PM Lawrence Wong’s Japan-China comments draw online backlash

Barbs and jibes by Chinese netizens over PM Wong’s remarks on Japan-China spat at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2025

Many videos, articles erroneously interpret his comments as Singapore taking Japan’s side

The controversy touches on World War II history, which many ordinary Chinese feel strongly about

By Lim Min Zhang and Magdalene Fung, The Straits Times, 26 Nov 2025

It started in Hong Kong, and then others in mainland China began jumping on the bandwagon.

Over the past week, barbs and jibes in the Chinese online space clustered over Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent remarks on a China-Japan dispute over Taiwan, which laid out the Republic’s longstanding position on developments in East Asia.

Anti-Singapore sentiment sparked by the island-state’s foreign policy stance is not new. Previous episodes range from a major online influence and disinformation campaign over the Terrex incident in 2016, a major diplomatic incident between Singapore and China when Hong Kong Customs seized Singapore’s military vehicles, to a more recent kerfuffle over Singapore’s identification of a cyber espionage group that has been linked to China.

But the current maelstrom is notable for the mix of voices seeking to give their own negative spin on PM Wong’s words, ranging from a Hong Kong news portal with a track record of echoing pro-Beijing and nationalistic sentiments, to commercially driven Chinese content creators who rely on online traffic for revenue.

The hostilities tap into chauvinistic sentiments in China that are now surging high, fuelled by propaganda reports that target Japan.

The testy environment in East Asia emerged in the wake of Nov 7 comments by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which Beijing took umbrage at. She said in Parliament that Chinese military action over Taiwan could constitute a situation that threatens Japan’s survival.

Beijing denounced this as interference in its “internal affairs”, responding with a firestorm of travel advisories, trade embargoes and military posturing.

Asked subsequently about the bilateral spat during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore on Nov 19, PM Wong said that it is in everyone’s interest for there to be stability in Asia, and that he hoped both countries will find ways to de-escalate.

He also noted the “overhang of the history of World War II, which still remains between the two countries”.

“We hope the two countries will find ways to resolve these very complex issues and move forward. South-east Asia has done that with Japan. It has taken some time, but with the passage of time, with the passing of generations, the feelings are not the same, and we have put the history aside. And we are moving forward.”

The controversy touches on World War II history, which many ordinary Chinese feel strongly about. China views Japan as not having sufficiently apologised for its past atrocities committed during the war.

Smaller media outlets in Hong Kong were among the first to jump in on PM Wong’s statement.

Several, such as am730 and on.cc, ran almost identical headlines highlighting that PM Wong had “hinted” for China to “drop its historical prejudices”.

Among the city’s larger news platforms, HK01 – a site set up in 2016 by Beijing loyalist Yu Pun-hoi, a former chairman of Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao – published five articles over the past six days focused on PM Wong’s comments. All but one of the pieces were commentaries or analyses.

“Singapore’s obvious bias in the China-Japan spat is discomfiting,” read a Nov 24 article on HK01 that was syndicated from Guancha.cn, an ultra-nationalistic news site based in Shanghai.

This came in tandem with a surge of videos and articles posted on Chinese social media, with mostly self-styled commentators offering their takes on PM Wong’s remarks.

Many had erroneously interpreted them as Singapore taking Japan’s side against China. Some who left comments referred to Singapore by the derogatory term “Po County”, which references a lower administrative level in China. Others fumed at what they saw as an insinuation for China to “let go of the past”.

Comments have run the gamut from “Singapore is a running dog of the United States” to “China has been too good to Singapore”.

On Nov 25, “Why Singapore dares to interfere in the Sino-Japanese dispute” briefly became the top trending topic on Weibo, China’s version of X.

Some level of orchestration and manufactured outrage appears likely, given the coordinated fashion in which some of the commentary emerged.

Another motivating factor could be self-interest, as content creators look to drive eyeballs to their platforms with ever-more virulent denunciations, after noticing that earlier attacks on PM Wong and Singapore were not taken down by the authorities in China’s highly regulated internet.

12 September 1945: Why we must not forget

Japanese surrender marks radical break from the past, starting a process where Singapore gains independence 20 years later

By Clement Yong, The Sunday Times, 13 Sep 2020

It was 75 years ago yesterday that Singapore ushered in the post-World War II era, starting a process which would see it gain independence 20 years later.

On Sept 12, 1945, thousands gathered to hiss at the Japanese around the Municipal Building of Singapore - now known as City Hall.

General Seishiro Itagaki of Japan signed 11 copies of the Instrument of Surrender that day, marking the end of nearly four years of the Japanese Occupation of South-east Asia.

An eyewitness account in The Straits Times on Sept 13 observed that the Japanese delegates at the surrender ceremony were "immobile, except (for) one who twiddles his thumbs and twitches his feet".

It further noted that the Japanese representatives were bareheaded, perhaps recently shaven. "The lights glint on bald pates," it said.

The time of Gen Itagaki's signature: 11.10am. Nine minutes later, the Japanese stood, bowed and shuffled out to "jeers and catcalls" from the crowd.

Perhaps intoxicated by the moment, the journalist wrote: "All Singapore turned out to see the pageantry."

These days, however, the occasion is hardly remembered, much less commemorated enthusiastically.

Checks with the National Library Board, the National Heritage Board and the Singapore Armed Forces Veterans' League (SAFVL) show no events have been planned, in part because of the coronavirus.

While the SAFVL organises a memorial and school trips on Feb 15 each year - when the British surrendered Singapore in 1942 - it said Sept 12 is significant but not as "compelling to illustrate the national values we wish to instil in our children".

The National Museum of Singapore is holding a talk in commemoration of the end of WWII only on Sept 28.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 led to the cancellation of a ceremony originally planned to take place at the Kranji War Cemetery, leaving representatives, including high commissioners and ambassadors from seven former combatant nations - Australia, Canada, India, Japan, New Zealand, Britain and Singapore - to separately lay wreaths at the Cenotaph yesterday.

Students of The Japanese School Singapore also made 2,000 tsuru, or paper cranes, to symbolise peace and reconciliation.

In part, the lack of locally organised events reflects how Sept 12 continues to be a hard date to pin down when it comes to what it means for Singaporeans.

It is indisputable that residents received a reprieve with the departure of the Japanese, whose violent reign included campaigns such as Sook Ching, which killed 40,000 to 50,000 Chinese in Singapore and Malaya.

But the years when Singaporeans could decide their own fate were still to come.

It was "Rule Britannia" which sounded at the 1945 ceremony, and the Union Jack that was hoisted.

Peace was also only slowly re-established and scarcity continued.

It was neither a trough or a crest of Singapore's history.

Total Defence Day 2020: Government to ensure minimal retrenchments as Singapore deals with COVID-19, says Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen

Govt to work with unions to keep retrenchments to minimum
By Lim Min Zhang, The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2020

As Singapore's economy is hit by the coronavirus crisis, the Government will ensure that retrenchments are kept to a minimum, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

"Even as we deal with the viral outbreak, we must ensure that our economy can function to keep jobs and livelihoods for Singapore," he said in his Total Defence Day message yesterday.

"The Government will work with companies and unions to ensure that retrenchments are kept to a minimum, if at all."



Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat had said earlier that the Government will unveil a support package at Budget 2020 to help businesses affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19.

In his message, Dr Ng recounted how, in 2003, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) had caused sickness and death. The fear of being infected gripped citizens everywhere, tourists stopped travelling and people stayed home, he said.

As a result, jobs were lost and retrenchments went up.

"In some countries, this fear created distrust and divided people. But in Singapore, we rallied through Total Defence, stayed united, overcame the SARS crisis to emerge intact and stronger," he said.

The national defence framework has to come into action again against the coronavirus, Dr Ng said.

As part of social defence, everyone has to practise good hygiene and stay away from others if sick, he urged. "At the same time, we must show empathy and compassion to help those who are infected or under quarantine."

Psychological defence has to be strengthened to withstand the ups and downs from the virus outbreak, he added.

Daily life can go on with sensible precautions, such as washing one's hands and keeping them away from the face, he said.

Singaporeans also have to guard against digital threats such as false information during this period, he added.

The minister said digital defence, the latest pillar of Total Defence, was a timely and necessary addition as dealing with the virus outbreak has shown.

False information about the disease or messages to incite hatred against any group do much harm, he noted. "We must never let these 'drums' - distortions, rumours, untruths, misinformation and smears - be heard, lest they sow discord, divide our people and ultimately weaken our will to defeat the outbreak and defend Singapore."

Total Defence Day is commemorated on Feb 15 every year - the day Singapore fell to Japan in 1942, which was followed by 31/2 years of Japanese Occupation.

Digital defence was added last year as the sixth pillar of Total Defence. Economic, social, psychological, military and civil defence make up the other five pillars of Total Defence.

Dr Ng also said the country's civil and military defences are "in good working order".

He offered his condolences to families of victims who have suffered, and saluted front-line staff, such as doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who treat patients daily.

As Singapore marks Total Defence Day, he said he has every confidence Singaporeans will again rally and win the fight against the coronavirus. "If we maintain that resolve, with each Singaporean committed to doing their part, then Singapore can continue to be a shining example for many years to come."



In a Facebook post yesterday, President Halimah Yacob said this year's Total Defence has a poignant significance, as Singapore is currently dealing with a national and global health crisis.

"It is a timely reminder on the importance of strengthening our social and psychological defence to rally our nation together in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak," she wrote.

Digital Defence to be Singapore's sixth pillar of Total Defence; MINDEF to recruit 300 cybersecurity experts, opens cyber training school

Addition of new pillar after 35 years signals the threat posed by cyber attacks and disinformation
By Hariz Baharudin, The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2019

The Republic will introduce digital defence as the sixth pillar in its national defence framework Total Defence, signalling the threat cyber attacks and disinformation pose, and the importance of cyber security.

It is the first time a new pillar has been added to the framework since it was launched 35 years ago.

In his annual Total Defence Day message yesterday, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen stressed that cyber-security threats and disinformation are a serious danger to Singapore, and emphasised the need to be vigilant against them. "Security threats can be real and physical like terrorism or, just as damaging, can come through the cyberworld."

"Malicious malware can cripple our systems. Fake news can cause racial riots and divide our people," added Dr Ng in his message, which was uploaded on Facebook.

The digital defence pillar will be officially launched today by Communications and Information Minister S. Iswaran, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Cyber Security. It joins the other five pillars of Total Defence: military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence.

In his speech, Dr Ng reiterated that the purpose of Total Defence Day, which falls on Feb 15, is to remember the Japanese Occupation.

On Feb 15, 1942, the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese, who occupied the country until Sept 12, 1945.

"Our parents and grandparents suffered in the 3½ years of deprivation and humiliation that followed.

"We remember those events of the Japanese Occupation to teach every new generation of Singaporeans about the price of failure to defend this country," he said.

Total Defence was launched in 1984 as a national defence initiative to rally all citizens behind the Singapore Armed Forces during wartime. It was also envisaged to build a sense of determination for Singaporeans to defend the country under all circumstances.

The framework has since undergone reviews and changes, but this is the first time a pillar outside of the original five conceptualised is being added.

Total Defence is now contextualised to address new threats, and applied to address non-military challenges too, such as economic recessions, pandemics and natural disasters.

Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing also commemorated Total Defence Day yesterday at an inaugural Maritime Nation Forum held at the Singapore Maritime Gallery.

After leading a pledge recitation, he held a dialogue with about 100 forum participants on the challenges that Singapore faces as a maritime nation.

He noted that it was the first time professionals from the maritime industry, Republic of Singapore Navy servicemen and tertiary students were coming together to mark Total Defence Day.

Emphasising the importance of the national defence framework, he said: "When there are external pressures on our country to give in to external demands, Singaporeans must continue to be psychologically resilient and stay together to keep Singapore strong."

The fall of Singapore: Shades of grey

It may be 75 years, but the events and feelings around the fall of Singapore to the Japanese, including the rise of the Indian National Army and Sino-Japan hostilities, still resonate today.
By Walter Woon, Published The Straits Times, 25 Feb 2017

Amid the solemn commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore to the Japanese during World War II and the controversy over the naming of the Syonan Gallery last week, another anniversary passed unmarked.

On Feb 17, 1942, two days after the British surrendered, the Indian prisoners of war (POWs) were paraded in Farrer Park. The British commanding officer, Colonel Hunt, handed custody of them to Major Fujiwara Iwaichi, who made a short speech in English. Fujiwara was followed on the podium by Captain Mohan Singh, a former officer of the 1/14 Punjabis captured at the Battle of Jitra. After a stirring oration, Mohan Singh declared that they were forming an Indian National Army (INA) to fight for a free India. He asked the assembled POWs whether they would join up. Some 20,000 did so.

There is a tendency to view the fall of Singapore and subsequent events in black and white. In contrast to the war in Europe, which can justifiably be depicted as a struggle to defeat a vicious, evil regime, the war in Asia was much more nuanced. Nothing illustrates the shades of grey more vividly than the history of the INA.

The INA that was formed at Farrer Park was not the first. The Germans had previously established a Free India Legion (Legion Freies Indien) from Indian POWs taken in North Africa. This was done at the instigation of Indian nationalist leader Subhas Chandra Bose, who in an epic escape had made his way from India through Afghanistan and onwards to Germany in 1941.

That Free India Legion was known as the Azad Hind Fauj (Free India Army), the name which the Indian National Army also bore. Bose saw the enemies of Britain as allies in his quest for Indian independence.

Meanwhile, in late 1942, the British had detained nationalist leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawarhalal Nehru in order to quash the Quit India Movement. Thirty British battalions were deployed in the sub-continent on internal security duties. Bose recognised a better opportunity to carry on the fight closer to home. Leaving Europe, he travelled by submarine to Sumatra and thence to Japan.

In July 1943, Bose arrived in Singapore to revitalise the independence struggle. The first INA under Mohan Singh had become moribund due to disagreements with the Japanese over its role. Mohan Singh himself was exiled to Pulau Ubin. A mass rally was held on the Padang. Bose had the gift of oratory. He exuded magnetism. He worked up the crowd to a fever pitch. "Our task will not end until our surviving heroes hold the victory parade on the graveyard of the British Empire - the Lal Qila, the Red Fort of Delhi! Chalo Delhi! On to Delhi!" he declared.

The crowd responded rapturously: "Azad Hind zindabad! Long live Free India!" The Indians called him Netaji, the beloved leader. Among that crowd was the late president S R Nathan, who told me once in conversation how electrifying Netaji was.

75th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore on 15 Feb 1942

'2 bitter but valuable lessons' from Japanese Occupation
You can't depend on others to defend you, and the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must: Ng Eng Hen
By Chong Zi Liang, The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2017

Singapore's commitment to maintaining a strong defence force is the result of the lessons learnt from the Japanese Occupation, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said yesterday, as the country prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of the island's fall.

The 31/2 years of brutal Japanese rule during World War II after the British surrendered Singapore, then a British colony, taught "two bitter but valuable lessons", he said in a four-minute video.

"One, you cannot depend on others to defend you and, two, the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must," Dr Ng said. This is the reason the pioneer generation of Singaporeans introduced national service to keep the country safe and independent, he said as he thanked the more than one million national servicemen who had served since the institution was launched 50 years ago.



"Today, we have a strong and capable Singapore Armed Forces because our national servicemen are committed and dedicated to military defence," Dr Ng said in the video, which was uploaded on his Facebook page yesterday evening.

The video was filmed at the former Ford Factory in Upper Bukit Timah Road, where the British formally surrendered to the Japanese on Feb 15, 1942. The day is now commemorated as Total Defence Day.

The World War II museum at the former factory has been revamped and renamed and renamed * Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War And Its Legacies. It will be officially opened today, and people can start visiting tomorrow.

In his message, Dr Ng reiterated the importance of the five pillars that make up Total Defence: military, civil, economic, social and psychological.

Every Singaporean has a part to play in Total Defence, he added.

"Indeed, when there is a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, civilians will have to take the initiative to save themselves and others first, before the security forces respond."

On the economic front, Singapore cannot afford a prolonged slowdown.

The country needs to keep its air and sea ports as well as businesses functioning even under trying circumstances, he said, citing the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 and the severe episode of haze in 2015.

Singaporeans also need to stay united against those who try to sow discord among the different communities or seek to test the resolve of the country, he added.

"We must, as one people, resist external pressures to weaken Singapore's sovereignty and independence. But no country can know all the dangers that may come its way.

"The stronger our Total Defence, the more certain we can be that no challenge will overwhelm Singapore," Dr Ng said.

Other memorial events today include the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual service at the Civilian War Memorial in Beach Road, and a ceremony at the Kranji War Cemetery to remember the war dead. Public warning sirens islandwide will also be sounded for a minute at 6.20pm, the time that the British surrendered to the Japanese 75 years ago.

What 'Nazi parade' scandal says about Taiwan society

By Alan Fong, Published The Straits Times, 31 Dec 2016

TAIWAN (THE CHINA POST/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A school event in Taiwan came to the attention of international media last week.

A group of students from a private high school wore self-fashioned Nazi uniforms and wielded swastika banners at their school's Christmas and Thanksgiving costume parade on Dec 23. Photos taken at the parade served as fodder for a heated debate on PTT, Taiwan's largest online forum. When one netizen forwarded the photos to the Israeli representative office in Taipei, the debate escalated into a diplomatic affair.



The Israeli representative office condemned the display of Nazi paraphernalia as "deplorable and shocking" and called on Taiwan to initiate programmes to teach students about the Holocaust.

The Presidential Office apologised for the presentation, which it described as "disrespectful to the Jewish people's suffering at the hands of war and representative of ignorance towards modern history".

The Ministry of Education also responded by threatening to cut subsidies to the school.

Before the day ended, the school's principal apologised for the school's negligence and failure to educate its students.

He resigned the next day.

The parade was widely criticised in Taiwanese society, but there were also people who questioned why representations of Nazis deserved universal and high-profile condemnation in a place where people seemed to have no problem role-playing, or even outright worshipping, other authoritarian figures such as Taiwan's former president Chiang Kai-shek.

Changi Prison's entrance gate, wall, turrets gazetted as Singapore's 72nd national monument

Parts of Changi Prison gazetted as national monument
By Melody Zaccheus, The Straits Times, 16 Feb 2016

The entrance gate, wall and turrets of Changi Prison, where about 76,000 prisoners of war were marched through for their internment, have been gazetted as Singapore's 72nd national monument.

This was announced by the National Heritage Board's Preservation of Sites and Monuments division yesterday, on the 74th anniversary of the fall of Singapore. The monument serves as a reminder to treasure the peace and harmony we have today, said the board.

Singapore’s 72nd National MonumentOn this day in 1942, Singapore was surrendered to the Japanese during World War II....
Posted by National Heritage Board on Sunday, February 14, 2016

Two days after the fall of Singapore on Feb 15, 1942, European civilians were rounded up and marched to Changi. Inmates there suffered from diseases such as malaria, with many malnourished and emaciated at the end of the war.

The old Changi Prison was torn down in 2004 for a new prison. Australian leaders had called for it to be saved as about 15,000 Australian soldiers had been detained there.

While heritage lovers lamented the loss of the old Changi Prison, they said the gazetting reflects how important the remaining structure is in commemorating war heritage.

New battleground for Singapore's security in cyberspace: Maliki Osman at Total Defence Day 2016

By Dominic Teo and Aw Cheng Wei, The Straits Times, 16 Feb 2016

A new battle has emerged on cyberspace and social media platforms.

The weapons: messages by terrorist groups seeking to incite hate and discrimination.

To fight back, one needs a rational mindset that can reject such messages. It is a form of social resilience that is increasingly important, said Senior Minister of State for Defence Maliki Osman yesterday.

Total Defence Day Commemoration Event 2016
“We have to recognize that every Singaporean has a role to play, every community has a role to play.” Said Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman at the Total Defence Day (TD Day) Commemoration Event held at ‘The Future of Us’ exhibition on 15 Feb. During the event, Dr Maliki also toured the TD exhibition at the Marketplace and participated in one of the SGfutures engagement sessions entitled “The changing faces of threats and Total Defence”. A similar TD showcase with activities and plays is also being held at the S'pore Discovery Centre. SMS Ong Ye Kung had participated in an earlier SGfutures engagement session where students shared about the important factors that will allow us to keep Singapore strong. Catch excerpts of the various interviews and also the highlights of the TD exhibitions both at the Future-of-Us exhibition and the S’pore Discovery Centre.#TD2016#KeepSGStrongDr Maliki Osman
Posted by cyberpioneer on Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Speaking on Total Defence Day at at The Future of Us, an exhibition at Gardens by the Bay, Dr Maliki said: "The real battle of today and of the future is for the hearts and minds of our people."

Groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have used the Internet and social media to recruit followers and successfully spread their ideology, said Dr Maliki, who is also Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

He named terrorism as the biggest threat facing all countries, and warned terrorist attacks that have struck Paris, Istanbul and Jakarta remain a possibility in Singapore.

Nearly 1,000 men and women from South-east Asia, including Singapore, have travelled to the Middle East to fight for ISIS and they pose a serious threat to Singapore's security, he said.

Singapore's Total Defence strategy relies on the five pillars of military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence, and yesterday Dr Maliki paid special attention to the last two as the only way to reject extremist ideologies and to come back from any acts of terror.

Facing down violent extremism

By David Boey, Published The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2016

As Singapore marks Total Defence Day today, it is worth reflecting on the vital role of civilians in the war against terror.

Violent extremism is not deterred by military force, however powerful or capable. Countries armed with nuclear weapons like Britain, France and the United States have all failed to deter terror attacks. Amid the bloodshed, Singaporeans enjoy a fragile peace. Will the Republic be forever immune to such attacks? The hard truth is "no".

Singapore's multi-agency counter-terrorism effort is round the clock, 24/365. But it is near impossible for security agencies to prevent individuals - the so-called lone wolves - from killing in the name of violent extremism when everyday objects from cars to kitchen knives can be used as weapons of choice. Today, such extremists are also willing to die while committing mass murder and thus cannot be deterred.

Still, continued vigilance is never futile as the success of such attacks is not inevitable. Accurate, relevant and timely intelligence, robust security checks and alert, disciplined fast responders can frustrate attempts to wreak havoc.

Should the worst happen, it is almost certain that terror groups will rush to claim bragging rights as authors of the "first" successful attack on Singapore. An attack here will have propaganda value far in excess of the size and complexity of the operation or actual body count. Singapore is a prized target as it is one of the last world cities to have successfully kept the scourge of terrorism at bay.

There's a Part for Everyone: Total Defence song gets modern spin

Catchy new version of iconic 1984 song released ahead of Total Defence Day
By Dominic Teo, The Straits Times, 11 Feb 2016

A rock band and a pop singer have come together to work on the most unlikely of songs - one of the first national songs that promotes the concept of Total Defence.

Home-grown singer-songwriter Gareth Fernandez and rock band QuickPick have put their own modern spin on the 1984 ditty, There's A Part For Everyone.

The wait is over - here's the treat we promised!Put your heart, your mind, your will, (and your voice) to our defence,...
Posted by cyberpioneer on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

The refreshed song, along with a new music video, was released yesterday ahead of Total Defence Day on Monday.

It is commemorated every year to remember the day in 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese in World War II.

The annual Total Defence drive, which started in 1984, reminds Singaporeans of the country's limited resources and the crucial role they play in defence.

WWII tours to mark 74th anniversary of the Battle of Singapore

'Behind the scenes' at Battle of Singapore
Museum tours, heritage walks among events to mark 74th anniversary of Japan's surrender
By Melody Zaccheus, The Straits Times, 4 Feb 2016

In Japanese film footage depicting the surrender of Singapore, General Yamashita Tomoyuki, who sat across from British Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival, is a picture of power.

The commander of the Japanese 25th Army is shown nodding vigorously and looking menacing, compared with the British officer commanding Malaya, who was edited to appear indecisive.

The speed of the Feb 15, 1942, surrender footage from the boardroom of the Ford Factory in Upper Bukit Timah Road had been tinkered with and produced as Japanese propaganda.

The historical footage is now on display at the National Museum to mark the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Singapore.

Visitors to the museum will also get to see the long teak table on which the surrender documents were signed. The surrender marked the largest military defeat of British and Commonwealth forces in Britain's military history.

The display is part of the National Museum's new WWII history gallery guided tour.

The National Heritage Board (NHB) is presenting 30 other WWII tours with its partners such as heritage experts, community groups and its Museum Roundtable members from Feb 12 to 28.

Ms Norsaleen Salleh, deputy director of the Museum Roundtable unit at NHB, said the programmes are "valuable opportunities for Singaporeans to learn more about the war period in Singapore's history".

Fort Canning Bunker: $300,000 makeover for WWII bunker Battle Box

New operator of Battle Box at Fort Canning Park aims to start operations in March
By Melody Zaccheus, The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2016

The site where the British decided to surrender Singapore to the Japanese - the Battle Box bunker - has been given a $300,000 makeover.

The one-year effort has rectified the problem of leaks and floods that filled the 9m-deep underground bunker whenever it rained. New generators and an air-conditioning system have been installed too.

The attraction at Fort Canning Park, which is managed by the National Parks Board (NParks), is slated to reopen in March.

Its new operator, the Singapore History Consultants which won a tender in 2013, plans to launch the attraction in three stages.



During the first phase from March to May, visitors will get to go on "high-quality guided tours" costing $18 for adults and $9 for children, said the firm's director Jeya Ayadurai. There will be around five tours a day.

He said: "In the past, the Battle Box mostly focused on the rooms. We're investing heavily in retelling the story of the fall of Singapore that led to Lieutenant-General (Arthur) Percival and the allied forces surrendering to the invading Japanese forces on Feb 15, 1942."

New edition of Hitler's Mein Kampf goes on sale

Sale of anti-Semitic manifesto in Germany unsettles Jewish community leaders
The Straits Times, 9 Jan 2016

MUNICH • New copies of Hitler's Mein Kampf hit bookstores in Germany yesterday, for the first time since the end of World War II, unsettling Jewish community leaders as the copyright of the anti-Semitic manifesto expires.

The southern German state of Bavaria was handed the copyright of the book in 1945, when the Allies gave it control of the main Nazi publishing house following Adolf Hitler's defeat. For 70 years, it refused to allow the inflammatory tract to be republished out of respect for victims of the Nazis and to prevent incitement of hatred.

A Brief History Of Mein Kampf
Earlier in the week Mein Kampf went on sale again in Germany. As the controversial text gets republished, why are people keen to see the new edition and why are others desperate to ban it?
Posted by Sky News on Sunday, January 10, 2016

But Mein Kampf - which means My Struggle - fell into the public domain on Jan 1. Copies of an annotated version running to 2,000 pages prepared by German researchers went on sale yesterday, with the authors arguing that their version would serve to demystify the notorious rant, which in any case can be found just a few clicks away on the Internet.

The version by the Institute of Contemporary History of Munich (IFZ) has been in the works since 2009 and aims to "deconstruct and put into context Hitler's writing".

Retailing at €59 (S$92), the book looks at key historical questions, the IFZ said, including: "How were his theses conceived? What objectives did he have? And most important: which counter-arguments do we have, given our knowledge today of the countless claims, lies and assertions of Hitler?"

Education Minister Johanna Wanka has argued that such a version should be introduced to all German classrooms, saying it would serve to ensure that "Hitler's comments do not remain unchallenged". But the Jewish community questioned whether it was necessary to propagate the incendiary text again.

The Holocaust as political prop

The latest attempt by Israel's Prime Minister to politicise genocide dishonours him and those who died.
By Jonathan Eyal, Europe Correspondent, The Straits Times, 2 Nov 2015

LONDON • The Holocaust, the mass extermination of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II, is regarded as such a heinous, vile crime that in many countries, those who question whether it ever took place are liable to prosecution and lengthy jail sentences.

However, that has not prevented the Holocaust from being used and often abused as a propaganda weapon by generations of politicians throughout the world. And this dubious practice even extends to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently had to be rebuked by none other than the government of Germany for attempting to reinterpret the Holocaust to suit his own purposes.

The extraordinary sight of the leader of the Jewish state being called to order for failing to be factually accurate about one of the most horrific episodes ever to have befallen his people is a good example of what should by now be self-evident: that few traps are more treacherous for politicians than the temptation to use history in order to justify their current actions, and no trap is bigger or more dangerous than that of using the Holocaust as a political prop.

National Museum’s permanent galleries reopen on 19 Sep 2015 after year-long revamp

The galleries contain contributions from Singaporeans - among them, the only known recording of the first version of the national anthem.
By Chan Luo Er, Channel NewsAsia, 19 Sep 2015

The National Museum of Singapore officially opened its revamped permanent galleries on Saturday (Sep 19).

The galleries contain contributions from fellow Singaporeans and also pay homage to the country's pioneers. Visitorship to the museum has gone up threefold since the 1990s - last year, more than 1.2 million people visited the galleries.

Attending the opening event, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said: "Singaporeans, whether young or old yearn to reconnect with our past - who we are and where we came from. These historical moorings strengthen our sense of identity and self-confidence. They give us our bearings in an uncertain world."

On display at one of the galleries is the only known recording of the first version of the national anthem - written in 1958 by Mr Zubir Said - before it was refined in December 1959 to become the song we know today. Mr Low Kam Hoong got it as a present from his father when he was 11. He donated it to the museum as he wants to share it with the nation.



There is also a dazzling display inspired by the nation's female Olympians in the 1950s. Tang Pui Wah is the first female to represent Singapore in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and is a role model for Janet Jesudason and Mary Klass, who were the only women to represent Singapore at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. 

"The movement of the display brings to mind the passion we had when we were younger," said Ms Tang. "Just watching it gets my blood racing so I hope youths today will be inspired by it and want to pick up running."

War veterans commemorate 70th anniversary of the end of World War II

Unforgettable images of World War II
Survivors and veterans share memories at ceremony to commemorate 70th anniversary of the end of the war
By Melody Zaccheus, The Straits Times, 28 Aug 2015

Major (Retired) Ishwar Lall Singh still remembers the shrill whistle of Japanese bombs falling through the sky and the sound of artillery fire thundering past.

The sight of dead bodies, crawling with maggots on the streets of Singapore, is another unforgettable World War II image.

Commemorating 70 Years Since the End Of World War II
While we celebrate a proud half century of independence this Singapore50, we also remember a very poignant landmark in our history some 20 years before our independence- when the Second World War officially ended in Singapore. The resilience and courage that our veterans displayed during World War II was recognised at the ceremony to commemorate the end of World War II yesterday. Many of those who experienced the war are no longer with us, but their tenacity lives on in the fighting spirit that their succeeding generations have exemplified in the decades since. From our Founding Fathers who overcame the early challenges of independence, to our Team Singapore athletes who recently overcame all limitations to excel above all expectations at SEA GAMES 2015, the greatest tribute we can pay to our forebears who lived through World War II is to live our lives in keeping with the values they stood so valiantly for. #70thAnniversaryWWII #LestWeForget
Posted by Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth - MCCY on Friday, August 28, 2015

The 86-year-old recounted his experiences at an event yesterday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.

"I saw many dead people. With very few able to lend a helping hand, many died due to lack of proper care, food and medicine. There was no one around to clear their bodies," said Maj (Ret) Singh.

"Scabies, malaria and dysentery were common ailments that afflicted the whole population."



The ceremony, which was attended by war survivors, veterans and Inter-Religious Organisation representatives, included a segment in which Cultural Medallion recipient Professor Edwin Thumboo read a poem he wrote about growing up during the war.

A minute's silence was observed as well.

The National Heritage Board event was held in the City Hall Chamber at the National Gallery Singapore - the former Municipal Building.

It was where British Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Supreme Allied Commander in South-East Asia, accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces in the region on Sept 12, 1945.

August 9: Two significant anniversaries for Singapore

Were it not for the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, Singapore might not be celebrating its Golden Jubilee on August 9, 2015
By Walter Woon, Published The Straits Times, 14 Aug 2015

On Aug 9, Singapore celebrated its Golden Jubilee with an outpouring of national pride and joy.

Aug 9 also marked a more sinister anniversary: the destruction of Nagasaki by the second atomic bomb in 1945. That date has been marked by numerous commemorations both in Japan and elsewhere, all praying for world peace.

Watching these on Japanese television, one comes away with the impression that the bomb came out of the blue, a natural calamity like a tsunami or earthquake or volcanic eruption. It was no such thing. Sympathy for the sufferings of the survivors should not blind us to the historical context. If it had not been for the bomb on Aug 9, 1945, Singapore might not have been celebrating its Golden Jubilee on Aug 9, 2015.

When the Third Reich crumbled in May 1945, it was clear to all that Japan had lost the war. With Germany out of the way, the Allies were free to turn their attention to Asia. Not even the most diehard militarist thought that the war could be won.

The only strategy that the Japanese military had was to make the ultimate victory as costly as possible, in the hope that the war-weary Allies would accept a negotiated peace.

Allied military planners had no illusions about an early surrender. Generals and politicians often spoke grandiloquently of fighting to the last man. Only the Japanese meant it.