The Old Ford factory is home to a permanent gallery featuring the exhibition ‘Syonan Years: Singapore Under Japanese Rule, 1942-1945’.

Old Ford Factory now

The National Archives of Singapore had decided to refurbish the old Ford Motor Factory, and rightfully so, since where else would be a better place then that where Lt.-Gen. A. E. Percival, Commander of the British Forces in Singapore, surrendered to the Japanese Army on that historical moment – 15th February 1942. Now, the old Ford factory is home to a permanent gallery featuring the exhibition ‘Syonan Years: Singapore Under Japanese Rule, 1942-1945’.

Old Ford Factory then

The exhibition depicts a time-line as you enter the gallery area through a foreboding tunnel.

Tunnel leading into the gallery

Welcoming visitors is the room where the surrender took place itself.

Surrender Chamber

The rest of the exhibition is as fascinating, with first hand encounters from the survivors of the Syonan years. Startlingly vivid black and white photographs don the metal boards, together with excerpts of letters, maps and interviews.

Students at an assembly bowing to the Japanese flag

Besides written artifacts, there is also a section for oral history interviews. You can press corresponding buttons to hear about the events occurring throughout the various places in Singapore.

Even more interactive is the “History in Numbers’ Game” located in the lobby. Inspired by ‘Tic-Tac-Toe’, this game is based on facts about the Japanese Occupation. Two can play at one time or one can simply pit against the computer.

Other interesting highlights include an AV theatre telecasting documentaries on the Japanese Occupation as well as a wartime garden plot dedicated to wartime crops such as sugarcane, rice padi and of course tapioca. Used to the concrete and glass of urbanized Singapore, this is a rare chance to view such historical crops that helped sustain the diet of those who had to go through the tumultuous years.

Statue of a POW

Being born more than 40 years after the Japanese Occupation, I am part of the fortunate generation who has grown up enjoying the benefits of a stable and rapid economic development under the PAP. We are the generation who can only grasp life during the British colonial rule, Japanese Occupation and the merger with Malaya through the eyes of history books. Thus, the exhibition at the old Ford factory is a good place to relive those portrayed events.

Empathy and sadness were some of the feelings evoked in me as I ponder through the photographs and interviews. My heart ached for those who had to endure the occupation period. I had lumps in my throat as I listen on to their voices as they retold their different stories. I’m sure that for those survivors visiting this exhibition, a sentimental mood will linger for a long while after visiting this memorable place.

Learning from the past, my generation shall look to the future and I hope that history will not repeat itself.

Editor’s Note:
Habibah is a Young Team Singapore Ambassador, a student leader cum ‘catalyst’ for sports promotion in her school. She has participated in TS events together with TS athletes. One of the most prominent is in Ecrans Tambours – a screen drum performance under the umbrella of the Singapore Arts Festival. The performance is a novel collaboration between NAC and SSC to merge arts and sports.