The Historyogi Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dhevarajan Devadas
An accompanying podcast to The Historyogi Post, a newsletter on history and politics in Singapore for researchers, history buffs and the general public.
Singapore’s short film industry is a small but vibrant one. With limited budgets, filmmakers aim to spotlight events and issues that rarely surface in more mainstream platforms. One such filmmaker is Leon Cheo, who has directed short films that focus on Singapore’s history. Today, we speak to Leon about his films Two is Enough (about the Stop at Two population control campaign in the 1970s) and 302 (about gay servicemen in the army in the mid-2000s). We also discuss the challenges in finding props and locations that accurately depict the past in a highly modernised city like Singapore.
Most of us are familiar with famous intelligence agencies such as the American CIA, the British MI6 and Israel’s Mossad. But did you know Singapore has its own spy agency known as the Security and Intelligence Division (SID)? Its first chief was Tay Seow Huah, who helped build Singapore’s early intelligence capabilities during the height of the Cold War and was involved in handling the Laju terrorist incident. Today, we speak to his son Dr Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, about his new book, Enigmas, which describes his father’s life and unusual career.
The Singapore Heritage Fest this year celebrates our nation's rich built heritage. One of the most striking examples of this are the public housing estates which dominate Singapore’s urban landscape. How did we remake the island’s colonial era urban spaces into Singapore’s earliest HDB estates? How did rehousing Singaporeans change our lifestyles and hopes for the future? What does the kampong spirit mean when we think about the past? To answer these questions, we speak to Dr Loh Kah Seng, author of the book Squatters into Citizens. In this special episode, let’s learn about the history of public housing and urban redevelopment in Singapore.
Please note that the map referenced in this episode can be found here.
When we study and discuss history in Singapore, we usually focus on the social and political history of this country. However, the people’s relationship with this island’s natural environment also tells a rich story of its own. Today, we speak to Associate Professor Timothy Barnard from the National University of Singapore about his new edited book, Singaporean Creatures. We discuss environmental history during the colonial era from his previous book and how early national development policies regulated and restructured Singapore’s relationship with animals.
When we think about the history of Indians in British Malaya, their work in the rubber estates usually comes to mind first. But Indians also helped construct, operate and maintain the Malayan Railways that stretched across the peninsula and connected Singapore as well. Along with the tracks came numerous Hindu temples and shrines that shaped Malaya’s religious landscape. Today, we speak to Professor Vineeta Sinha from the National University of Singapore about her new book Temple Tracks. We discuss the history of Indian labourers in the Malayan Railways, their role in religion-making via temple construction, and how these railway temple stories symbolise the contributions of Indians in developing colonial Malaya and independent Malaysia.
When we think about Southeast Asia during the Cold War, we usually think just about Indochina and the Vietnam War. But British counterinsurgency strategies and engagement with nationalist elites in Malaya and Singapore also influenced America’s anti-communist policies in the region. Today, we speak to Associate Professor Ngoei Wen-Qing from the Singapore Management University about his book Arc of Containment. We discuss why Britain and America shared ideas on containing communist threats in Southeast Asia and how Singapore and Malaya managed the transition from British imperialism to American hegemony during the Cold War.
Before he was President of Singapore, Yusof Ishak was the Yang di-Pertuan Negara which directly translates to “He Who is Made Lord”. Singaporeans generally know little about this role, other than it was the predecessor of the current presidency and a symbol of self-government. But in fact, the British, Federation of Malaya, and Singapore leaders all actively struggled to define the Yang di-Pertuan Negara’s powers and symbolism so that the office would align with their political vision for the island. Today, we speak to Muhammad Suhail, a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge, who has authored a new book on the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. We discuss the intense debate over Singapore’s future constitutional arrangements in the 1950s, the British desire to keep effective control over Singapore, Malaya’s fears of communist influence, and Singapore’s demand for a public symbol of true autonomy.
NTUC FairPrice is such a household icon in Singapore that it’s more famous than the union movement itself. But how did NTUC come to operate a supermarket chain in the first place? Today, we speak to Sue-Ann Chia, co-editor of a new book titled “The Price of Being Fair” which chronicles FairPrice’s 50 years in business. We discuss FairPrice’s beginnings during heavy inflation, the pivotal decisions and costly mistakes it made, the supermarket wars, and its crucial role in national supply chain resilience.
In 1996, an Ang Moh arrived in Toa Payoh to start a new life. He loved Singapore’s idiosyncrasies so much that he decided to turn his humorous observations of everyday life here into a series of books. Today, we speak to Neil Humphreys, author of Notes From An Even Smaller Island (2001) and numerous other titles, about his take on 1990s Singapore, kiasu behaviour, colonial history and what he considers most unique about this little island.
Long before Pink Dot and the repeal of Section 377A, Singapore had a colourful Queer history of recreation, repression, and resistance during the 20th century. Today, we speak to Roy Tan, a veteran activist and archivist who founded the Singapore LGBT Encyclopedia Wiki. We discuss the history of activism, AIDS, gay bars, entrapment operations, media portrayals and early advances in transgender rights. Please note that this episode contains mentions of suicide and historical terms that may be offensive now.
Looking at Singapore’s football scene today, it is hard to imagine that we once enjoyed a golden age in football. But we did enjoy that golden age. The man often credited for nurturing it is Choo Seng Quee. Also known as Uncle Choo, he coached the Singapore national team to victory at the iconic 1977 Malaysia Cup final. Today, we speak to Reynold Pereira, author of a new book on Uncle Choo, about the legendary coach’s philosophy and how he shaped some of Singapore’s best football players.
The physical shopping mall is increasingly seen as out of date with the rise of online shopping. However, shopping malls were once considered major symbols of Singapore’s rapid modernisation. They became homes to youth culture, video arcades and even artistic protest. Today, we speak to Assistant Professor Liew Kai Khiun from Hong Kong Metropolitan University about his edited book “The Singapore Mall Generation”.
Singapore is a city renowned for its reputation as a stern, conservative environment. But history reveals a more colourful past, where queer people carved out spaces for their own voices despite overwhelming discrimination. Today, we speak to Isaac Tng, who has curated a walking tour exploring Singapore’s LGBT past, and discuss the significance of learning that history.
Sign up for the walking tour here.
Raffles Institution celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2023. The school is more than an institution, weaving itself into Singapore’s history through the decades. Nowhere is this documented better than in The Rafflesian, which has been the official school magazine since 1886, and many other student publications. Today, we speak to Theophilus Kwek and Lara Tan about 135 years of student writing they have helped curate in the new anthology titled “Some Dreams From Now”.
Generations of Singapore students will remember going on learning journeys to the Kranji War Memorial. But few of us know why it's in Kranji in the first place or how its design came about. Today, we speak to Athanasios Tsakonas, an Australian architect, who has researched the history of Kranji War Memorial’s construction and its perception by various groups in Singapore and abroad.
Large numbers of Chinese men arrived in colonial Singapore to do domestic work in European households. They often worked under the supervision of white women who managed the households while their husbands took care of official business. Other Chinese men joined the local sex trade, servicing male European clients. Today, we speak to Aydin Quach, a graduate student from the University of British Columbia, on how gender, sexuality and power dynamics functioned in colonial Singapore society.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, no Chinese community in Southeast Asia was more vigilant in identifying and rooting out suspected communists, and committed to mobilising against the People's Republic of China as the Philippine Chinese. Today, we speak to Assistant Professor Chien-Wen Kung from the National University of Singapore, about his new book, Diasporic Cold Warriors. He argues for a networked and transnational understanding of the ROC-KMT party-state and demonstrates that Taipei exercised a form of non territorial sovereignty over the Philippine Chinese with Manila's participation and consent.
Building opposition pre-electoral alliances significantly enhances the chances of opposition victory against dominant incumbent autocrats. But opposition parties, including in Singapore, frequently find it difficult to make the costly compromises necessary for inter-party cooperation. When and how do opposition parties build pre-electoral alliances? Today, we speak to Assistant Professor Elvin Ong from the National University of Singapore, about his new book Opposing Power: Building Opposition Alliances in Electoral Autocracies.
Venerable Hong Choon may not be a familiar name to many younger Singaporeans. But the former President of the Singapore Buddhist Federation played an important role in diplomacy between Singapore and the People’s Republic of China in the 1980s. Today, we speak to Assistant Professor Jack Chia from the National University of Singapore, on Venerable Hong Choon’s diplomatic legacy as well as the history of Buddhist advocacy in Singapore.
Singapore’s pioneer generation of political leaders, known as the Old Guard, are well known in our history. However, the civil servants who oversaw the implementation of policies and projects during that era have largely been forgotten. In fact, eight individuals were so influential they were known as the eight immortals: George Bogaars, Andrew Chew, Hon Sui Sen, Howe Yoon Chong, Lee Ek Tieng, Ngiam Tong Dow, JY Pillay and Sim Kee Boon. Today, we speak to Peh Shing Huei, editor of the book The Last Fools: The Eight Immortals of Lee Kuan Yew on their stories & lessons for civil servants today.
The political story of Singapore’s industrialisation is well-known, including the role of Jurong Industrial Estate and Dr Goh Keng Swee. However, the stories of the Singaporeans who worked in these factories have rarely been discussed in detail until now. Today, we speak to Dr Loh Kah Seng, co-author of the book Theatres of Memory: Industrial Heritage Of 20th Century Singapore, on who worked in Singapore’s early factories, what the workplace environment was like, and the important role of technical education in creating a qualified workforce.
Hindutva, the predominant form of Hindu nationalism in India, has emerged as a powerful and polarising force. Hindutva aims to ultimately transform India from a secular republic into a Hindu state. Since the election of Narendra Modi in 2014, followers of Hindutva have become bolder in targeting minorities and critics with intimidation and violence. These tensions have also affected the global Indian diaspora. Today, we speak to Mohan Dutta, Dean’s Chair Professor of Communication, and Director of the Centre for Culture-Centred Approach to Research & Evaluation (CARE) at Massey University, on the reasons behind Hindutva’s surge in prominence and what this means for Indians who defend secular values and religious pluralism.
A series of racist incidents took place in Singapore last year, raising questions about how we should tackle such issues more decisively. Opinions are split on whether there should be more dialogue or whether culprits should face stiffer legal penalties. Today, we speak to Nazhath Faheema, Founder and President of hash.peace, a social harmony advocacy group, on whether dialogues are still relevant and how groups with sharply differing views can engage each other more productively.
In September this year, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia announced the AUKUS security pact, which includes an agreement to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. This development has been both welcomed and criticised by countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Today, we speak to Dr Euan Graham, Senior Fellow for Asia Pacific Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, on what’s the rationale for AUKUS, the reactions of China and ASEAN nations, and what AUKUS means for Singapore.
The rise of an increasingly affluent and assertive China is dramatically changing our strategic environment. As a Chinese majority country, Singapore’s ties with China have special significance. Today, we speak to Sense Hofstede, a PhD candidate in Comparative Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, on the complex history of the local Chinese community’s ties with China and its interests, Singapore’s Mandarin media coverage of China, and potential risks for Singapore from the US-China strategic rivalry.
Oral history is an increasingly popular method of recording the experiences of groups that may be left out of official documented archives or from national narratives. Today, we speak to Hannah, founder of the Singapore Queer Oral History Archive (Link), on why she has embarked on this project to collect the stories of Singapore’s LGBT community and how she hopes these stories will be used.
Lee Kin Mun, better known as mrbrown, is known as the Blogfather of Singapore and has become a cultural icon with his skits and witty takes on life here. Today, we speak to mrbrown on his beginnings, reactions to his memorable bak chor mee podcast and newspaper column, his creative process, and his endurance as an influencer for more than two decades. Listen also to a special message from Kim Huat.
Singapore has recently seen a surge in discussions on racial discrimination after several troubling incidents, including physical attacks. Today, we speak to Sharvesh, co-founder of the Instagram account @minorityvoices, on what the spike in discussions about racism means, whether it is valid to criticise anti-racism advocacy as “importing Western influence”, and how the majority can meaningfully engage in fighting racism and discrimination.
Singapore Press Holdings recently announced major structural changes to its media business, which has suffered losses for many years. Today, we speak to Professor Cherian George, a media scholar from Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Communication, on the history of Singapore’s media regulation, the application of “calibrated coercion” by the state, whether social media can ever be a true replacement, and the price Singaporeans have to pay for the state’s media policies.
The ongoing pandemic has caused a wave of death, grief and mourning across the world. But even before Covid-19, Singapore has been dealing with how best to support an ageing population as our seniors gradually pass on. Today, we speak to Bernard Chen, who previously worked in the funeral industry and has written extensively about bereavement issues, on what reforms are needed in the local funeral services profession, how we can facilitate conversations around death and feelings of loss, and why he thinks younger people should also be equipped with knowledge on preparing for death. Please note that this episode contains references to suicide.
The Substation, an independent arts venue at Armenian Street, recently announced its impending closure to much dismay after operating for 31 years. Today, we speak to Mr T Sasitharan, Cultural Medallion winner and former Artistic Director of the Substation, on the Substation’s history and significance. We also discuss what needs to change in the state’s approach to the arts, and whether Singapore has a place for art that makes one uncomfortable.
The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) turn 50 this year. However, the FPDA, which brings together Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, is little known by the public and even by non-defence officials. Today, we speak to Dr Euan Graham, Senior Fellow for Asia Pacific Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, on the FPDA’s history, its relevance to the defence interests of member countries, and the challenges it faces given the rapid changes to the region’s strategic environment.
AIDS is an illness that still carries social stigma and moral indignation. The situation was especially worse during the 1980s and 1990s when most patients died painful deaths and moral panic influenced public rejection of those from marginalised communities. Today, we speak to Professor Roy Chan, President of Action for AIDS, on the early fight against AIDS in Singapore, its impact on the gay community, how things have changed since then, and what Singapore still needs to do to decisively defeat the disease.
The South China Sea dispute has gained increasing prominence in recent years, with China being especially aggressive with its claims. Today, we speak to Dr Collin Koh, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, on some basic questions about the dispute. We discuss its history, the significance of the nine-dash line, the actions of various claimant states as well as the United States, ASEAN’s lack of unity, the feasibility of a code of conduct, the role of Chinese fishing fleets, and the stakes for a non-claimant state like Singapore.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to confront the ugly history of colonialism. In particular, activists have targeted enduring symbols of colonialists & slave traders, such as place names and statues. In Singapore, discussion has centred around the problematic history of Sir Stamford Raffles. Today, we speak to Faris Joraimi, a co-editor of the book “Raffles Renounced: Towards a Merdeka History” on how we should view the legacy of Raffles as well as Singapore’s history as part of the Malay world.
As Singapore and the rest of the world battle the covid 19 pandemic, the history of infectious diseases provides some lessons on how their spread is affected by social and cultural factors, and cannot be resolved with purely medical responses. Today, we speak to historian Dr Loh Kah Seng and Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases expert, on their book “Tuberculosis – The Singapore Experience, 1867–2018, Disease, Society and the State”.
In 2015, the graphic novel The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye captured public attention when its grant was withdrawn by the National Arts Council. Despite this, the book gained widespread critical acclaim both locally and internationally for its creative take on Singapore’s history. Today, we speak to its author Sonny Liew on his research process and whether the book sparked the right kind of debate over Singapore’s history.