Record Date

Broadcast/Release Date

Recorded Duration

Recording Language

Accession No.

Type

Format

Conditions Governing Access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

Synopsis :

1. Verdict of the People (1962)

Synopsis: September 1, 1962, one of the crucial days of Singapore's history - the day the people chose for merger with Malay and Malaysia by casting three quarters of their votes in favour of a United Malaysia and a fair deal for all.

Shot Description: Singapore crest; people going to vote at the Singapore National Referendum; polling station; 1 September 1962 - Polling Day; queues; more people arriving; ballot paper poster; long queues; policemen helping queues; polling station (at school); old and young voters; checking of identity cards; 'One citizen, one vote'; ballot paper; ballot booths; ballot boxes; old man voting; 8pm - polls closed; sealing of boxes; ballot boxes carried out of polling station; badminton hall; policemen on duty controlling traffic and crowds; official counting agents showing passes before entry;  Barisan Socialis leader, Lim Chin Siong; opposition members; People's Action Party (PAP) members; another Barisan Socialis leader, Dr Lee Siew Choh; Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and  Minister for Finance, Dr Goh Keng Swee; chartered buses arriving with polling staff and boxes; unloading boxes from bus; row of boxes; people gathering outside; interior of counting centre; counting; PM Lee awaiting people's verdict; people waiting; 8.30am on Sunday; Dr Lee demanding a recount; as recount started, Dr Lee and his party walked out; recount goes on; 11.15am on Sunday; Superintendent of Referendum announcing the  people's verdict; PM Lee; photographers; PM Lee speaking over Radio Singapore*; PM Lee shouting 'Merdeka'.

*Sound bite is taken from Mr Lee's speech over Radio Singapore on 4 September 1962:
• This is your victory – a victory of the people, of the ordinary men and women. They do not usually shout slogans or make fierce speeches. They do not run around in regimented groups giving a facade of omnipotence. But they have their own minds, and they took their stand for the nation. They stood united against those who were anti the nation, and in doing so, they exploded the myth of invincibility – a myth by which the communists intimidate or cow people into submission. So long as we are not afraid to stand up for what is right, it is we ordinary men and women who will decide our fate of our people.


2. Peaceful Revolution (1960)

Synopsis: The achievements of the first year of the freely elected People's Action Party (PAP) Government - the new servants of the people, dedicated to establish a more just and equal society and who have brought about, as they promised, a year of Peaceful Revolution.

Shot Description: General shots of Singaporean children; Van Kleef Aquarium; City Hall; National Museum; National Loyalty Week; PAP cabinet at City Hall; opening of Bands Community Centre by Minister for Finance Dr Goh Keng Swee; classes at the community centre; sewing; cooking; weight-lifting; Hong Lim Green playground; cultural show; Malay adult education class; boys playing in the field; students going to school; Raffles Girls' School; Work Brigade, PM Lee speaking to Work Brigade; PM Lee and Chan Chee Seng, Parliamentary Secretary, Home Affairs; Singapore Teachers' Union Congress (building); steel mills; bottling factory; textile; yarns, threads; cigarettes; Dr Goh signing an agreement to build an oil refinery; Singapore Polytechnic; training of students; woodwork; electricity; bricklaying; building of low-cost housing for the people; moving house by lorry; rural roads; tractors on farms; farmers; bus shelter; public telephones; hospital; Toa Payoh Hospital; nurses; dental nurses, mobile dispensary; harbour/port; loading of timber; bales of rubber; bales of grain; Singapore River; bumboats; grains on bumboats; rubber bales; dried rubber; Bank of China building; AIA/Denmark House; Clifford Pier with carparks; airport; air control tower; PM Lee, Dr Toh Chin Chye, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Dr Goh at a meeting; Parliament/Legislative Assembly; and Singapore flag.

3. Singapore National Referendum Bill

1 September 1962; general shots of Singapore - Shenton Way, Nicoll Highway and Merdeka Bridge with lion heads; PM Lee and Malayan Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman on Malaysia Day; voters; and ballot paper.

Alternative A
Pledging citizenship; school children; Chinese High School; Raffles Girls' School; manual labour; rubber factory, and the late President Yusof Ishak in Parliament.

Alternative B
Long queue; timber/labour, farmers; and long queue again.

Alternative C
Factory girls; the choice; referendum; Singapore flag; and vote for the Singapore flag.