I is a long memoried Singapore Malay woman.

Today, the 9th of August, we celebrate Singapore National Day. It marks the point which Malaya became separated into Malaysia and Singapura, back in 1965, after being liberated from British rule some years earlier.

We are a very young nation that has seen incredible change over the past few decades. Developments that would have taken other nations centuries. Even now, every year I come back there is always something new. People generally don’t care about the past, what has been. It’s all about progress, progress, development, moving on, what is more economically viable. Singaporeans are generally pragmatic and practical.

As a teenager, I left Singapore because I felt it was stifling. I have always said that I came to the UK to be a rockstar. That makes people laugh, or get intrigued. But the longer I’m away, the more I’m convinced that this way, I am closer to what Singapore was. What Singapore means to me. The Singapore I knew, the stories of Singapore my mother used to tell, are long gone. From a distance I can rediscover and relive. Right now I live in an apartment block in Hoxton, London that reminds me of a HDB block from 30 years ago. I can listen to old Malay songs on Spotify on the tube, watch films on Youtube. I cook spicy food all the time. I can write and do what feels true. When I speak to young Singaporean students studying here, they are very amused that I still use colloquial Malay terms that have gone out of fashion years ago. And, I would never ever give up my Singaporean citizenship. From a distance, I’m figuring out the future.

That said, over the years of returning to Singapore as a visitor, I can see that the Singapore I ‘hated’ also no longer exists. It seems like there is more room for creativity as a young person, more room to breathe. I see talent shows and open-air/street shows everywhere. They are pumping money into arts and culture and there are more avenues to perform and to study. Unfortunately I also hear a lot of disillusionment, and many complaints still, but to the external eye the establishment are certainly trying, more so than when I left. Every country has its pros and cons and I think the best way is to appreciate what you have. If there is something you really want to do, you shouldn’t let geography and the politics of the land be an excuse not to achieve your goal.

As I watch the National Day Parade online, there are some gems like the talking Merlion, which really made me laugh :). For a young country, I think it’s important to have annual reaffirmations as these, seeing young talent, the creativity and immense energy and work put into these things. The wholesome and fun, positive vibe. If we overlook the propaganda and moments when it seems as if history is being rewritten, there is a message behind it of solidarity that we must not take for granted. It is so easy to be attracted to the lure of controversy, ‘edge’ and individualism… but we all know, united we stand, divided we fall. To build something long-lasting, a pick and mix strategy does not make for a strong foundation. Much like to accept yourself you have to accept yourself wholesale, strengths and flaws. With truth in your vision, there is no need for compromise.

Anyway…

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju, bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura

Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura!
Majulah Singapura!