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Built at a cost of $185,000 and completed in October 1869, the Istana was first known as Government House. It was originally built by the British colonial government to serve as the residence of the governor of the Straits Settlements and later the governor of the Colony of Singapore. Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore, National The resplendent Istana – where colonial governors Heritage Board. and modern-day presidents once lived – celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2019. Wong Sher Maine recounts key moments in its history.

“The building is a handsome one – 1819, the early governors (initially known by Prince Albert – Duke of Edinburgh and the handsomest by a long way in the as Residents)3 lived in a wooden house the second son of Queen Victoria – in Settlement and one which will be on Government Hill4 (now Fort Canning). December 1869 hastened the pace of an ornament to the place long after However, when the house was demolished construction.6 those who fought for and against it in 1859 to make way for a fort, another Government House took shape have passed away.”1 home had to be found for the governor. under the hands of convict labourers A 106-acre (0.4 sq km) plot of land from India, Ceylon and Hong Kong who was identified as an alternative. It was were paid 20 cents a day to work as stone – The Straits Times, 24 April 1869 part of the former nutmeg plantation masons, plumbers, carpenters, painters owned by the East India Company barrister and stone cutters. It was completed in Charles Robert Prinsep, after whom Prin- October 1869 at a cost of $185,000.7 sep Street is named. The plantation had The stately building was designed These words by a Straits Times scribe some been devastated by a disease that killed in the neo-Palladian style8 and reflected 150 years ago would prove to be uncannily off all the nutmeg trees in the mid-1850s architectural elements of the East and prophetic. He was referring to Government in Singapore.5 The land was on elevated West: imposing Greek-style columns, tHouse, which is today known as the Istana, ground and provided superb views of the cornices and arches reminiscent of the official residence and office of the presi- town and harbour. buildings in Europe, and wide verandahs, dent of Singapore. A century-and-a-half Government House was built on large louvred windows and dwarfed old, the Istana – which means “palace” in the instructions of Harry St George Ord, piers adapted from traditional Malay Malay – is a gazetted national monument then governor of the Straits Settlements architecture. and also functions as the working office of (1867–73). The appointed architect was Between 1869 and 1959, Govern- the prime minister of Singapore. It is the Colonial Engineer Major John Frederick ment House was home to 18 colonial closest thing Singapore has to Buckingham Adolphus McNair. governors.9 Government House also Palace or the White House. In July 1867, the Straits Settlements bore witness to a procession of kings, Legislative Council approved a budget of sultans, dukes and other members of the Colonial Beginnings $100,000 to build a structure that was nobility, who graced the halls with their Government House was originally built by much smaller in scale than the present presence. These included the Sultan of the British colonial government to serve building we now know as the Istana. In Selangor Abdul Samad, who called on the as the residence of the governor of the the same month, the governor’s wife Lady governor in 1890 with an entourage of Straits Settlements and later the governor Ord laid the foundation stone. over 30 people, and King Chulalongkorn of the Colony of Singapore.2 For about A plan for a larger building was sub- of Siam who visited with a reported 66 40 years after Stamford Raffles landed in sequently approved, but the money set people in 1871.10 aside was insufficient. McNair managed Given Singapore’s prime geographi- to get the additional funds he needed by cal location, the island was a popular The grand facade of the Istana, with its reflection Wong Sher Maine is a freelance writer who has written mirrored on the shimmering surface of the lawn two books about the Istana: Our Istana was published pointing out unanticipated construction stopover for European visitors en route to fountain. Courtesy of Marshall Cavendish and in 2015, while 50 Best Kept Secrets of the Istana: People challenges, such as the need to build a China, and some of these visitors put up the Istana. and Places was published in 2019. granite foundation. An upcoming visit at Government House on transit. These 54 55 BIBLIOASIA JAN - MAR 2020 VOL. 15 ISSUE 04 FEATURE

House was renamed Istana Negara Singa- nitaries. She was particularly well known Puan Noor Aishah also trained the William Goode, who became Singapore’s pura, or Palace of the State of Singapore. for her gula melaka dessert made with Istana’s chefs to whip up her signature 21 first Yang di-Pertuan This was shortened to The Istana when sago, egg white and coconut milk. The dishes which included curry puffs and Negara, hosting Singapore separated from the Federation First Lady was also known for her shrimp kueh onde onde.23 One of her trainees, a tea party for of Malaysia on 9 August 1965 to become and sardine sambal sandwich rolls: Wong Shang Hoon, is still said to be Junior Chamber an independent, sovereign nation. cooking up a storm in the Istana today. International (Jaycees) at Government House, From housing colonial governors “I wanted something different so After Singapore gained indepen- 1956. Garden parties who hailed from Britain, the Istana instead of cutting the sandwiches dence in 1965, the new nation began held on the front lawn became the designated official residence into triangles or rectangles like establishing diplomatic ties with other of Government House for the presidents of Singapore. The usual sandwiches, I would roll countries, and soon, visitors from foreign were a regular feature last governor of Singapore was Wil- them up and cut them into circular countries started streaming in. Memo- in the social calendar of the British governor liam Allmond Codrington Goode, who segments like a Swiss Roll. That way, rable visits include those by West German and his wife. Ministry served as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara the ‘sandwiches’ would be easier Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, China’s Deng of Information and (Malay for “Head of State”) from June to eat… we usually had two fillings Xiaoping and Queen Elizabeth II of the the Arts Collection, to December 1959, before making way – sardines and shrimp sambal.”22 United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth visited courtesy of National for Yusof Ishak, the first local-born Archives of Singapore. Head of State. When Singapore gained (Left) President Yusof independence, Yusof was sworn in as Ishak and Puan Noor the country’s first president. Aishah with their children While the Istana still remains the at Sri Melati, c. 1960s. official residence of Singapore’s presi- Yusof Ishak Collection, dents, only two have actually lived on courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. the Istana grounds and, even then, not in the main building: Yusof lived (Below) Puan Noor Aishah in an outlying bungalow named Sri (second from right), wife of Singapore’s first Melati, which was built in 1869 to house president, Yusof Ishak, 17 included the likes of the English botani- beyond its domain, was bombed by the bombardment, the governor said the colonial under-secretaries. Third seen here hosting a cal artist Marianne North, who visited Japanese. When the soldiers discovered don’t stay here because [it] was president Devan Nair lived in the Lodge, reception at the Istana in 1876 and waxed lyrical about the lush the escape hatch, they sealed it by push- dangerous. Then they got us a which was built to replace Sri Melati for delegates of the Red vegetation around Government House; ing grenades into the tunnel, killing a lorry… We moved to some old after it was torn down in the 1970s Cross Society seminar, 11 1966. Ministry of Annie Brassey, inveterate traveller and number of staff and partially damaging house at Java Road. when termite infestation rendered it Information and the 14 wife of the first Earl of Brassey, who the cellar. structurally unsafe. Arts Collection, courtesy stayed over in 1877 when her schooner The remaining staff escaped and “When the Japanese came, we all Yusof explained at the time when of National Archives of had to be replenished with coal at the hid in houses along Kampong Java Road. came back. They asked us to come he became Head of State that he felt Singapore. Tanjong Pagar docks; and Prince Albert When Count Hisaichi Terauchi, a Field back. My father did the cleaning that the Istana’s main building was too Victor and his brother, Prince George Marshall in the Imperial Japanese Army and gardening... A year before they lavish for him and his three children. The of Wales, who were treated to a royal and Commander of the Southern Expe- went off, they called me to come family stayed in Sri Melati for 11 years, party at the house by Governor Frederick ditionary Army Group, took up residence and work in the Istana because I between 1959 and 1970, where Yusof Weld in 1882.12 in Government House in March 1943, he was learning Japanese. I said okay indulged in his passion for gardening by On occasion, the large and leafy brought them back. Donning their old because they gave us oil and fish… I growing papayas and orchids.18 Devan expanse of grounds hosted garden uniforms, the staff served their new boss attended a Japanese school for 2 ½ Nair and his family lived in the Lodge parties, while dances were held in the and had to learn Japanese.15 years. I learnt Japanese – katakana, between 1981 and 1985.19 The other capacious ballrooms. Retired colonel Thankfully, Terauchi left much of hiragana – and Malay. Whenever presidents, on the other hand, felt more John Morrice, who lived in the servants’ the building intact, apart from redeco- visitors wanted to come into the comfortable living in their own homes quarters of Government House between rating some rooms to give it a Japanese Istana, the Japanese sentry would elsewhere in Singapore. 1935 and 1947 as his father worked as a flavour, including introducing some call me to translate. The Japanese Aside from its occupants, the way waiter there, recalled: Japanese-style screens and getting rid were quite polite to us.”16 of life in the Istana also changed when of items with the British Royal crest on local staff ran the Istana after the British “During the time of the British there them, such as the crockery. However, he When the Japanese surrendered in left. In 1960, the first Asian Comptrol- used to be a lot of parties and tea largely respected and preserved what September 1945, the British returned ler of Household Jean Leembruggen, a dances, once a fortnight or month. was contained in the building. and reoccupied Government House Eurasian from Melaka, was appointed. We all used to hang around there Abdul Gaffor bin Abdul Hamid, once again. Her husband, Geoffrey Leembruggen, and watch from the side. The ladies whose father worked as a butler in Gov- was then acting permanent secretary wore long dresses all the time...”13 ernment House, was born on the grounds From Government House to Istana at the Ministry of Health. in 1931 and spent his childhood and teen The biggest transformation to the building Yusof’s wife, First Lady Puan Noor years there. He recalled: took place after 1959, when Singapore Aishah, personally supervised the menu The War Years embarked on its road to independence and food preparation in the Istana, from Those halcyon days ended as the Japa- “Before the Japanese came in, and the Istana became a symbol of an English-style fare like roast beef and York- nese advanced down Malaya in late we were still here [in the Istana]. increasingly independent Singapore and shire pudding to local favourites.20 The 1941. In February 1942, a cellar at Gov- We had a shelter underneath the not of colonial Britain. skilled home chef introduced dishes like ernment House, which was connected building... air raid shelter for all When Singapore achieved internal nasi sambal, chicken rendang and chap to a tunnel leading out to an opening the staff. When there was heavy self-government in 1959, Government chye which were served to foreign dig- 56 57 BIBLIOASIA JAN - MAR 2020 VOL. 15 ISSUE 04 FEATURE

“Life used to be simple. But once Among the guests who visited the Istana were Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince we moved into the Istana, we (Far left) Spreading over 41 hectares, Philip. Here they are seen chatting with Speaker of Parliament Yeoh Ghim Seng during a state banquet the Istana’s gardens are meticulously hosted by President Benjamin Sheares (in the background) at the Istana on 18 February 1972. Ministry became very busy; there were cared for and are home to some 260 of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. many changes in our lives and plant species. The Japanese Garden there was a lot of protocol to shown here was completed in 1967. observe. I remember there would It features stone and wooden be courtesy calls in the morning, bridges, lanterns and pebbles and a Merkus Pine with needle-like leaves tea parties in the afternoon, that add to the zen-like quality of the and I had to meet many charity surroundings. Photo by Ministry of organisations which were coming Communications and Information. to me for help. All the meetings and (Left) Although the Swan Pond social gatherings were necessary is home to a pair of mute swans, as we were new and we had to other bird species can also be seen get to know people to win their quenching their thirst from its confidence.”29 waters on many evenings. Courtesy of Marshall Cavendish and the Istana. It was Yusof who started the Ista- na’s open house tradition. The very JEWELLED GREENS OF THE ISTANA As Lee often spent long days working Singapore and the Jurong Bird Park first open house event took place on inside the Istana building, the gardens had to be called in to trap the bird and 1 January 1960, between 8 am and Landscaping has always been an essential were a welcome respite. He and Mrs release it behind Sri Temasek. He saw 6 pm, on New Year’s Day. Numerous element of the Istana’s grounds. From the Lee would visit and feed the swans dur- the bird again in 2017, but this time slides, swings and seesaws were trotted beginning, a nursery was established and ing their evening walks and he would it was perched in the overhang along out for children, while the police band many varieties of fruit and flowering trees sometimes pick a cluster of white flowers, the exterior of the Istana.9 entertained the public.30 and shrubs were planted on the 41 hect- commonly known as the breadflower, for As for larger animals, horses Singapore in 1972, 1989 and 2006 and Puan Noor Aishah was the Patron of ares that Government House stood on.1 his wife. These flowers, with their sweet used to be stabled in the Istana, each of her visits caused much excite- Girl Guides Singapore, and she would The First Major Renovations In the years following Singapore’s pandan fragrance, were a favourite of though no longer today. In the 1950s, ment among the Istana’s household staff. invite the Guides to hold their annual By the time Singapore’s fifth president independence, the gardens grew in tan- Mrs Lee’s.5 an elephant was briefly a resident Senior Butler Ismail Abdul Ghani recalled campfire on the Istana grounds once a Ong Teng Cheong took over, the Istana dem with founding Prime Minister Lee The fruit trees on the grounds also of the Istana’s grounds and it aided meeting her in 1972 and 2006.24 year.28 Puan Noor Aishah’s life changed had stood for over 120 years and was in Kuan Yew’s efforts to turn Singapore into provided an occasional treat for the the gardeners by supplying bounte- dramatically after she became First Lady: need of a major overhaul. a garden city. Remembered by many as Istana staff who used to reside in the ous composting material. However, “The first time I met Queen Singapore’s chief gardener, Lee used the staff quarters on the grounds. Many of the elephant was apparently sent to Elizabeth, I was one of two Istana Istana as a testbed for flora to be planted them, and their children, recall plucking Malaya in early 1960.10 butlers who was assigned to attend in the rest of Singapore. He also felt it was fruit off the trees. to her personal needs. I didn’t think important for the Istana’s gardens to make Today, more than 10,000 trees and NOTES she would remember me. But when an impression on visitors. He said: palms – making up some 260 species 1 Leong, C. (2011). The Istana (p. 96). Singapore: I next saw her, at an event where Marshall Cavendish Editions. (Call no.: RSING – grow on the grounds of the Istana. 725.17095957 LEO) all the butlers lined up in a row to “When they drove into the Istana Around 100 are mature trees with girths 2 Leong, 2011, p. 143 greet her, she stopped when she domain, they would see right in the of over 4 metres. The oldest tree is a 3 Ng, H. (2016, March 20). President plants tembusu came to me and said – ‘I remember The Straits tree in Istana and pays tribute to Mr Lee. 25 heart of the city a green oasis, 90 Tembusu, which is believed to have Times. Retrieved from The Straits Times website. you’. I felt so happy!” acres of immaculate rolling lawns been planted in 1867, two years before 4 Cheah, S. (2019). 50 best kept secrets of the Istana: and woodland, and nestling between the Istana was completed. This tree is Flora and fauna (pp. 20, 23). Singapore: Published Sometimes, visitors were invited to by Epigram for the Istana, the office of the 6 them a nine-hole golf course. Without located next to Sri Temasek, which is President of the Republic of Singapore. (Call no.: stay at the Istana. The guest facilities, a word being said, they would know the designated official residence of the RSING 959.57 CHE-[HIS]) which no longer exist today, comprised 5 The Straits Times, 20 Mar 2016. that Singaporeans were competent, prime minister of Singapore. 6 Sri Temasek, designed by Colonial Engineer Major two rows of five rooms on the second disciplined and reliable, a people who The gardens have naturally become John Frederick Adolphus McNair, is a two-storey floor of the main building. Guests were would learn the skills they required home for a great variety of wildlife, bungalow built on the grounds of the Istana in supplied with Lux brand soap, one box 2 1869. During the colonial era, it was the residence soon enough.” including butterflies like the Lesser Grass of the colonial secretary or chief secretary. When of detergent in the form of soap flakes as 26 Blue Butterfly, which is only one centi- Singapore attained self-government in 1959, Sri well as toothbrushes and toothpaste. When Lee came across the foxtail meter in size, dragonflies, fish, terrapins, Temasek became the official residence of the VIPs who had spent the night at the prime minister of Singapore. However, none of the palm – the name inspired by the bushy squirrels, bats, flying foxes, monitor prime ministers have ever lived there. Istana include Emperor Haile Selassie fronds resembling the tail of a fox – while lizards, snakes and weaver ants, which 7 Tan, W.K., et al. (2003). Gardens of the Istana (p. of Ethiopia, who stayed with his two pet on a visit to Australia, he asked for it to be are found on trees like the Tembusu.7 170). Singapore: National Parks Board. (Call no.: dogs in 1968,27 and Chinese leader Deng RSING q635.095957 GAR) planted on the Istana grounds. Visitors to the As a gazetted bird sanctuary, the 8 Cheah, 2019, p. 69; The Istana (p. 97). (2019). Xiaoping in 1978. Istana today can still see this palm, which is Istana grounds teem with avian life. A Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions. (Call no.: Yusof and his wife also opened up found beside the iconic Swan Pond.3 survey carried out in April 2019 regis- RSING 725.17095957 IST) the Istana to ordinary Singaporeans. 8 9 Tan, A. (2013, November 21). Barn owl a surprise The Swan Pond, home to a pair tered 89 bird species. In fact, current visitor at PM Lee Hsien Loong’s office. The Straits of white mute swans, is also a legacy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has had Times; Lam, L. (2017, August 26). Barn owl visits of Lee’s. It was constructed in 1968 at a barn owl visit him in his Sri Temasek Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong again, for the third With its swagged valances, arched fanlights time in five years. The Straits Times. Retrieved from and draperies in a woven damask fabric, his request and is the largest of various office in 2013 and 2015. In both cases, The Straits Times website. the Reception Hall of the Istana provides an 4 ponds on the Istana grounds. the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of 10 Tan, 2003, pp. 51 & 55. elegant setting for guests. Courtesy of Marshall Cavendish and the Istana.

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Renovation works were carried As part of her plans to open up the Istana to even Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US President Donald Trump enjoying a working lunch with out between 1996 and 1998. This was (Below) more people, President Halimah Yacob started their teams at the Istana on 11 June 2018, ahead of the Trump-Kim Summit held in Singapore on 12 a series of picnics and garden tours. Here she is the Istana’s first major infrastructural Photo by Ministry of Communications and Information. June. seen mingling with patients from Metta Hospice upgrade, and the aim was to create more (Bottom) Sunrise from the Presidential Balcony of the Istana, 2006. Photo by Russel Wong. Istana Art Care and Singapore General Hospital during a room for state functions and to replace Collection, courtesy of National Heritage Board. garden tour on 30 July 2019. Photo by Ministry the building’s ageing mechanical and of Communications and Information. electrical services while preserving its heritage features. Ong, who served as Madam Halimah declared at the president from 1993 to 1999, explained beginning of her term in 2017 that she the need for the makeover: wanted to make the Istana grounds more accessible to the people, including the “[The Istana] is a stately building, elderly and those with special needs. She very grand, very symmetrical, as launched the Picnic@Istana series when it should be for an institutional she took office, where four picnics would building. But internally, it needs be held each year for underprivileged refurbishing. Where we can, we will children as well as those with special try to renovate the place and try to needs.35 Another programme that she bring back its old grace.”31 initiated, Garden Tours@Istana, has wel- comed senior citizens, hospice patients Many new features were added, and their caregivers, and patients from including centralised air-conditioning, the Institute of Mental Health.36 mechanically activated louvres, restored On 6 October 2019, the Istana tory over the years, and performances around” the Istana and experience the timber rafters and beams, automatic held its very first open house event by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra sights and sounds on their computers or sliding doors and a dedicated Ceremonial at night, hosted by Madam Halimah and other local talents.37 smartphones.38 Plaza with four flagpoles for military and her husband Mohamed Abdullah Soon after, the Istana launched an While the Istana may have started displays. Previously, these displays Alhabshee, to mark its 150th anniver- interactive multimedia website with aug- out as symbol of imperial strength and were performed at the airport when sary. Highlights included a lightshow mented reality features titled “Inside the power 150 years ago, today it is a national foreign guests disembarked from the on the walls of the main building Istana” in collaboration withThe Straits icon and occupies a special place close aeroplane.32 depicting the Istana’s heritage and his- Times. The website allows people to “walk to the hearts of Singaporeans. The Istana gardens were also over- hauled and professionally landscaped, 8 Palladianism or Palladian architecture is a the President of the Republic of Singapore. (Call a Herculean effort that took the team NOTES European style of architecture influenced by the no.: RSING 959.57 WON-[HIS]) 1 New Government House. (1869, April 24). The 16th-century Venetian architect Andrea Palladio 20 Our Istana through the years, 2015, p. 27. two years and which involved making Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. (1508–80). The style is characterised by classical 21 Tan, 2017, p. 115. trips to countries such as Australia to 2 The Straits Settlements, comprising Singapore, forms, symmetry and strict proportions. Neo- 22 Tan, 2017, p. 119. Melaka and Penang, was formed in 1826. It was source for unusual plants. Palladian is English Palladian architecture popular 23 Tan, 2017, p. 117. initially an administrative unit of the British East in the 18th century. 24 Zulaiqah Abdul Rahim. (2019, July 15). Bangga ikut The front lawn of the main garden India Company (1826–67) before it came under 9 National Library Board. (2010). The Istana written by jejak arwah datuk dan ayah jadi ‘butler’ di Istana. was originally designed as a traditional direct control of the Colonial Office in London Vernon Cornelius. Retrieved from Singapore Infopedia. Berita Harian, p. 1. 33 as a crown colony (1867–1946). Following the 10 Hoe, I. (2019). 50 best kept secrets of the Istana: 25 Our Istana through the years, 2015, p. 43. European garden. To frame the Istana’s dissolution of the Straits Settlements in 1946, History and heritage (p. 37). Singapore: Published 26 Chua, J.C.H. (2007, August 11). Oral history main building upon approach, the team Singapore was made a crown colony, while Melaka by Epigram for the Istana, the office of the interview with Lee Ah Jee [Transcript of recording transplanted 18 majesticmeninjau trees, and Penang became part of the Malayan Union. President of the Republic of Singapore. (Call no.: no.: 003215/2/1, pp. 23, 29–31]. Retrieved from 3 The First Resident and Commandant of Singapore RSING 959.57 HOE-[HIS]) National Archives of Singapore website. each soaring over 10 metres in height, was William Farquhar (1819–23), who was succeeded 11 See Tan, B. (2018, Jul–Sep). Globetrotting mums: 27 Seet & Myddelton, 2000, p. 96. from other parts of Singapore to the by John Crawfurd as Resident (1823–26). Between Then and now. BiblioAsia, 14 (2). Retrieved from 28 Our Istana through the years, 2015, p. 170. periphery of the circular front lawn. 1826 and 1867, Singapore was governed by Resident BiblioAsia website. 29 Our Istana through the years, 2015, p. 28. Councillors. When Singapore became part of the 12 Seet & Myddelton, 2000, pp. 43, 45. 30 Leong, 2011, p. 172. Straits Settlements along with Melaka and Penang in 13 Lee, P. (Interviewer). (2008, April 21). Oral history 31 Wong, 2019, p. 39. The Istana Today 1867, the first governor was Robert Fullerton (1826– interview with Morrice, John (Colonel) (Retired) 32 Wong, 2019, p. 55. The main building of the Istana exudes 30). Singapore’s last governor was William Goode [Transcript of recording no.: 003306/13/1, p. 4]. 33 Cheah, 2019, p. 12. (1957–59). See National Library Board. (2017). Past Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore 34 Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh. (2018, June 10). elegance, while retaining its heritage and present leaders of Singapore written by Vernon website. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Prime and historical roots. Cornelius. Retrieved from Singapore Infopedia. 14 Seet & Myddelton, 2000, p. 68; Tan, W.K., et al. Minister Lee Hsien Loong ahead of Trump-Kim State gifts bestowed by foreign 4 Government Hill was initially called Bukit Larangan (2003). Gardens of the Istana (p. 50). Singapore: summit. The Straits Times; Tan, D.W. (2018, (“Forbidden Hill” in Malay), When Stamford Raffles National Parks Board. (Call no.: RSING q635.095957 June 11). Trump thanks PM Lee for Singapore’s visitors are showcased in the main built a wooden house with a thatched roof for himself GAR) hospitality, thinks Trump-Kim summit will ‘work building as well as at the Istana Heritage on the hill in 1822, it became known as Government 15 Seet & Myddelton, 2000, p. 68. out nicely’. The Straits Times. Retrieved from The Hill. The house was later used as the residence of the Gallery, which is located at the Istana 16 Chou, C. (Interviewer). (1994, May 30). Oral history Straits Times website. colonial governors of Singapore. When the house was interview with Mr Abdul Gaffor bin Abdul Hamid 35 New picnic series lets more people enjoy the Istana Park opposite the Istana’s main entrance demolished to make way for Fort Canning in 1859, [Transcript of recording no.: 001430/2/1, pp. 3–5. grounds. (2017, November 17). The Straits Times. facing Orchard Road. The walls of the Kim Summit on 12 June 2018. Prime of their professions are held there, such Government Hill was renamed Fort Canning Hill. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. Retrieved from The Straits Times website. 5 Cheah, S. (2019). 50 best kept secrets of the Istana: 17 Leong, C. (2011). The Istana (p. 129). Singapore: Marshall 36 Tour of Istana garden for patients, caregivers. main building are also decorated with Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted Kim as the President’s Award for Teachers, Flora and fauna (p. 9). Singapore: Published by Cavendish Editions. (Call no.: RSING 725.17095957 LEO); (2018, September 11). The Straits Times. Retrieved artworks by local artists, some commis- at the Istana on 10 June, while Trump the President’s Award for Nurses and Epigram for the Istana, the office of the President Tan, K.Y.L. (2017). Puan Noor Aishah: Singapore’s first from The Straits Times website. sioned by former presidents. and his delegation attended a working the Cultural Medallion. of the Republic of Singapore. (Call no.: RSING lady (p. 68). Singapore: Straits Times Press. (Call no.: 37 Ang, P. (2019, September 12). Tickets to first public 959.57 CHE-[HIS]) 34 RSING 959.5705092 TAN) Istana event at night to mark 150 years available Foreign VIPs continue to pass lunch there on 11 June. A total of eight presidents have 6 Seet, K.K, & Myddelton, D.R. (2000). The Istana 18 Our Istana through the years (p. 30). (2015). from Sept 13. The Straits Times. Retrieved from through the halls of the Istana, among For many Singaporeans, the Istana passed through the halls of the Istana. (p. 30). Singapore: Times Editions (Call no.: RSING Singapore: Office of the President of the Republic The Straits Times website. them US President Donald Trump and is a place associated with the highest The current president is Madam q725.17095957 IST) of Singapore. (Call no.: RSING 959.57 OUR-[HIS]) 38 Zhuo, T. (2019, October 28). Step into Istana 7 President’s Office. (2018). The Istana: History. 19 Wong, S.M. (2019). 50 best kept secrets of the without stepping out of your house. The Straits North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who honours in the land. All manner of cere­ Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s first female Retrieved from President of the Republic of Istana: People and places (p. 22). Singapore: Times. Retrieved from The Straits Times website. were in Singapore for the historic Trump- monies honouring individuals at the top president. Singapore website. Published by Epigram for the Istana, the office of 60 61