Proclamation of Independence will be broadcasted nationwide on Aug 9

Proclamation of Independence will be broadcasted nationwide on Aug 9

SINGAPORE - On National Day, a recording of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's reading of the Proclamation of Independence will be broadcasted throughout the nation on all local TV and radio channels, the People's Association (PA) said in a media advisory on Friday.

At 9am on 9 August 2015, residents across Singapore will get the chance to re-experience our nation's moment of independence in 1965 as they listen to the recording. The broadcast will be preceded by the sounding of sirens across Singapore.

The late Mr Lee did not himself read the Proclamation that declared Singapore "shall forever be a sovereign democratic and independent nation" from that day forth. Though it was issued in Mr Lee's name, the Proclamation was read by an announcer over Radio Singapore. To make up for this lack, Mr Lee agreed 3 years ago to do a recording of himsef 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.

At the end of the reading of the Proclamation, the grassroots organisations (GROs) will lead residents at 82 NDOCs across the island in singing the National Anthem and reciting the Pledge as One Singapore.

More than 30 of the People's Association's (PA) corporate and community partners have also approached PA to organise their own NDOCs with PA's support. These include foodcourts and supermarket chains, to clan associations and business federations, as well as non-government, religious and voluntary welfare organisations.

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In total, more than 500,000 residents will participate in the NDOCs at over 200 locations islandwide.

Many of these NDOCs will recreate the moment of the Proclamation of Independence through various kampung scenes meant to recreate the "sights, sounds and activities of yesteryears", said PA.

Mr Ang Hak Seng, BBM, Chief Executive Director of PA said: "The Proclamation of Independence in 1965 marked the birth of our nation. The reading of this Proclamation by our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew will remind us of the core values that our pioneers embodied, such as community resilience, racial harmony, determination to overcome the odds and placing community above self.

"Our young grassroots volunteers shared that these values have brought Singapore to where we are today, and can continue to inspire their fellow youths as they take Singapore on our first step towards SG100. This is why many of the GROs are recreating the 1965 moment and nostalgic backdrops at the NDOCs this year. We encourage all residents to join us at the NDOCs to experience these first-hand."

All households will receive a Proclamation of Independence Card in their SG Funpacks, which will carry the text of the reading that residents will hear across the nation on National Day.

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