Shifting sands : race, memory and war in Singapore

Abstract

This paper examines how the presentation of public history regarding World War Two (WW2) has been framed around the concept of race in Singapore. The advent of WW2 was a pivotal moment in history and memories of the War are closely attached to individual state-building narratives across the world. In Singapore, where the development of a cohesive national identity despite the racially diverse population is balanced with the memory of the war. The racial lens within which it has been presented will be observed over two mediums of Public History. Firstly, from an institutional perspective by analysing Reflections at Bukit Chandu. The paper will analyse elements of the newly redeveloped RBC along with an interview from Rachel Eng who was part of RBC’s curatorial team. Secondly, from a community led perspective in analysing Alfian Sa’at’s play The Tiger of Malaya. The paper examines the structural differences between the play and the film with the assistance of an interview with Alfian Sa’at himself. By drawing the connection between historical memory of WW2 with the idea of race, in the arena of Public History in Singapore, this paper seeks to provide a fresh perspective on the conversations surrounding the War.