Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew has made an unparalleled contribution to the development of his country. Indeed, few leaders have had such a singular impact on their country’s history. Under his leadership, Singapore became a stable and secure independent country, moved from a state of extreme economic vulnerability to its current position as the region’s most vibrant economy whose people enjoy standards of education, health and welfare among the highest in the world. One quality of Lee Kuan Yew's leadership that is worthy of special mention is his relentless and extraordinarily successful drive to eliminate corruption in government.Along with his enormous contributions to the development of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew has also been an important statesman in our region. He played a key role in the normalisation of difficult relations with Indonesia and the foundation of ASEAN in the 1960s, the development of APEC in the 1980s and 1990s, and the nurturing of a sense of community across East Asia in recent years while not neglecting the importance of keeping the United States actively involved in the region.
Lee Kuan Yew has spoken out strongly on a range of major international issues, ranging from Asian values, democracy, the international Chinese diaspora, and the place of both China and the United States in our emerging regional order. Many people have contested the views he has set forth, but no one has doubted his sincerity, his integrity or his commitment to advancing the causes of peace and prosperity.
3:45 PM By random
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew was born 16 September 1923, he is a Singaporean statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, from 1959 to 1990, and was one of the longest serving Prime Ministers in the world.As the co-founder and first secretary-general of the People's Action Party (PAP), he led the party to a landslide victory in 1959, oversaw the separation of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965 and its subsequent transformation from a relatively underdeveloped colonial outpost with no natural resources into a "First World", Asian Tiger. He has remained one of the most influential political figures in South-East Asia.
Under the administration of Singapore's second prime minister, Goh Chok Tong, he served as Senior Minister. He currently holds the post of Minister Mentor, a post created when his son, Lee Hsien Loong, became the nation's third prime minister on 12 August 2004. Because of his continued Ministerial posts, he became one of the longest serving ministers in the world. In 2007, as Minister Mentor, he told the International Herald Tribune that Singapore is "ideology-free".
3:39 PM By random
Dr Goh Keng Swee
Dr. Goh Keng Swee was the second Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore between 1973 and 1984 and a member of Parliament for the Kreta Ayer constituency for a quarter of a century.From 1945 onwards, he worked for the Department of Social Welfare, and eventually become its director.
In 1958, he resigned from the Civil Service to work full-time for the People's Action Party, becoming a key member and later vice-chairman of its Central Executive Commitee.
The following year, he successfully contested the Kreta Ayer seat in the 1959 general election for the Legislative Assembly and joined the first government of Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, as a Minister for Finance.
Upon Singapore's independence on 9 August 1965, he became the nation's first Minister for the Interior and Defence.
He then served as Finance Minister (1967 - 1970), Minister for Defence (1970-1979) and Minister for Education (1979-1984).
After his retirement from politics, he continued to be active in public life, serving as Deputy Chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (1981-1994); Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute of East Asian Philosophies (1983–1992) and Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Governors of its successor, the Institute of East Asian Political Economy (1992–1995); Economic Adviser to the State Council of the People's Republic of China on coastal development and Adviser on tourism (1985); Deputy Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (1985–1992); Chairman of the Singapore Totalisator Board (1988–1994); adviser to the United Overseas Bank group (from 1993); Chairman of N.M Rothschild & Sons (Singapore) Ltd. (from 1994); and Vice-Chairman of Hong Leong Asia Ltd. (from 1995).
Contributions:
In the role of the Finance Minister, he assumed stewardship of Singapore's economy.
As a budget deficit of S$14 million was forecast that year, he introduced stringent fiscal discipline which including cutting civil service salaries.
As a result of these measures, he was able to announce at the end of the year when delivering the budget that the Government had achieved a surplus of $1 million.
He initiated the setting up of the Economic Development Board which was established in August 1961 to attract foreign multinational corporations to invest in Singapore.
The next year, he started the development of the Jurong industrial estate on the western end of the island which was then a swamp, offering incentives to local and foreign business to locate there.
8:36 AM By random
World War 2
6:40 AM By random
Puppets!
6:39 AM By random
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Scripts of our puppet show
Before the Japanese occupation ...
General Percival: Let’s use the ‘Main Fleet to Singapore’s strategy
British soldier: Do you mean that Britain would send ships from Europe if there is trouble in Asia?
General Percival: To maintain the fleet, a huge naval base had to be built in the Far East.
General Percival: Furthermore, we need to install 15-inch guns, usually mounted on ships to defend the naval base in Singapore. Military airfields have to be built in Tengah and Sembawang. Underground bunkers have to be built in several places like Fort Canning, Labrador and Sembawang..
British soldier: Yes, sir. I will inform them to start work now!
With the efforts made by the British to defend Singapore, Singapore has become so strong or inaccessible that it cannot be broken into or captured. Singapore was then known as the “impregnable” fortress of the British Empire in the East.
Hence, Japan therefore proceeded to invade China. To safeguard against Japan’s attack on China, the United States of America (USA) therefore cut off their oil supply to Japan to save China. This has resulted in Japan setting their sights on Southeast Asia which was rich in oil and other raw materials.
During the Japanese occupation ...
In September 1939, a war broke out in Europe.
General Yamashita: We want to be the master of Southeast Asia and the Pacific region while Germany wants to be the master of Europe! We must conquer Southeast Asia!
In September 1940, Japan signed a treaty of friendship with Germany and Italy, calling themselves as Axis Powers.
Before the Japanese invasion…
General Percival: The tanks are not suitable for jungle warfare.
British soldier: Sir, are you sure?
General Percival: Yes!
British soldier: The tanks are able to move at a fast speed.
General Percival : However, it can’t move at a fast speed in the jungle.
General Percival : How about the soldiers that we have sent for war?
British Soldier: We have sent many young soldiers for war.
General Percival: Our soldiers are well-trained and I am sure they are able to defeat the Japanese. We will concentrate with the war in Europe for the time-being.
General Yamashita: Let’s prove to them that they are inferior to us.
During the Japanese invasion…
Japan began to attack Singapore on 11 December 1941
General Yamashita: The time has come…
In 1941, more Indian, British and Australian troops arrived in Singapore to defend Malaya and Singapore for a possible Japanese attack.
General Percival: Get ready! We will have to set off to Malaya and Singapore to defend a possible Japanese attack!
On 2 December 1941, the battleships known as HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse arrived in Singapore but the British could not send more naval and air reinforcements because they are having a war in Europe and North Africa.
On 7 December 1941...
General Yamashita: We will attack Pearl Habour in Hawaii to destroy the American Pacific fleet to aid in our invasion of Southeast Asia. At the same time, we will begin our attacks on Malaya and other ports of Southeast Asia by air, sea and land.
Japanese soldier: Yes, sir!
General Yamashita: Are you ready?
Japanese soldier: Of course!
On 10 December 1941, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk off the coast of Kuantan.
Japanese soldier: Of course!
On 10 December 1941, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk off the coast of Kuantan.
General Yamashita: Before the war, we have received information from Malaya and Singapore about British defence and readiness and we have planned how to defeat the British. Haha! We will definitely win the war!
General Percival: We have underestimated the Japanese. We believed that they were inferior to us but they proved us wrong.
General Yamashita: Haha! We have a large modern airforce and naval fleet unlike the British! We are also better trained in jungle warfare. We are going to conquer Singapore soon! HAHAHA!
General Yamashita: I set up a headquarters at Johor Sultan's palace to get a bird's eye view of Singapore. Although the tower will be an easy target but I'm very sure that the British will not attack the home of their old friend. What a smart idea I've got!
British soldier: During the fight, we have misunderstood General Percival’s intention and have withdrawn even before the Japanese arrive. We're deadbeat and extremely exhausted from fighting and retreating.
On 15 February 1942, the British had a final conference at the Fort Canning bunker.
General Percival: We have underestimated the Japanese. We believed that they were inferior to us but they proved us wrong.
General Yamashita: Haha! We have a large modern airforce and naval fleet unlike the British! We are also better trained in jungle warfare. We are going to conquer Singapore soon! HAHAHA!
General Yamashita: I set up a headquarters at Johor Sultan's palace to get a bird's eye view of Singapore. Although the tower will be an easy target but I'm very sure that the British will not attack the home of their old friend. What a smart idea I've got!
British soldier: During the fight, we have misunderstood General Percival’s intention and have withdrawn even before the Japanese arrive. We're deadbeat and extremely exhausted from fighting and retreating.
On 15 February 1942, the British had a final conference at the Fort Canning bunker.
General Percival: More men will be killed if they are engaged with the Japanese in street fighting. Our supplies of food and water are also running out..
After a while of brainstorming on ideas to defeat the Japanese...
After a while of brainstorming on ideas to defeat the Japanese...
General Percival: Alright, I've decided! In order to prevent further bloodshed, we will opted for surrender. We've got no other better choice.
At the negotiating table, General Percival met General Yamashita for the first time. The British gave in and surrendered to the Japanese.
General Yamashita: I want to hear whether you want to surrender or not. If you want to surrender, I will insist if to be unconditional. What is your answer? Yes or no?
At the negotiating table, General Percival met General Yamashita for the first time. The British gave in and surrendered to the Japanese.
General Yamashita: I want to hear whether you want to surrender or not. If you want to surrender, I will insist if to be unconditional. What is your answer? Yes or no?
General Percival: Will you give me until tomorrow morning to consider?
General Yamashita: Tomorrow? I cannot wait and the Japanese forces will have to attack tonight.
General Percival: How about waiting until 11.30pm (Tokyo time)?
General Yamashita: If that is the case, the Japanese forces will have to resume our attack till 11.30pm. What is your answer?
General Percival: (silence)
General Yamashita: I want to hear a decisive answer and I insisted on an unconditional surrender. What do you say?
General Percival: Yes.
General Yamashita: Alright then. The order to cease fire must be issued exactly at 10pm. I will immediately send one thousand troops into the city area to maintain peace and order. Do you agree to that?
General Percival: Yes.
General Yamashita: If you violate these terms, the Japanese will not hesitate to launch a general and final offensive against Singapore City.
General Percival signed the surrender agreement.
During the Japanese occupation……
General Yamashita: I want to hear a decisive answer and I insisted on an unconditional surrender. What do you say?
General Percival: Yes.
General Yamashita: Alright then. The order to cease fire must be issued exactly at 10pm. I will immediately send one thousand troops into the city area to maintain peace and order. Do you agree to that?
General Percival: Yes.
General Yamashita: If you violate these terms, the Japanese will not hesitate to launch a general and final offensive against Singapore City.
General Percival signed the surrender agreement.
During the Japanese occupation……
Life was harsh under the Japanese rule and screams of torture could be heard.
Victim 1: I was forced to learn Japanese but I was relunctant to learn.
Victim 2: I prefer the life before Japanese occupation.
Victim 2: Everything was in Japanese and I do not understand the language.
Victim 1: Being a Chinese, life was a torture with lots of hardship.
Victim 2: I have been tortured practically everyday. I hope that the Japanese will treat us better.
Japanese soldier: Are u guys complaining and cursing behind our back?
Victim 1: No! We have always treated the Japanese with due respect.
On August 1945, World war 2 ended after the bombing of two Japan cities (Nagasaki and Hiroshima). General Yamashita decided to surrender to reduce the number of casualties.
General Yamashita: I decided to surrender.
General Percival: What a wise decision!
3:30 PM By random
