MEDIA RELEASE Embargoed until 15 Feb 2013, 10.00am CIVILIAN WAR MEMORIAL TO BE GAZETTED AS NATIONAL MONUMENT War Memorial to join 64 existing National Monuments for its socio-historical merit and importance to the community SINGAPORE 15 FEBRUARY 2013 – The Civilian War Memorial, a 67-metre structure honouring the civilians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in 1942 - 1945, will be gazetted as a national monument this year. The Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB) will release details of the gazette at a later date. 2. The intention to gazette the Civilian War Memorial was announced by Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Lawrence Wong, at the 46th Memorial Service for Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation, earlier today. 3. Acting Minister Wong said, “Our national monuments are important markers of major milestones in Singapore’s history. The Civilian War Memorial pays tribute to the civilian lives lost during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. It stands as a reminder of our commitment to defend Singapore, even with our lives. So it is apt that on Total Defence Day this year, we take this significant step to gazette the memorial as one of our national monuments. The trials and sacrifices made by our forefathers during that period of our history remind us of what it means to be Singaporeans, and why we can continue to overcome the odds if we confront our challenges ahead as one united people.”