Singapore’s ‘Majulah Singapura’ (Onward Singapore) national anthem is being updated as part of the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the country’s national symbols.
The new rendition will be done by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, said the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu on the sidelines of the One Community Fiesta carnival at Jurong Lake Gardens on Sunday (1 December).
The new version will be revealed on Tuesday (3 December) as part of the ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the anthem, state crest and flag.
This is the first time the national anthem is receiving an update since the current version was recorded 18 years ago in 2001 which was arranged by composer Cultural Medallian winner Mr Phoon Tew Tien. The new rendition will follow the 2001 arrangement.
The original anthem was composed by the late Zubir Said in 1958 before being adapted slightly in 1959 after the country attained self-governance. It was introduced as Singapore’s National Anthem on 3 December 1959.
This was an important moment for Singapore as a young nation, said Ms Fu, noting that the symbols form the anchor of the country’s national identity.
She said, “I think 60 years on, Singaporeans are wearing the flag proudly. They are singing the Anthem proudly.”
“Right now, our Team Singapore athletes are wearing the flag on their sleeves, proudly representing Singapore, and if they win, they will be on the podium and the National Anthem will be played,” she added, referring to the SEA Games in Manila.
“Listening to the Anthem, whether you’re in Singapore or when you’re overseas, brings along the emotions of being one with one another and with the country.”
Speaking to The Straits Times, 76-year-old Lee Yuen Mei who resides in Bukit Batok East said that the current rendition of the national anthem brings back memories of her youth, adding that she hopes the new version will not differ too much.
Netizens were more vocal about their disagreement with this move. Comments on AsiaOne’s Facebook page were filled with people who questioned the need for a new version of the national anthem and lamented the loss of Singaporean identity and legacy:


Others wondered if the money spent on coming up with a new rendition would be better spent on more important things, while one person questioned how changing the anthem would help make lives better:

 


However, there were a couple of people who pointed out that the lyrics of the anthem will say the same and that it’s only the rendition that’s new. One person highlighted that there have been many renditions of the national anthem. The other netizen also noted that it’s just the music that will be different, but conceded that it is “not really necessary to pay for such extra thing”.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

WHO recommends avoiding the use of Ibuprofen for Covid-19 Symptoms

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that those who are exhibiting symptoms…

获陆交局点头 Moov正式经营一万脚车共享服务

陆路交通管理局于周一(10月14日)宣布,共享脚车业者Moov Technology(简称Moov)已原则上获准,提升之前持有的沙盒许可证为正式执照,在我国运营一万辆脚车车队。 陆交局昨日在官网上发布消息,指Moov之前的沙盒许可证只允许该公司,在一年内运营1000辆脚车,而正式执照除了让该公司经营一万辆共享脚车之外,其运营期限也定为两年。 Moov业者表示,他打算将营运范围扩展至新加坡西部以外的地区,以便能在2020年首季度为民众提供一万辆共享脚车服务。 其首席营运官孟繁星指出,“我们感谢陆交局的决定,并致力于继续与当局、社区和用户合作,为民众提供绿色共享通勤方案”。 陆交局为共享脚车业者设定了数项条件,包括设置二维码停车系统,确保用户在指定的区域内停车。 当局昨日指出,自二维码停车系统于今年1月实施后,用户胡乱停车的车程已从总车程中的44巴仙,降低到13巴仙。 根据新系统限制,用户将脚车停放在指定的停放区前,先扫描二维码,就会停止收费。用户若无法遵守限制,将会被罚款五元;一年内违规三次或以上者,将被禁止使用有关服务长达一个月,禁令期限会随着违规次数而延长。 我国目前有三家持有正式执照的共享脚车业者,即Moov、随行单车(Anywheel)和SG Bike。和Moov一样,Anywheel同样经营一万辆脚车。 SG Bike则因为接管摩拜(Mobike)营业执照,因此经营2万5000辆脚车,是我国最大的共享脚车车队。…

"Foreign interference" narrative "a time tested tactic" preceding clampdowns by PAP govt: Function 8

The “foreign interference” narrative is “a time tested tactic” allegedly utilised by…

友谊小船”说翻就翻“? 军事评论:新马上月才军演 两国部队情谊乃多年经营成果

军事评论部落客David Boey呼吁国人,在近期新马陷入边界争议的事件上,要学会分辨领袖们真实政治和政治修辞(即讲官话)的差别,并指出新马两国武装部队上个月才一同举行军演,两国部队长期以来,就已建立深厚友谊。 在新马边界争议上,我国一些政治领袖展现强硬态度,例如我国贸工部长陈振声就指出马来西亚政府船只入侵新国海域不合法,也不合理,而如今紧张的局势导致“檫枪走火的可能性不能低估”。 但是,David Boey在个人军事评论部落客《稍息》(Senang Diri)中指出,直到近期,马国武装部队(ATM)和新加坡武装部队(SAF)都维持着长期合作关系,两国军人借着一系列专业军事或非正式平台,了解彼此。 然而,新马双边武装部队原本经营的友谊,因新马边界争议,如同遭遇晴天霹雳,而黯然失色。 新马上月联合军演 David Boey在文中提醒,两国军人,才刚在上月26日至本月3日,“马来坡拉”双边演习才成功举行,600名来自马国和我国的海俊人员一同策划、演练了对应马六甲海峡海上安全,从战舰、直升机到战机的海上作战部署和行动。 而在11月18日至28日,新马合计980名军人,参与了在柔佛居銮举办的第24届的“团结精神”(Semangat Bersatu)…