National Loyalty Week begins

National Loyalty Week took place between 3 and 10 December 1959. It commenced with the installation of Yusof

as the first Malayan-born Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Head of State) Yusof Ishak was officially appointed to the role by the Queen of England on 2 December 1959, to replace the incumbent Yang di-Pertuan Negara, Sir William Goode (Singapore: The encyclopedia, 2006, p. 605). Yusof’s formal installation brought the August 1958 constitution making Singapore a self-governing state into full operation. The week also marked the introduction of other symbols of national solidarity, spirit, and loyalty, such as the new national anthem, state flag and coat-of-arms (Singapore: Journey into nationhood, 1998, p. 44). Singapore was festively decorated  for the celebrations, which featured more than 700 shows, concerts, exhibitions, sports events and carnivals pulled together with the conjoined effort of the government and the public (Debates: Official Reports, 13 December 1959, Vol. 11, col. 1096). The government received support from hundreds of cultural bodies and associations, schoolchildren and teachers from all 505 schools (The Straits Times, 27 Nov 1959, p. 4), as well as more than 10,000 volunteers from the city council labour force that cleaned the city (The Straits Times, 22 Nov 1959, p. 5).

 

Creating a national identity

National Loyalty Week introduced the symbols of Singapore's nationhood in a consolidated fashion. The resulting strong message of a new national identity was intended to counter perceived obstacles to Singapore's self-governance. On 31 May 1959, Singapore's first state government came into power and the Cabinet was sworn in on 5 June. Though the state had been conferred with new powers of managing its own affairs, the general population, accustomed to subservience and dependence on colonial rulers, had yet to break out of its old mentality. Furthermore, post-war Singapore was stricken by economic and social problems such as housing shortages, unemployment and civil unrest. It was thus important for the new government to inculcate a sense of unity and loyalty to Singapore that also superseded ethnic identity (The Straits Times, 10 Dec 1959, p. 4).

 

State symbols

Soon after the government took office in June 1959, then Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye was tasked with leading a high-level government committee to establish the state symbols. For the national anthem, Toh envisioned a simple song that was written in Malay. He remembered a song, “Majulah Singapura” (Onward Singapore), which he felt was appropriate and could be adapted to become Singapore's national anthem. The song had been commissioned by the City Council for the reopening of Victoria Theatre in September 1958 and had been written by Sumatra-born composer Zubir Said (Singapore: The encyclopedia, 2006, p. 368). Toh requested that the composer make some changes to the lyrics and melody before its adoption by the Legislative Assembly as the national anthem (The Straits Times, 26 Oct 1959, p. 4).

 

The Radio Singapore Orchestra produced an official recording of the anthem. This was later replaced by an arrangement by the Berlin Chamber Orchestra. In 19 January 2001, a different arrangement by Cultural Medallion winner Phoon Yew Tien was produced (Turnbull, 2009, p. 191).

 

The committee also worked on the state flag and crest. Toh approached artist Joseph Teo to design the symbols. Opposition parties also cooperated in the design process, as the symbols expressed the sentiments of the people of Singapore as a whole rather than the aspirations of any particular political group (Singapore: Journey..., 1998, p. 44).

 

National Loyalty Week was first announced on 26 September 1959. The government stated that the event would usher in "a new era of statehood and self-determination in Singapore's history" (The Straits Times, 27 Sept 1959, p. 13). The event would be a mass activity to celebrate the installation of the first Malayan Yang di-Pertuan Negara. It was meant to encourage individuals to participate in and contribute to the state's affairs; and to unite disparate groups and communities as one Malayan community. The country's leaders intended to forge a Malayan identity among the population with ceremonies, rallies and cultural shows in order to strengthen the sense of community belonging (Debates: Official Reports, 13 December 1959, Vol. 11, col. 1096).

 

On 10 November 1959, it was announced that during National Loyalty Week, a new state flag would be unfurled and a national anthem sung for the first time (The Straits Times, 10 Nov 1959, p. 14). On 22 November, the National Theatre Fund was launched (The Straits Times, 21 Nov 1959, p. 16). Proceeds from performances during National Loyalty Week and the sale of L-Week souvenirs would go to the construction of a national theatre (The Straits Times, 17 Dec 1959, p. 4). After the fanfare was over, the theatre would stand as a permanent reminder of what National Loyalty Week stood for (The Straits Times, 21 Nov 1959, p. 16). The programme also featured Aneka Ragam Ra'ayat ("People's Variety Show" in Malay), an open-air cultural concert that rounded off the week's celebrations with a mammoth five-hour show. There was also Malam Kebudayaan ("Night of Culture" in Malay), a Malayan-themed show comprising dances, songs and dramas of the East and West (The Straits Times, 9 Dec 1959, p. 4). Publicity posters for the events, which went up on 22 November 1959, were printed in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil (The Straits Times, 26 Nov 1959, p. 4).

 

The introduction of Singapore's state arms, flag, and national anthem served this purpose of inculcating a sense of unity (The Singapore Free Press, 10 Dec 1959, p. 5). As S. Rajaratnam said in the Legislative Assembly session on 11 November 1959 when Singapore's current state arms, flag and national anthem were adopted, it is through such symbols that "a people acquire identity and a personality of their own". On that day, an ordinance to provide regulations for the use, display, and performance of these national symbols was read (Debates Official Reports, 11 November 1959, Vol. 11, col. 739). The bill was passed under a certificate of urgency on 25 November 1959 (Debates: Official Reports, 25 November 1959, Vol. 11, col. 765), and came into operation on 30 November 1959 (Supplement to the Laws of the State of Singapore, Ord. 70 of 1959, p. 392). This process was expedited to coincide with the installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara on 3 December 1959.

 

On 11 November 1959, the Parliament adopted a red-and-white state flag featuring a crescent moon and five stars. The colour red stands for the universal brotherhood and equality of man, while the colour white signifies purity and virtue. Combined, the two colours signify brotherhood and equality through purity and virtue. The crescent moon signifies an eternally young state. The five stars represent the five ideals on which the state of Singapore is founded – democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality (State Arms and Flag and National Anthem of Singapore, 1959). This flag was used to represent Singapore at international events and functions between 1963 and 1965, when Singapore was part of the Federation. It became the national flag when Singapore became an independent republic in August 1965 (Turnbull, 2009, p. 189). The crescent moon and five stars are also found on the state shield, which is flanked by a lion representing Singapore and a tiger representing Singapore's links with the people of the Federation of Malaya (Singapore: Journey..., 1998, p. 44).

 

In the days leading up to the event, Singapore bustled with activity. The new national anthem was taught in schools from 26 October (The Straits Times, 26 Oct 1959, p. 4). On 11 November, the music score and words of the anthem were made available at the General Post Office, together with publications containing the new state arms and flag. The new flag and anthem were to be presented at the installation ceremony for the new Yang di-Pertuan Negara. During the week, the public could also dial in on the telephone to listen to the new anthem. This service was immensely popular and had to be suspended at peak hours to avoid overloading the telephone system.

 

The first day of National Loyalty Week began with a mass rally at the Padang to celebrate the Yang di-Pertuan Negara’s installation (The Singapore Free Press, 22 Oct 1959, p. 5). Despite a drizzle, by 7:00 am, more than 10,000 had gathered at the Padang to attend the rally. The occasion opened with shouts of “Merdeka” (freedom) by youths dressed in white and carrying the state flag (The Singapore Free Press, 3 Dec 1959, p. 1). The installation at 10:00 am was followed by a 17-gun salute accompanying a march-past of approximately 25,000 people. The state flag was unfurled and the anthem played in full (The Straits Times, 3 Dec 1959, p. 1).

 

Throughout the week, there were displays such as musical and illuminated floats (The Straits Times, 18 Nov 1959, p. 9); water boats; fireworks (The Singapore Free Press, 3 Dec 1959, p. 7); a water carnival (The Straits Times, 7 Dec 1959, p. 1); exhibitions showcasing Singapore's photography and art; open houses and debates at institutes of learning (The Singapore Free Press, 30 Nov 1959, p. 1); a variety of sports events (The Singapore Free Press, 9 Nov 1959, p. 9); and star-studded multicultural shows including variety shows staged at Happy World stadium (The Singapore Free Press, 25 Nov 1959, p. 1). Various departments of the Singapore government also put up booths to educate the public on the work of each government division. Other programme highlights included special 30min flights arranged by Malayan Airways and 20min flights by the Flying Club that allowed passengers an aerial view of Singapore (The Straits Times, 6 Dec 1959, p. 5); lantern processions; lion and dragon dances; free joy rides for children at amusement parks; and free film screenings.

 

A sense of unity

Within Singapore, the event was met with support that transcended racial and religious differences, as all religious groups in Singapore arranged special prayers for the welfare and prosperity of the state on 4 December (The Singapore Free Press, 4 Dec 1959, p. 1). The week stirred up in the general population a new sense of unity and a new spirit of co-operation. It was believed that this spirit would continue and help create a united Malayan nation. On the first day of the week, congratulatory messages poured in from Malaysia's Prime Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman; the consuls general of France, the United States, Norway, and the Netherlands; the Governor of North Borneo; Jawaharlal Nehru, the Indian Prime Minister; and Sir Robert Black, Governor of Hong Kong and former Governor of Singapore. Visitors also streamed in from nearby Johore Bahru during the week of festivities (The Straits Times, 3 Dec 1959, p. 1).

 

Commemorating National Loyalty Week

The week ended with the ceremonial laying of the planned National Theatre’s cornerstone at its first proposed site at Kallang Park by the new Yang di-Pertuan Negara, Yusof Ishak. A plaque marking the National Theatre was engraved in Malay and Chinese with the words: "This is the site for the proposed National Theatre to be built in commemoration of National Loyalty Week" (The Straits Times, 10 Dec 1959, p. 4). By then, $130,000 of the targeted $500,000 had already been collected. It was later announced on 10 December that National Day would henceforth be celebrated on 3 June in order to commemorate the coming into force of the new constitution (The Singapore Free Press, 10 Dec 1959, p. 5). The site for the National Theatre was later changed from Kallang Park to the corner of Clemenceau Avenue and River Valley Road (The Straits Times, 20 Apr 1960, p. 5).

 

However, it was not all celebration. Before the event, the political party Singapore UMNO expressed misgivings about National Loyalty Week. According to UMNO's spokesperson, the party felt that such festivities would slow down the process of unifying the people (The Straits Times, 18 Nov 1959, p. 4). Stormy weather was also an issue: during the week of 4 December, a heavy downpour affected one night of the Malam Raksaksa Rakyat ("the Grand Tattoo" in Malay) (The Straits Times, 5 Dec 1959, p. 4). However, the Grand Tattoo, which featured mass drills, dances and other displays by Singapore's military, civil defence, police force and school children, was performed successfully on other nights of the week (The Singapore Free Press, 9 Dec 1959, p. 7).

 

National Loyalty Week was hailed as "the gayest and most memorable seven days in the history of Singapore" by The Straits Times. According to then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, it was "a memorable week full of joy, vitality and verve, in which the mass of the ordinary people demonstrated their jubilation at the new phase that the people have entered into and their determination to live together in peace and harmony, in tolerance and understanding of each other's differing cultures, ways of life and political views" (The Straits Times, 10 Dec 1959, p. 1). The many cultural performances and exhibitions put up during the week also displayed the nation’s wealth of artistic talent (The Straits Times, 6 Dec 1959, p. 1).

 

The event was originally estimated to cost $150,000 (The Straits Times, 8 Nov 1959, p. 1) but the amount was later revised to $175,000 (The Straits Times, 3 Dec 1959, p. 4). In addition to hosting a multitude of shows, funds also went into decorating the city. For an entire week, Singapore was dressed in lights, floats, flags, bunting and other decorations featuring the new state flag and crest (The Straits Times, 14 Nov 1959, p. 5). The bulk of the preparations fell to the Ministry of Culture. Its work was aided by the Ministry of Home Affairs who brought together Civil Defence; the Police Force; the military; the Ministry of Education which organised the participation of teachers and school children; and the Ministry of National Development which oversaw logistics and cleaning (The Singapore Free Press, 11 Dec 1959, p. 3). People from all walks of life were also enlisted in the planning, organisation and funding of the event (The Straits Times, 28 Nov 1959, p. 4). Voluntary organisations representing trade, industry, commerce, culture, newspapers and workers were invited to participate by putting up shows or exhibitions during the week (The Singapore Free Press, 8 Oct 1959, p. 7).

 

The National Theatre was eventually opened on 8 August 1963 at the corner of Clemenceau Avenue and River Valley Road. Like National Loyalty Week, the National Theatre was built through the consolidated efforts of people from all walks of life, and marked an important partnership between the government and the people of Singapore (The Straits Times, 22 Nov 1959, p. 7). The national anthem, flag and crest introduced during National Loyalty Week remain the symbols of Singapore's nationhood.

Sources

The information in this article is valid as at 2010 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

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Community and Social Services
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