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Former Prime Minister will take to the radio on 9 August at 9am to recite Singapore’s Proclamation of Independence – through a message that was recorded with him years ago.
The Proclamation of Independence was signed in Mr Lee’s name, but the only time that the public got to hear it was on radio, when it was read by a radio broadcaster.
To bring him back to life, figuratively, to mark the momentous event, the People’s Association had three years ago gotten Mr Lee to agree to do a recording of himself reading the Proclamation.
“As a result, 50 years after it was issued, Singaporeans will be able to hear for the first time ever the man who signed the Proclamation read Singapore’s founding document,” the PA told media.
The recording will be played at grassroots-led National Day Observance Ceremonies (NDOCs) and over all local television and radio channels, which will be preceded by the sounding of sirens across Singapore.
The reading will be followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the reciting of the Pledge at the NDOCs.
Many of these NDOCs will also recreate the moment of the Proclamation through various kampung scenes to convey “the sights, sounds and activities of yesteryears”, the PA said.
More than 500,000 residents are expected to take part in the NDOC events at more than 200 locations island-wide.
The last paragraph of the Proclamation reads as follows:
“Now I, Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister of Singapore, do hearby proclaim and declare on behalf of the people and the Government of Singapore that as from today the ninth day of August in the year one thousand nine hundred and sixty-five Singapore shall forever be a sovereign democratic and independent nation, founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of her people in a more just and equal society.”
Adapted from media reports.