Former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrapped up the SG60 celebrations this year by unveiling The Albatross File – a newly declassified document that reveals a fresh perspective on Singapore’s separation from Malaysia.
If you’d like to see the contents of the file for yourself, visit The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified, a new exhibition at the National Library Building, where you’ll get to watch history unfold before your eyes.
Image credit: @muhammadfaishalibrahim via Instagram
The Albatross File is a series of documents, collated by Dr Goh Keng Swee, covering the events leading up to Singapore’s separation from Malaysia in 1965. It offers a nuanced perspective on the separation, and highlights the key figures behind that momentous decision.
It was code-named “Albatross” in reference to Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, as Dr Goh believed that Malaysia had become an obstacle to Singapore’s growth due to the widening ideological divide. For instance, Malaysia’s Bumiputera policy, which favours indigenous Malays, went against Singapore’s commitment to building a nation regardless of race or religion.
Image adapted from: @kinokuniya_singapore via Instagram
If you’re a history buff who’s passionate about local politics, you can get a physical copy of the Albatross File from Kinokuniya. The book, titled The Albatross File: Inside Separation, contains a thoroughly collated form of the Albatross File in a way that is digestible and cohesive.
You’ll not only be getting the Albatross File, but also extensive personal accounts from key political figures during the time, like Dr Goh Keng Swee and Late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. These stories provide a grounded “human context” to the events that unfolded, said Mr Janadas Devan in an interview with CNA Insider.
The main highlight of the exhibition is, of course, the titular Albatross File. You’ll get to see handwritten notes by Dr Goh and other Singaporean leaders, as well as memos detailing secret discussions between our founding fathers and Malaysian leaders.
Screenshot from: @joteo.ylm via Instagram
That memorable moment when Lee Kuan Yew broke down on national television is etched into all our minds – and the Albatross File exhibition adds even more context to the scene. Through a mix of archival footage and re-enactments, you’ll witness the tense moments between Singaporean and Malaysian leaders in the leadup to Separation.
Seeing these behind-the-scenes moments is key to understanding the immense pressures our founding fathers faced. It highlights just how monumental our origin story is, and the sacrifices that were made in shaping the Singapore we know today.
Screenshot from: @joteo.ylm via Instagram
At another part of the exhibition, you’ll get to hear the thoughts of the founding fathers in on Separation through some uncovered voice recordings – with opinions spanning a wide spectrum, both for and against it. You’ll get to hear from the likes of S. Rajaratnam, Toh Chin Chye, and Othman Wok.
Screenshot from: @joteo.ylm via Instagram
Then, there’s the Generative AI-powered chat bot that’ll answer any questions you have about the Albatross File. Unlike other AI programmes, this bot draws directly from material found in the National Library and National Archives of Singapore to provide accurate, referenced answers.
The Albatross File exhibition was launched earlier this week, and will be a permanent showcase on Level 10 of the National Library Building. It’ll be open daily from 10am to 9pm, but closed on public holidays as well as the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year.
Image credit: @nlbsingapore via Instagram
Yes, admission is free. All you have to do is visit the Albatross File exhibition website and pre-book a time slot. You can add up to 12 tickets under one booking for the “Public” category – which is the tier for individual bookings and private reservations.
If you have more than 12 people in your group, simply make an extra booking. For groups bigger than 25 people, you’ll have to select the “Organised Group” category.
Understanding Singapore’s history helps us appreciate just how far we’ve come. This December holidays, take some time to visit the exhibition and dive deeper into our nation’s journey.
Admission: Free
Time: 10am-9pm, Daily
Venue: Level 10, National Library Building
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Cover image adapted from: @kinokuniya_singapore & @joteo.ylm via Instagram
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