Singapore is turning 54 this (2019) year but it was founded way before 1965. On August 9, 1945, Singapore was granted its independence after separating from Malaya (currently known as Malaysia).
Since then, Late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew became the founding father of modern Singapore. We can thank him for building Singapore’s kampong days to today’s metropolis.
Who is the true founder before him?
Many would say it’s Sir Stanford Raffles. They’re 40% correct. I mean, we have statues of him and streets, schools and a train station named after him.
Raffles made Singapore part of its British colony.
But William Farquhar built Singapore from a fishing village to a successful trading port. It’s never easy to introduce foreign leadership and culture as people dislike change. Where there is change, there is retaliation. And Farquhar did well to lead the people and build a flourishing settlement.
Through all his hard work, Raffles got most — if not, all — of the credit.
I’d say Raffles did the initial work and he was simply the face of Singapore. But the groundwork and hardship fell to Farquhar.
So, shouldn’t Farquhar be named the true founder of Singapore?
Well, there is one more founder that’s often missed out: Sang Nila Utama
Before Singapore was even named Singapore, it was known as Temasek.
Legend has it that in 1299, Sang Nila Utama, Prince of Palembang, named this small island, “Singapura” because he saw a lion when he first arrived. Singapura is a combination of Singa (Lion) and Pura (city).
How he came to Singapore is a pretty interesting story.
Long long ago, the Prince was hunting a stag. As he reached up a hill, he saw a beautiful small island with white, sandy beach. He set sail to the island but encountered a terrible storm. To safely navigate through the storm, he ordered his people to throw away all gold and heavy objects.
It didn’t work. The storm kept the waves crashing into them until his advisor suggested to throw his crown into the sea as an offering. As soon as he did it, the waves calmed. They were able to reach shore safely and continue hunting.
That’s when he saw this majestic, strange creature. When he asked his advisor what creature that was, he was told it’s a Singa (lion). And Singapura was born.
You should note that lions aren’t typically found in South East Asia so it probably wasn’t a lion that Sang Utama encountered. I’m thankful that his advisor said it’s a lion though. Singapore is a pretty cool, catchy name.
. . .
So, who founded Singapore?
Well, it depends on which Singapore you’re referring to. I believe all of them had important roles in building Singapore.
Without Sang Utama, the name Singapore might not have existed.
Without Raffles, the British wouldn’t have colonised Singapore. Without Farquhar, Singapore might not have evolved into a successful trading port.
And without late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore might not be the amazing, safe country with the top-notch living standard that it is today.
Now, the important question is: who is going to lead Singapore’s future? Do you have any idea? I’d love to know your thoughts.
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This post was previously published on One Table, One World and is republished here with permission from the author.
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Photo credit: Unsplash