added Mr Heng, who is also the Chairman of the SG50 Steering Committee. “Young and old have given personal messages sharing their hopes and dreams for our future. When they open this time capsule in SG100, I hope they will see not just objects, but all the stories, hopes, and strong ties between friends and families that have gone into it.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA