6. Reflections at Bukit Chandu

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Opened on 15 February 2002, Reflections at Bukit Chandu, which was developed by the National Archives of Singapore, showcases the World War II interpretations of the Malay Regiment who fought the Battle for Pasir Panjang, one of the fiercest battles in Singapore. The Malay Regiment located at Pasir Panjang Ridge was one of the unites that stood firm and endured when all other fronts were collapsing in the face of uncompromising and ruthless Japanese attacks.

This museum is maintained to commemorate the sacrifice, gallantry and heroism of those men. The restored colonial bungalow was used by the British to store ammunition during the war. This museum hopes to lead its visitors to explore their connections to the past, nation, identity and how an individual interprets sacrifice.

The Japanese invasion of Singapore began on 8 February 1942. The Japanese rapidly progressed and moved from Kranji to Pasir Panjang, the Town and the Port. The Battle for Pasir Panjang was fought on Opium Hill, the location of opium processing factory. Bukit Chandu was in a key position and the battle could be considered as the final defence line of Singapore.

We spent few moments to explore the frontage of the bungalow before entering the museum. Around the exterior of the bungalow, there are tempered glass plaques imprinted with the names of the 159 officers and men of the Malay Regiment (6 British officers, 7 Malay officers and 146 other ranks) who were sacrificed in the battle. The museum pays tribute and honour to the heroism of 'C' Company and 1st Battalion in their battles against the Japanese at Bukit Chandu.

As I entered the museum, I was extremely fascinated with the mix of both static and high-tech displays that provide us visitors an in-depth and comprehensive look of the capture of the battle. 

Galleries I, II and III are located on the first level. Whereas Galleries IV, V and VI are located on the second level.

Gallery I provides the historical context of the battle in relation to other battles fought during the invasion. It is through the write-ups and exhibits that portray the interpretations and traditions of the Malay Regiment.

Gallery II provides the features of the Battle of Singapore. It is through an interactive map display that used both graphics and visuals of the various battles. It is shown on a glass pane, set against a miniature map of 1942 Singapore as you can see in the below picture. You may select the various battles of World War II fought in Singapore such as The Battle of Kranji. 

It was worth watching! Not only it is educational as I would say that it captures the main ideas, but also it engages you to wanting to discover more about the past that shapes our nation as what we are now.

Gallery III provides an experience for visitors to appreciate the sense of duty and honor of the Malay Regiment. It is through the multimedia presentation that you can view. Through a pillbox replica, over a miniature diorama of Bukit Chandu, you will learn about the Malay Regiment as this is presented in a re-enactment.

I am sure you will too be drawn into emotions of that fateful day as you watch those men bravely and heroically charge the enemy line despite many challenges and limitations. According to LG Percival in his tribute towards the Malay Regiment, he commented that those young and inexperienced soldiers were the best troops in Malaya as they model dedication, loyalty and endurance which will become an impressive custom in the Regiment and motivation for future generations.

Maps, documents and photographs were displayed to further elaborates on the events that took place. These were supplemented with acquisitions from the Australian Archives and Britain's Imperial War Museum.

You will also get the opportunity to look at the weapons that were used during the invasion, such as the Vickers Mark 1 machine gun and military equipment, that were sourced from overseas dealers and collectors.

Gallery IV provides the highlights of the heroism of Malay Regime. It is through the accounts of witnesses that are reflected and etched into glass panels against many windows of the gallery.

On the second floor, you will enter the "Windows of Memories". Do look out for the bronze statue of Lieutenant Adnan Saidi. Both he and his 'C' Company built a defensive wall and the Japanese could not penetrate the perimeter. The defence wall wall was reinforced with sand bags. 

The Japanese resorted to impersonation and deception! Several of them disguised themselves as Punjabi (Sikh) soldiers and marched towards the hill. Adnan was too observant to be deceived and opened fire, resulted to twenty of them killed and the rest retreated.

Despite the Japanese made their final offensive attack, Adnan and his men refused to surrender. Despite running short of ammunition and supplies and were outnumbered, they continued defending and fought to the last man. Adnan's motto for his platoon: "death before honour". 

More than being just a museum or memorial, you will get an opportunity to witness the interviews, works and memorabilia from surviving family members of the soldiers and people who lived around Pasir Panjang during the invasion.

Do look out for the simple army-issued tin mug that belonged to Lieutenant Ibrahim Sidek. He was executed by his Japanese captors as he refused to remove his uniform. As you can see in the image below, for nearly six decades, the mug was the only keepsake for his widow, Mdm Khadijah Sharifah, who donated it to the museum in 2002. 

  

Gallery V, also known as the "Well of Reflections" provides the feeling of "falling" and reinforces the theme of reflection. It is through the design of a well, with an inverted diorama describing the Fall of Singapore in February 1942 on the ceiling and a mirror on the floor. As I was exploring it, I thought that the well was an innovative and creative way to show the interpretations. After all, you will get to see your own reflection that involves you in it. I'm sure you might think of it too.

Gallery VI, also known as "Sounds of Battle" provides visitors a chance to feel the actual scene being on a battlefield. It is through the multimedia presentation that uses binaural sound effects. 

We put on the earphones to hear the highly authentic recording while siting on replica ammunition boxes. This further allowed us to imagine that we were back in the past, visualizing its terrifying atmosphere in kampong, due to the screen that is designed to look like a kampong house.

This recreation of a scene of the battle is about 10-minute. This audio-visual show completes with holographic images of soldiers, fighter planes and exploding bombs, while some of the most distressing exhibits are the least flashy.

Should you visit here, do not miss the audio-visual show as you will definitely be stimulated and stirred with different emotions and thoughts while witnessing an estimation of how the battle was like. Honestly, I was almost overwhelmed with sorrow upon hearing the cries and screams of the anguish and sufferings of the people.

You will also get to see the works of Chia Chew Soo, a young boy who lived with his family at Pasir Panjang during the invasion. He unfortunately witnessed how his father was killed by the Japanese soldiers. He sketched the drawings of what he experienced that were prompted by the trauma. 

Do not miss the vivid watercolour sketches of the atrocities and outrages by the Japanese soldiers that are displayed in the gallery. When I was looking at the sketches, I could somewhat feel the pain and agony that Chia Chee Soo may experienced. Although I could never exactly feel the same grief as him, I was quite affected and touched by the sketches.

Personal reflections on site:

This museum is located on a forested hill and me being a first-timer, if I were to visit there alone, I may not be aware of its actual location. I commented: “This place is so ulu (local slang for out of the way)!” I further commented: “If not for this assignment, never would I thought of visiting here.”

Truthfully, I am thankful for this eye-opening experience. In addition to knowing on the surface of the history, or should I specifically say, the interpretations of Lieutenant Adnan Saidi (1915-1942), the Battle of Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill) and the Malay Regiment that I was exposed to during my primary and secondary school days, it is definitely refreshing and enlightening to learn and discover more about the past that happened on that hill.

Not only I was very impressed and mesmerized at the interpretations that are displayed meticulously according to the series of events, but also, I was excited as I had gained the first-hand experience to physically see the artifacts other than the weapons used, the worn uniforms in the Learning Room.

When I saw a pair of Raleigh bicycles, with messenger bags still attached, it reminded me of the way how the Japanese forces sped south into Singapore from Malaya, which caught the Allied forces off guard.

After reading the statement as you can see in the photograph above, this makes me think of how we should never forget the sacrifices that our heroes did in order to defend our land, our home for the future generation. Linking and relating back to what Minister George Yeo asserted as below, I feel that despite the fateful events that took place centuries ago, we should bear in mind that our heroes had protected and guarded our land in the expense of their lives. Thus, I do agree that the sacrifices made could be considered that the greatest strength.

After visiting the Reflections at Bukit Chandu, many thoughts and emotions filled my mind and heart. I reflected at what had happened and feel very grateful to all of our heroes who had sacrificed their lives in the defence of Singapore, our homeland.

Sources:

National Library Board, S. (2015). The Battle of Opium Hill | Infopedia. Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 16 February 2015, from http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_457_2005-01-04.html

Reflections & Memories of War Volume 1: Battle for Singapore, Fall of the Impregnable Fortress. (2011). Singapore: National Archives of Singapore.

Samuel, D. (2010). Singapore's heritage through places of historical interest. Singapore: Published by Dhoraisingam S. Samuel.