Singapore 1960s: A New Nation Struggles To Survive | In Our Time | Full Episode

A companion account of Singapore's history told by everyday Singaporeans - revealing how identities and aspirations took shape against the backdrop of a new nation's struggle to survive in the 1960s.
In Our Time playlist: • In Our Time | Full Epi...
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About In Our Time: Rediscover the decades that shaped a nation, and Singaporeans' stories behind the Singapore story.
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[@JW-eu7br]

I served with the British forces in Singapore from 1966 to 1969 and this film brought back many pleasant memories to me. I found the Singaporeans were lovely, cheerful people and very industrious and determined to get their country on a strong footing for their and their children's future. I still have the greatest respect for them and am delighted that they are flourishing.

[@onghockchwee2342]

Did You Not Missed 'Bugis Street's Then You Not Been To Singapore..

[@tonykwok9763]

27MAR2024...2.30PM👍👍👍👍👍TYPIST....PWD OR.INCOME TAX....90$ PER MONTH....I WAS 17+.....18....THEN I GOT 180$ PM....1960S....BEATLEMANIA.....YEAH YEAH YEAH.....SHE LOVES YOU....YEAH YEAH YEAH🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼 KAMPONG POTONG PASIR....TOA PAYOH.. .....WHAMPOA DRIVE...... MINBU COURT.....MELROSE COURT.....PIGEON 99 YEAR HOLE🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😊

[@scholae9199]

The tough era when our ama and akong started their lives...... Malaysia was bitter toward Sg, Indonesia terrorized Sg, UK decided to withdraw their army, communism the biggest threat, messy kampongs etc......im so glad that LKY, GKS, S. Raj and other pioneering leaders were able to steer Sg to what it is now

[@shamshulanuar7718]

Malaysian was not bitter to Singaporeans. It is just that LKY provoked Malay community. LKY challenged Malay rights as enshrined in Constitution And the Malay rights are enshrined in Constitution in return to Malay Sultans agreed to grant citizenships to Chinese and Indians at eve of independence in 1957. Prior to 1957, only the Malays were the citizens of Malaya. Chinese and Indians were back then mere immigrants. Malay Sultans were not willing to grant citizenships to non Malays if nothing is given back to Malays. I mean who in that position would want to grant massive citizenships that change the and from being officially exclusive Malay to that off multi racial. LKY challengsed that right

[@simonsimon2888]

The Chinese educated were against the British inspite of the English/Malay currency in 1953 were used. Hence, the political agenda till now is 'Chinese speak Mandarin'. Go and ask Ah Kong, Ah Ma whether China currency is use here. i dare say i never grew up with Chinese money, only with English/Malay money. China's money is renminbi or yuan with the face of Mao Zetong. i did not deceive myself, did you?

[@hoheetsun9831]

@@simonsimon2888 l

[@simonsimon2888]

There is 'a hidden true politic' of all the 'surface politics' many of us have been taken for 'a joyous ride'. An excellent and convincing 'political drama' by Tengku, LKY and Soekarno. Do you know Singapore is an Indonesian island? Hence, our flag is red and white, except with 'the Crescent & Five Stars'. Where do these 'extras' come from? Everything is a okay, not until the Chinese school students (male & female) went on the street riots with the police. The pain in everyone's arse is the 'Chinese educated' for there were four types of school, namely English, Chinese, Malay & Tamil language streams. This Chinese problem remains until today...COVID (Chinese Offensive Vicious Indulgent Deadly) viruses of human strain.

[@kimchiba4570]

I'm am thankful for Singapore and our pioneers everyday

[@simonsimon2888]

i witnessed this incident during my childhood. Every sunset, this Mak Chik will bring out her make-shift stall to sell 'goreng pisang'. This Chinese gangster will come and help himself eating the banana fritters for free. She just keeps herself calm without a word, not until the ruffian touches those 'Queen Elizabeth the Second' shilling coins. She splashed the whole frying pan of hot oil onto his face. He ran off in pains followed with the angry woman's shoutings, "pergi report polis!!" Never, ever see this gangster again and not other gangsters, too. "Once bitten, forever shy". Don't want to work, only want to 'Eat Free' but not freely.

[@georgianageorgiana5879]

❤ your story 😊

[@firstcommenter202]

1963 - Operation Coldstore British, Tunku and Lee Kuan Yew arrested 111 opposition politicians including Lim Chin Siong, Lim Hock Siew, Said Zahari using the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance . The entire leadership of the Barisan Sosialis arrested. Jamit Singh was detained under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance, but pending the outcome of his trial, the order of detention was suspended and replaced by an order of restrictive residence in Singapore.

[@khtay8731]

First Commenter, I guess Singapore was already An Independent Country then and there were no such things as communists around, only lots of social workers.

[@veekwok5611]

The 60's in Singapore was still a very difficult decade. Most people still lived in Kampungs of their own race or dialect group. Gangsters and triads were common and crimes were rife. Communist was still a threat to Singapore. The standard of living was consider low as most families were poor, but lived a more simple and contented life-style. It was during the late 60's that Singapore was starting to industrialised somewhat and some Western influence started to seep into the society. English music started becoming popular, especially The Beatles and Go Go was the trendy dance. Cheong Sam and Sam Foo were still the common attire for Chinese ladies and most Malay ladies wore Sarong Kebaya. These are some of my memories as a young boy/teenager in the 60's.

[@mike04574]

Yup, these videos are way too positive

[@onghockchwee2342]

You Missed Bugis Street

[@HauTran-sunfromsouth]

I’m not Chinese & not Malaysia though But China who immigrants in Malaysia around 1680-1700s mostly is MERCHANTS, SKILLED WORKERS & HIGH EDUCATION & BUSSINESS, many of they have merchants ship 🚢 & they’re bough lower-poor Chinese workers to working for them as well. At that time - SINGAPORE IS STILP BELONG TO MALAYSIA BUT ITS WAS DESERTED & MUDDY SWAMPY ISLAND!! No Malaysian living here. Until CHINESE MERCHANT & their Chinese workers moves there. BUT LATER, MALAYSIAN BLOODY HATEFUL CHINESE & WANT KICK THEM OUT. Alots of riots, burning & kill Chinese. Thats why they’re separate. IF SINGAPORE STILL UNDER MALAYSIA - I bet now, it’s still under devolveping place, fulfills by poor & broken infrastructure. CHINESE SINGAPORE IS THE ONE WHO START TO BUILDING THIS COUNTRY - WITH THEIR GENIUS VISION & GOOD PLANS, SMART LAWS SYSTEMS TO BOOSTER THIS AREAS BECOME AMAZING SINGAPORE TODAY. Yes, Malaysian who stay in Singapore since this land is separated is help to buil this country with Chinese too. BUT IT CLEAR AT BEGINS - LOCALS MALAYSIA IS THE ONE WHO KICK THEM OUT, with their mindset let Chinese livin in 1 island areas only & cant enter to Malaysia lands. But HALO, they’re building their new country better, cleanser & richer, more developed than Malaysia gorvement did. NOW ALOTS OF MALAYSIAN STILL MAD ABOUT SINGAPORE SHOULD BELONG TO THEM. Then why the fk you not mad at your great-grandparents- who chose to kicked out these Chinese who immigrated to Malay over 1700s stay fews generation in Malaysia & become part of Malay already. But your great-grandparents because of hateful & wrong choice, kick them out. Put Chinese immigrants in Malaysian to this lands & dont want them stay in mainland Malay. That’s why they’re creating & build news country name SINGAPORE!! And the results is theyre did good & amazing results. And no, British not building Singapore. Singapore is become amazing today because of CHINESE MALAYSIAN WHO IMMIGRANTS IN THIS LANDS AOUND 160-1700s, they’re become part of Malay. But Malay never see them ask part of country. So after Malay independence they’re kick out Chinese origins - even they’re 7,8,9 generation born & raise in Malay.

[@vinoperoni7649]

Singapore in the 60's was poor miserable & corrupt the promised land for the rich only. Yes, it's true Singapore at that time was infested with criminal gang syndicates extorting money from small shops & street hawkers, Singapore was the Siamese twin of the Philippines. Eventually Singapore became the Tiger Economy of Asia a rich high standard of living country with low crime rate thanks to Lee Kwan Yew's strong iron fist authoritarian regime, & his legacy continues

[@crickmalcolm3763]

vino peroni Lee Kwan yew was a great man I was lucky to meet him when he visited St Johns school where I was a student.

[@concernedcitizens4110]

Singapore is literally the Israel of Southeast Asia, during its conception its bigger neighbors were opposed of its formation. One of its bigger neighbors in this case Indonesia even gone so much of launching its own campaign of sabotage with the backing of Communist World (the Eastern Bloc, China and others) as well as most of Asian, African and Latin American countries. But even though it’s outnumbered heavily it remains stood tall against all odds and now it becomes one of tiger economies in Asia.

[@bowlampar]

The pioneers and independence generation together with the pragmatic founding father Mr LKY's vision had contributed so much for today success, prosperity and progress.

[@palamirtammarimuthu1752]

wow...l am 60today ....closeted ....in my home and school....in 1960s....never even heard of grand prix....horse racing...discos....swimming...SEA games....only knew Van Kleef Aquarium...Thye Hong biscuits...Van Houten chocolates...Tiger Balm Gardens...Kranji War Memorial...Mariamman Koil....Tank Road Murugan Koil...Senpaga Vinaayaga Koil....Sreenivasa Perumaal Koil....Japanese Garden.....22/4/20

[@simonsimon2888]

The trainings come from PTS(Police Training School) along Thomson Road near Singapore Polo Club. Kandang Kebrau Police Station and Rumah Miskin Police Station disappeared completely. The Singapore Police HQ still there at Hill Street now MICA.

[@2011littlejohn1]

I have a soft spot for Singapore as that is where I learned to play guitar. I met the Quests who used to play with Keith Locke a vocalist and they often jammed at Toby's Paradise Bar. They would play a song written by Keith Lock I think. It was called Don't Play That Song For Me. I had a few guitar lessons from a local guy called Vivien Nones he was one of the best guitar players I've ever met before or since. He could play any style including like Chet Atkins. I went back there 50 years later to play a few songs by then being reasonably competent.

[@yuklybtw865]

Mom: *What are you watching?* Me: *Singapore BUT IN THE 1960’S* Mom: *Why are you screaming?* Me: *Well I didn’t mean to* Mom: *Oh wait that’s me at old singapore* Mom: -takes phone- Me: *What the....*

[@anniechrisbendy6000]

🇬🇧 singapore has earned its place as a FANTASTIC REPUBLIC 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 BRAVO .....beautiful clean little country.🇬🇧👏

[@HauTran-sunfromsouth]

I’m not Chinese & not Malaysia though But China who immigrants in Malaysia around 1680-1700s mostly is MERCHANTS, SKILLED WORKERS & HIGH EDUCATION & BUSSINESS, many of they have merchants ship 🚢 & they’re bough lower-poor Chinese workers to working for them as well. At that time - SINGAPORE IS STILP BELONG TO MALAYSIA BUT ITS WAS DESERTED & MUDDY SWAMPY ISLAND!! No Malaysian living here. Until CHINESE MERCHANT & their Chinese workers moves there. BUT LATER, MALAYSIAN BLOODY HATEFUL CHINESE & WANT KICK THEM OUT. Alots of riots, burning & kill Chinese. Thats why they’re separate. IF SINGAPORE STILL UNDER MALAYSIA - I bet now, it’s still under devolveping place, fulfills by poor & broken infrastructure. CHINESE SINGAPORE IS THE ONE WHO START TO BUILDING THIS COUNTRY - WITH THEIR GENIUS VISION & GOOD PLANS, SMART LAWS SYSTEMS TO BOOSTER THIS AREAS BECOME AMAZING SINGAPORE TODAY. Yes, Malaysian who stay in Singapore since this land is separated is help to buil this country with Chinese too. BUT IT CLEAR AT BEGINS - LOCALS MALAYSIA IS THE ONE WHO KICK THEM OUT, with their mindset let Chinese livin in 1 island areas only & cant enter to Malaysia lands. But HALO, they’re building their new country better, cleanser & richer, more developed than Malaysia gorvement did. NOW ALOTS OF MALAYSIAN STILL MAD ABOUT SINGAPORE SHOULD BELONG TO THEM. Then why the fk you not mad at your great-grandparents- who chose to kicked out these Chinese who immigrated to Malay over 1700s stay fews generation in Malaysia & become part of Malay already. But your great-grandparents because of hateful & wrong choice, kick them out. Put Chinese immigrants in Malaysian to this lands & dont want them stay in mainland Malay. That’s why they’re creating & build news country name SINGAPORE!! And the results is theyre did good & amazing results. And no, British not building Singapore. Singapore is become amazing today because of CHINESE MALAYSIAN WHO IMMIGRANTS IN THIS LANDS AOUND 160-1700s, they’re become part of Malay. But Malay never see them ask part of country. So after Malay independence they’re kick out Chinese origins - even they’re 7,8,9 generation born & raise in Malay.

[@palamirtammarimuthu1752]

ya...l remember the Redhill/Bukit Merah floods.....in 1960s......l was in my Appa's schoolhouse brick and mortar jaga (securityguard) quarters......22/4/20.....frogs croaking .....tadpoles....silt.....fun and unsettling

[@RudyDjoe]

17:54 The late Malay Crooner, M.Bakri. one of the amazing crooners who was famous in Singapore and Malaysia. :)

[@azia5051]

You guys need more likes👍🏻👍🏻

[@MartinMart-mo5ee]

Singapore nama terawal pulau Singah -Berlabuh or Pelabuhan English call Port Islanders Malay arcipilago =Singah= Port ( singahport ) Refer to afred Russell Wallace ~origin of species 19 century

[@waterdispensersdiy2511]

Those good old years. Memories of our younger days in Singapore. Still remember the SEA GAME when i was staying in Toa Payoh.

[@crickmalcolm3763]

1966/69 great times in Singapore, the Grand pri was great fun all on normal roads. Was and still is a Great country, I finish school there and wish I could have stayed

[@tamilinrussia]

I like Singapore❤️

[@roxxyroxxy4667]

Love to watch old spore

[@peterhenry986]

Remember the Chan swimmers!!!

[@simonsimon2888]

The older generation in 'country before self' of enduring hardships and sacrifices for a better life.

[@danceoffAsh]

Thanks CNA, wish I could have migrated to SG back in the '60s (while being born in the 40s) even though times were tough then, at least it had a thriving music scene for us musicians to participate and contribute.

[@sammavacaist]

No where in the world really has a thriving music scene today. Not even NYC or London.

[@danceoffAsh]

@@sammavacaist Well compared to SG's industry these days those places are certainly better.

[@sammavacaist]

I knew that woman had to be a champion athlete. She's so quick & youthful seeming for a person her age. 😊

[@tonykwok9763]

🤟those were the days!♡♡♡

[@renawong1601]

Anyone know where to view Sean Cham artworks? 45:42

[@chenricky5272]

Respects to all of them!

[@mchelvantx]

My husband is from Singapore. He still misses the food, but says things have changed a lot.

[@georgianageorgiana5879]

My grandparents from singapore 🇸🇬 ❤

[@lakhbinderjitsingh7795]

Singapore , spiritually symbol on heaven's up there 😇

[@12dougreed]

Singapore ❤️ the greatest place on the planet, Especially for a young 20 year old soldier returning from a tour of Borneo ( the confrontation) in 1965 I still visit when I can. All the best to all Singaporean

[@sadiomane1071]

How come nothing on 1950s Singapore??

[@jonjonhyper8324]

America have their golden age. This to me, is the Noire golden age of Singapore. Ghosh the visuals

[@artistsyeun7677]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@abdulhamidmanaf3887]

it's sad to see the island that belongs to the Malays lost to the immigrants that brought by the British

[@kaiserlow652]

Malays were also immigrants

[@abdulhamidmanaf3887]

@@kaiserlow652 go back to your history class.This place was called The Malay Archeopilago....please don't deny it or made a deception...

[@abdulhamidmanaf3887]

This statement can be debate academicly

[@shamshulanuar7718]

Kaiser There is article 152 in Singapore Constitution that explains the duty of Singapore govt to take care the interest of native Malays. As for Malays, they are native of Malaysia and Singapore. Nothing to be embarrassed about it. No doubt the real people of the land is Orang asli in jungle. But all treaties were made made only with Malay Sultans. Treaties, war ulmatums and whatever deal were made only with Malay Sultans, not some Kapitan Cina. Malaysia old name is Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. And until today the Malay Royals are termed Raja raja Melayu.

[@itsmenny]

but was made rich by the chinese even malaysia the chinese made it richer

[@teomy5531]

👍❤

[@abdulhamidmanaf3887]

We hope the Malays in Singapura will rewrite their history...

[@kimchiba4570]

They make a mess in Malaysia and Indonesia...dun bet too much on that.. First ....you need ...

[@maxmy2007]

​@@kimchiba4570 lol...

[@unkniwdead3516]

Always treasure what we have, a young nation build by our good governments to what it is today should not be easily forgotten or ignored by our future generations. Our PAP younger generation governments are well groomed with rich experiences from all walks of life. Long foresight thinkings have always been a legacy of our late's LKY to bring SG forward whether in good or bad times. The unity of the people and supports for our governments are equally important to press on the continual success. Bearing in mind, we cannot be complacent all the times as SG success or failure is in each and everybody's own hand.