Merdeka Memories

Born in 1956, the multi-talented Dick Lee has been a model agent, event manager, fashion designer and creative director. However, he is best known for being one of Singapore’s most prolific singer-songwriters. Dick Lee explains how he defied the odds to achieve success at a time when there was little appreciation for local musicians. To discover more Singaporean music and artists such as Dick Lee, visit www.hear65.com. Hear65 is a national movement to promote Singaporean artists and music, and is an initiative by the National Arts Council, proudly produced by Bandwagon.

Born in 1954, Lim Li Kok hails from a family of intellectuals who founded the Bedok Chong Wah Public School in 1946. She describes the events that led to her decision to publish illustrated books and comics on Asian culture in the 1980s.

Born in 1951, Abd Rahman Khan Gulap Khan is a former police officer. He describes some of the memorable cases he encountered as he worked his way up to becoming a homicide detective with the Criminal Investigation Department in the 1970s. Besides getting shot on the job, he also dealt with the aftermath of the Spyros tanker explosion in October 1978.        

Born in 1957, Jacintha Abisheganaden dominated the theatre scene in the 1980s, and was a familiar face on TV and radio in the 1990s and early 2000s. She describes how she has helped to develop Singapore’s arts scene, and how her experiences have influenced her as a jazz singer. This interview with Jacintha Abisheganaden was conducted in partnership with Hear65. Hear65 is a national movement to promote Singaporean artists and music, and is an initiative by the National Arts Council which is proudly produced by Bandwagon. Find out more at www.hear65.com

Born in 1955, Gregory Loh retired from his hi-fi business after the Asian Financial Crisis and technological advances made it difficult for him to continue. However, his humility, hard work and strong sense of community have led him to success in a very different field.

Born in 1959, Mel Ferdinands is best known for being a member of one of Singapore’s top bands, Gypsy, in the 1980s. He achieved early success at the age of 12 after performing with his younger brother Joe on Talentime in 1971. However, pursuing a professional music career was fraught with challenges in the 1980s, amid shifts in Singapore’s nightlife scene. To discover more Singaporean music and artists such as Mel Ferdinands, visit www.hear65.com. Hear65 is a national movement to promote Singaporean artists and music, and is an initiative by the National Arts Council, proudly produced by Bandwagon.

Born in 1951, award-winning author Josephine Chia recounts her experiences growing up in Kampong Potong Pasir from the 1950s to the 1970s, which mirrored the development of Singapore.

Born in 1959, Robert Fernando possesses a voice that has earned him comparisons with powerhouse crooners James Ingram and Luther Vandross. Even so, Robert Fernando explains why singing has always been just a hobby.  

Born in 1953 and a dedicated member of the Singapore Red Cross since boyhood, David Yeo had his skills put to the test when the Hotel New World collapsed on 15 March 1986.

Denise Phua is the President of the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency and Mayor of Central Singapore District. Born in 1959, she enjoyed a successful corporate career that spanned two decades. However, she gave it all up after her son was diagnosed with autism in the late 1990s. Find out why she chose to take on the challenge of starting a pioneering school for children with autism in Singapore.

Born in 1956, Susan Ng has been a familiar face and voice in Singapore’s media industry for more than 40 years. She explains how she has managed to keep up in an ever-evolving industry.

Born in 1958, Mrs Chua Yen Ching knew from an early age that teaching was her calling. She describes the challenges she faced as the Principal of NorthLight School – a specialised school for the less academically inclined – and explains how Singapore’s education system is evolving to ensure that there are many paths to success.

Born in 1957, cultural medallion winner and internationally acclaimed violinist Lynnette Seah has been with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since its inception in 1978. She describes the rigorous training she underwent in her youth, and how her love of her childhood neighbourhood, Tiong Bahru, has come full circle as she faces retirement. To discover more Singaporean music and artists such as Lynnette Seah, visit www.hear65.com. Hear65 is a national movement to promote Singaporean artists and music, and is an initiative by the National Arts Council, proudly produced by Bandwagon.

Prof Venkataraman Anantharaman is a Senior Consultant from the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Singapore General Hospital. Born in 1951, he has more than 40 years of experience as a medical practitioner. He describes how he and his team rendered assistance to the hijacked Singapore Airlines flight 117 in 1991, and coped with the SARS outbreak in 2003.

Born in 1955 and raised in a family of celebrities, Rahimah Rahim became a child star at the age of 6. Although she won the prestigious Kimi Koso Talentime in Japan in 1974, she had to reject the recording contract that came with it. She describes how she met her first husband, national footballer Mohammad Noh Hussein, and explains why she has not had a Hollywood ending despite releasing a dozen albums. To discover more Singaporean music and artists such as Rahimah Rahim, visit www.hear65.com. Hear65 is a national movement to promote Singaporean artists and music, and is an initiative by the National Arts Council, proudly produced by Bandwagon.