Singapore as an Open City
Interview with JUMABHOY, Jumabhoy Mohamed
Accession Number 000534

J. M. Jumabhoy served as the Minister for Commerce and Industry from 1956 to 1959 in the Labour Front government, Singapore’s first elected government. In this clip, he talked about a visionary idea that Singapore’s first Chief Minister David Marshall had conceptualised, of Singapore being an open city, one where people from all around the world congregated for large-scale conventions, trade, and international discussions.

Singapore’s First Test-tube Baby
Interview with LEE, Samuel Jian Wei 李健伟
Accession Number 003409

Mr Samuel Lee Jian Wei is Singapore’s first In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) baby. Born in 1983 to Mr and Mrs Lee Chye Huat at Kandang Kerbau (KK) Hospital, Lee’s birth brought hope to many childless couples and was a milestone in Singapore’s medical history. The in-vitro fertilisation programme was the brainchild of surgeon Prof S. S. Ratnam, whose team went on to achieve various other breakthroughs. In this clip, Lee explained the reactions he got from his friends and peers when they found out that he is a test-tube baby.

The First CPF Computer
Interview with IAU, Robert Kuo Kwong 姚国光
Accession Number 002275

The first computer to reach Singapore in September 1963 was an IBM 1401, and it was first implemented for use by the Central Provident Fund (CPF). As the computer was too large to fit through the front door of the CPF Board Building at Anson Road, workers had to hack at the third storey window in order to transport the crates carrying the computers inside. In this clip, Mr Robert Iau Kuo Kwong, the General Manager of the CPF in 1971-1980, described what the computers looked like and how they operated.

Hassle-free Healthcare
Interview with LIAK Teng Lit 陆圣烈
Accession Number 003867

The Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, opened in June 2010, was built following specific instructions from former Minister for Health, Khaw Boon Wan. The hospital was constructed to centre around the patient, maximising accessibility and ease of navigation in its facilities. In this clip, Liak Teng Lit, former Chief Executive Officer of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, shared about the initial conceptualisation of the hospital, which was designed with the intention of transforming healthcare.

Introducing Open-book Examinations
Interview with LIM Pin (Prof.) 林彬
Accession Number 001817

Professor Lim Pin began his career at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1966 as a lecturer and was the Vice Chancellor from 1981 to 2000. In 2000, he was named the first University Professor of NUS. In this clip, he explained how the introduction of open-book examinations was a move towards instilling innovation and creativity in students, as it reduced emphasis on memorizing and encouraged students to focus on applying what was described in the textbooks.

Punk on the Airwaves
Interview with HO, Chris Wai Chee @ Chris Ho
Accession Number 001686

Chris Ho Wai Chee was a former DJ at Rediffusion, a company that pioneered cable radio in Singapore. In this clip, he recalled the first time a listener requested for a punk rock song to be broadcast on radio.

The NEWater Story
Interview with TAN Gee Paw 陈义辅
Accession Number 003170

Tan Gee Paw was the Chairman of the Public Utilities Board (PUB). He played a crucial role in drafting Singapore’s first Water Master Plan in 1972, which included the development of NEWater. In this clip, Tan talked about how NEWater is a key innovation to secure Singapore’s water supply. A pillar of Singapore’s water sustainability, the five NEWater plants provide up to 40 percent of Singapore’s current water needs today.

Promoting Libraries
Interview with ANUAR, Hedwig Elizabeth nee Aroozoo
Accession Number 002036

Hedwig Anuar was the Director of the National Library from 1965 to 1988. In this clip, she explained the process of promoting the libraries and the types of outreach efforts to encourage children and teachers to use library resources.