Our stop at Bukit Chandu, as the malay name suggests, was on a hill. Along Pasir Panjang, we had no clue that the memorial was located in such seclusion until our racist taxi driver made a left turn here.
What greeted us, when we finally conquered the winding road up the hill, were first signs that we had reached our destination! The stairs that led us up to the memorial had a spooky kind of charm to it, surrounded by greenery, we were entering a place where more than 60 years ago, Malay soldiers fought bravely to protect a hill that was center to a Malay Kampong Village.
Upon reaching the peak of the hill, and in a playful spirit that is bestowed on your average teacher-to-be, we posed with the with a group of iron cast statues outside the memorial. Being part of the Artillery formation back in the Army, I recognized the statues represented a mortar team which gave brought back a sense of nostalgia which psyched me up for further exploration.
The memorial, had 2 floors much like a colonial style bungalow with a pretty garden accompanying it. I later learned that the bungalow was actually an office for high ranking senior British Officers. Upon more reserach on the building I come to realise that the bungalow had a British "Mock Tudor" architectural influence which makes it so eye-catching. Along the main entrances were glass commemoratives where on them wrote the names of the Malay Regiment that fought valiantly.
Upon entrance, the friendly guide (who previously had a despairing expression, probably due to the fact that there were only three of us visiting the well air-conditioned white elephant of a memorial), told us we could take photos, only without flash (weird right?).
The first floor was dark but was lit in the appropriate places which emphasized the important aspects. Well layed-out and planned I must say. The depictions of the War first showed how the Malay Regiment soldiers prepared for War. Below are some images. Interesting is the crest; notice the donor of it. Mr. William Flowers. British? Subsequently I tried googling his name but nothing came out. Probably someone who went through the war or a historian. I mean who would recognise such a crest actually symbolised the Malay Regiment? It looks like any other crest. But perhaps, more simply a knowledgeable individual informed Mr. Flowers of it.
As we explored the rest of the first floor, it showed how the British fell to the Japanese with day-by-day entries leading up to the surrender.
Animation on a screen with commentary on the fall of Singapore. Impressive.
Japanese forces used bicycles to overcome the blown up causeway bridge. Bicycles were also excellent for warfare, especially on well paved roads.
Detailed also was the route and manner in which the Japanese overcome Pasir Panjang: there was a small scale artificial landscape molded to form the area of Pasir Panjang. This set came to live with videos imposed on the screen and along with it was a plot of a malay solider who going through the war at the time; being shelled by air crafts etc.
Second level. Clean. Bright. Provided a more detailed portrait of the Malay Regiment - weaponry, attire, quotes and even the personal background of some soldiers. What was interesting was also the fact that there were some weapons used by the Japanese; there was sort of a comparison of arms.
We also sat through what was called a 'sound of battle' depiction of life before and during the fierce fight that took place against the Japanese while defending the hill.
Center to all the pieces that were on display was this 'well'. Inside it were figurines and again a miniature landscape of the hill; it depicted the battle fought on the hill. Around the well were 4 stations with black phones and a reading which lit up once the receiver was lifted up. Each individual station related experiences of the war by different personalities.
What was peculiar was that one of the stations was that of Chia Chew Soo's memories. Though he was a survivor of the war, his testimony (much sad as it is) didnt really fit into the theme of the second level. The image that lit up at 'his' station was his drawing of an incident where Japanese raided a family and massacred them.
A view from upstairs of the pavilion downstairs. Serene. It had a calming effect on me. Called the pond of reflection.
The carpark, where 2 similar bungalows were. But they were demolished in 1987.
Opium Hill, Bukit Chandu or whatever we call it, certainly leaves an impression. I realise how much Sinagpore (the government) treasures her heroes based on the amount of work and money invested into the memorial. Singapore wants us to remember the blood that was shed, the price that was paid. Thats how it is depicted here anyways. Propaganda? I do not know.
The place tries to evoke emotions out of the individual (as it certainly did for me), it brings one away from all the hustle and bustle of the fast paced rat race we are in and winds back the clock. Probably it's the whole 'getaway' facade of the memorial; kept away and hidden, surrounded by the greens and up on a hill that puts one at ease to explore.
What greeted us, when we finally conquered the winding road up the hill, were first signs that we had reached our destination! The stairs that led us up to the memorial had a spooky kind of charm to it, surrounded by greenery, we were entering a place where more than 60 years ago, Malay soldiers fought bravely to protect a hill that was center to a Malay Kampong Village.
Upon reaching the peak of the hill, and in a playful spirit that is bestowed on your average teacher-to-be, we posed with the with a group of iron cast statues outside the memorial. Being part of the Artillery formation back in the Army, I recognized the statues represented a mortar team which gave brought back a sense of nostalgia which psyched me up for further exploration.
The memorial, had 2 floors much like a colonial style bungalow with a pretty garden accompanying it. I later learned that the bungalow was actually an office for high ranking senior British Officers. Upon more reserach on the building I come to realise that the bungalow had a British "Mock Tudor" architectural influence which makes it so eye-catching. Along the main entrances were glass commemoratives where on them wrote the names of the Malay Regiment that fought valiantly.
Upon entrance, the friendly guide (who previously had a despairing expression, probably due to the fact that there were only three of us visiting the well air-conditioned white elephant of a memorial), told us we could take photos, only without flash (weird right?).
The first floor was dark but was lit in the appropriate places which emphasized the important aspects. Well layed-out and planned I must say. The depictions of the War first showed how the Malay Regiment soldiers prepared for War. Below are some images. Interesting is the crest; notice the donor of it. Mr. William Flowers. British? Subsequently I tried googling his name but nothing came out. Probably someone who went through the war or a historian. I mean who would recognise such a crest actually symbolised the Malay Regiment? It looks like any other crest. But perhaps, more simply a knowledgeable individual informed Mr. Flowers of it.
As we explored the rest of the first floor, it showed how the British fell to the Japanese with day-by-day entries leading up to the surrender.
Animation on a screen with commentary on the fall of Singapore. Impressive.
Japanese forces used bicycles to overcome the blown up causeway bridge. Bicycles were also excellent for warfare, especially on well paved roads.
Detailed also was the route and manner in which the Japanese overcome Pasir Panjang: there was a small scale artificial landscape molded to form the area of Pasir Panjang. This set came to live with videos imposed on the screen and along with it was a plot of a malay solider who going through the war at the time; being shelled by air crafts etc.
Second level. Clean. Bright. Provided a more detailed portrait of the Malay Regiment - weaponry, attire, quotes and even the personal background of some soldiers. What was interesting was also the fact that there were some weapons used by the Japanese; there was sort of a comparison of arms.
We also sat through what was called a 'sound of battle' depiction of life before and during the fierce fight that took place against the Japanese while defending the hill.
Center to all the pieces that were on display was this 'well'. Inside it were figurines and again a miniature landscape of the hill; it depicted the battle fought on the hill. Around the well were 4 stations with black phones and a reading which lit up once the receiver was lifted up. Each individual station related experiences of the war by different personalities.
What was peculiar was that one of the stations was that of Chia Chew Soo's memories. Though he was a survivor of the war, his testimony (much sad as it is) didnt really fit into the theme of the second level. The image that lit up at 'his' station was his drawing of an incident where Japanese raided a family and massacred them.
A view from upstairs of the pavilion downstairs. Serene. It had a calming effect on me. Called the pond of reflection.
The carpark, where 2 similar bungalows were. But they were demolished in 1987.
Opium Hill, Bukit Chandu or whatever we call it, certainly leaves an impression. I realise how much Sinagpore (the government) treasures her heroes based on the amount of work and money invested into the memorial. Singapore wants us to remember the blood that was shed, the price that was paid. Thats how it is depicted here anyways. Propaganda? I do not know.The place tries to evoke emotions out of the individual (as it certainly did for me), it brings one away from all the hustle and bustle of the fast paced rat race we are in and winds back the clock. Probably it's the whole 'getaway' facade of the memorial; kept away and hidden, surrounded by the greens and up on a hill that puts one at ease to explore.
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