Vol. 15 Issue 01 APR–JUN 2019 04 / Reflections on War 06 / Evidence from the Archives 22 / When Food Was Scarce 34 / Retro Disco Scene 52 / Three Records from History The Archives Issue The National Archives Turns 50 p. 10 biblioasia VOLUME 15 APR April 2019 is a special month for the National Archives of Singapore (NAS). After an 18-month JUN makeover, the NAS building at Canning Rise re-opened on 7 April with a slew of upgraded ISSUE 01 2019 Directors’ CONTENTS facilities for the public. As the NAS’ year-long 50th anniversary celebrations that began in June 2018 draw to a conclusion, we will mark its close by hosting the SARBICA* International OPINION Note Symposium from 24–28 June 2019. This special edition of BiblioAsia puts the spotlight on all things archives. In his op-ed, Dr Shashi Jayakumar describes how recent initiatives undertaken by the NAS prepare the organisation – as well as Singapore – for the future. Eric Chin examines the role of the archives in providing evidence and the value this has for Singapore – from resolving the landmark Pedra Branca dispute to helping bring the past to life for today’s generation. Fiona Tan remembers some of the pioneers who started the archives in Singapore, Mark Looking Back, The Unresolved Past: Wong interviews an archives veteran to glean insights into her 45-year career, and Abigail 02 Looking Forward 04 Reflections on War Huang charts the timeline of the archives buildings over the years (we did say this issue is and Memory about the archives!). Cheong Suk-Wai stresses the importance of oral history records and tells us why the life of a humble tailor matters as much as that of the tycoon. The Japanese Occupation remains a dark chapter in our history, and three essays touch on this period and its aftermath. Kwok Kian Woon reflects on the tragedy of war and why it FEATURE is important to remember. Lee Geok Boi pieces together oral history interviews to paint a grim picture of hunger and deprivation during those difficult years. The problem didn’t go away when the war ended: the British had to set up children’s feeding centres to address 10 malnutrition, as Cheryl-Ann Low discovered. Other articles elucidate the value of the archives. Tan Chui Hua puts on her dancing shoes to uncover Singapore’s early disco scene through oral history and newspaper records. Irene Ng, biographer of one of our founding fathers, S. Rajaratnam, ponders the painstak- Building ing process of uncovering the life of a person using archival records. Gretchen Liu highlights Encountering Evidence in the the work of the Photo Unit, whose contributions comprise the single largest collection of 06 Archives (in many ways and of photographs held by the NAS. many things) We recently published 50 Records from History: Highlights from the National Archives of History Ms Wendy Ang Singapore. Three of these items – a map, a contract and an architectural drawing – provide From Stamford Road to Canning Rise Director a peek into the NAS’ vast collection of 10 million records (and counting). Pioneers of the National Archives of Since 2012 – when the NAS became part of the National Library Board – the library and the Archives Singapore 14 archives have worked together to make our resources more accessible to the public. We hope this issue of BiblioAsia will inspire many of you to look deeper into Singapore's documentary Ms Tan Huism and publishing heritage in this bicentennial year, and gain a new appreciation of our roots. Director Wartime Victuals: National Library *Southeast Asia Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives 22 Surviving the Japanese Occupation Editorial & Production When Disco Fever Managing Editor Contributors Lee Geok Boi Please direct all correspondence to On the cover Raged Francis Dorai Abigail Huang 34 Mark Wong National Library Board Various locations of the National Archives Cheong Suk-Wai Shashi Jayakumar 100 Victoria Street #14-01 of Singapore over the years. From top: Editors Cheryl-Ann Low National Library Building Raffles Museum and Library on Stamford Veronica Chee Tan Chui Hua Road, National Library on Stamford Road, Eric Chin Singapore 188064 Mark Wong Yap Jo Lin Old Hill Street Police Station, and the Fiona Tan Email: [email protected] recently renovated NAS building at Canning Website: www.nlb.gov.sg Rise (see page 10) Gretchen Liu Editorial Support Design and Print The Way We Were: Researching S. Masamah Ahmad Irene Ng Oxygen Studio Designs Pte Ltd 30 THE MITA Collection 42 Rajaratnam Jocelyn Lau Kevin Khoo 1949–1969 Fiona Lim Kwok Kian Woon All rights reserved. Stories of the Making National Library Board, Singapore, 2019. BiblioAsia is a free quarterly publication produced by the National 46 Little People 52 History ISSN 0219-8126 (print) Library Board. It features articles on the history, culture and heritage ISSN 1793-9968 (online) of Singapore within the larger Asian context, and has a strong focus The views of writers and contributors do not reflect the views of the Publisher. No part of this on the collections and services of the National Library. BiblioAsia is publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Feeding the distributed to local and international libraries, academic institutions, the Publisher and copyright owner(s). 58 Hungry: Children government ministries and agencies, as well as members of the public. www.nlb.gov.sg/biblioasia/ Whilst reasonable care has been taken to ensure in Post-War The online edition can be accessed with the QR code on the right. the accuracy of the information in this publication, Singapore the Publisher accepts no legal liabilities whatsoever for the contents of this magazine. BIBLIOASIA APR - JUN 2019 VOL. 15 ISSUE 01 OPINION the areas to cover, identifying potential Thus far, more than 30,000 pages have some cases, the enquirer will have imme- interviewees and helping to connect us been transcribed, and another 1,800 old diate access to the materials requested to a network of new volunteers who can photographs captioned by a community and can obtain digital copies of the Shashi Jayakumar examines the role of the National Archives as the official conduct oral history interviews and add of 450 (and growing) volunteers. records if needed, unless the mate rials custodian of government records and the people’s collective memory. to our ever-growing trove of memories. To create awareness among younger are categorised as “classified” or are not In the first 16 months after the launch, Singaporeans, our archivists have intro- available for public use. we trained 109 volunteers and collected duced upper secondary and junior college Other types of technological evolu- The National Archives of Singapore (NAS) This microsite found on the Archives requesting records more user-friendly over 60 interviews, totalling more than students to the rich content found in NAS' tions will be needed, and these will have celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. Online website presents the policy with an improved interface for research- 160 hours. collections. To encou rage greater usage to be made in parallel with a change in This, along with Singapore’s bicentennial paths taken by the government, which ers and members of the public. The oral history stories are incre- at the tertiary level, archivists have been our mindsets as to how information tthis year, is an occasion to reflect on the are categorised according to themes. dibly varied, reflective of the diverse invited to speak to history students about is to be disseminated in an open soci- past as well as the way forward. The SPHP site, which saw 30,000 visits Co-opting, Co-creation range of experiences of the people of resources on Singapore that can support ety. While the NAS is generally viewed The National Archives and Records in 2018, currently features 12 themes, Beyond these initiatives, it is important Singapore, and indicative too of what their lear ning and research needs. Our aim favourably as the guardian of Singapore’s Centre, as it was known in 1968 when it ranging from “The Making of a Na- to examine how the NAS has engaged can be done when communities are is to educate every young person – from administrative and oral patrimony, some first began, was established as the cus- tion - Forging a Singapore Identity” to communities and people in recent years. empowered to share their personal the secondary school level onwards – on still perceive the institution as being todian of the corporate and institutional “Putting Singapore on the Tourist Map More than 50 years have lapsed since memories. A story that has resonated the wealth of patrimonial resources found somewhat archaic and even unapproa- memory of Singapore, a repository for - Singapore’s Early Grand Prix”. There Singapore's independence, and we have with me is that of Eleanor Ballard, who in the archives. We think they will have chable. This impression of the institu- records of national or historical significance are plans to include more themes in to accept the fact that the pioneer genera- was just 14 years old when she saved use for such information at some point tion is unwarranted, and belies the – some of which date as far back as 1800. the future. tion who built the nation with their col- a young European girl from a frenzied in their lives. unwa vering passion and dedication of When the Oral History Unit was The SPHP would not have hap- lective blood, sweat and tears – and lived mob during the Maria Hertogh riots in all the archives staff, many of whom I set up as part of the archives in 1979 pened without the potentially con- through some of the most painful and 1950.