When we study and discuss history in Singapore, we usually focus on the social and political history of this country. However, the people’s relationship with this island’s natural environment also tells a rich story of its own. Today, we speak to Associate Professor Timothy Barnard from the National University of Singapore about his new edited book, Singaporean Creatures. We discuss environmental history during the colonial era from his previous book and how early national development policies regulated and restructured Singapore’s relationship with animals ..read more

When we think about the history of Indians in British Malaya, their work in the rubber estates usually comes to mind first. But Indians also helped construct, operate and maintain the Malayan Railways that stretched across the peninsula and connected Singapore as well. Along with the tracks came numerous Hindu temples and shrines that shaped Malaya’s religious landscape. Today, we speak to Professor Vineeta Sinha from the National University of Singapore about her new book Temple Tracks. We discuss the history of Indian labourers in the Malayan Railways, their role in religion-making via templ ..read more

Before he was President of Singapore, Yusof Ishak was the Yang di-Pertuan Negara which directly translates to “He Who is Made Lord”. Singaporeans generally know little about this role, other than it was the predecessor of the current presidency and a symbol of self-government. But in fact, the British, Federation of Malaya, and Singapore leaders all actively struggled to define the Yang di-Pertuan Negara’s powers and symbolism so that the office would align with their political vision for the island. Today, we speak to Muhammad Suhail, a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge, who has au ..read more

NTUC FairPrice is such a household icon in Singapore that it’s more famous than the union movement itself. But how did NTUC come to operate a supermarket chain in the first place? Today, we speak to Sue-Ann Chia, co-editor of a new book titled “The Price of Being Fair” which chronicles FairPrice’s 50 years in business. We discuss FairPrice’s beginnings during heavy inflation, the pivotal decisions and costly mistakes it made, the supermarket wars, and its crucial role in national supply chain resilience ..read more

In 1996, an Ang Moh arrived in Toa Payoh to start a new life. He loved Singapore’s idiosyncrasies so much that he decided to turn his humorous observations of everyday life here into a series of books. Today, we speak to Neil Humphreys, author of Notes From An Even Smaller Island (2001) and numerous other titles, about his take on 1990s Singapore, kiasu behaviour, colonial history and what he considers most unique about this little island ..read more

Long before Pink Dot and the repeal of Section 377A, Singapore had a colourful Queer history of recreation, repression, and resistance during the 20th century. Today, we speak to Roy Tan, a veteran activist and archivist who founded the Singapore LGBT Encyclopedia Wiki. We discuss the history of activism, AIDS, gay bars, entrapment operations, media portrayals and early advances in transgender rights. Please note that this episode contains mentions of suicide and historical terms that may be offensive now ..read more

Looking at Singapore’s football scene today, it is hard to imagine that we once enjoyed a golden age in football. But we did enjoy that golden age. The man often credited for nurturing it is Choo Seng Quee. Also known as Uncle Choo, he coached the Singapore national team to victory at the iconic 1977 Malaysia Cup final. Today, we speak to Reynold Pereira, author of a new book on Uncle Choo, about the legendary coach’s philosophy and how he shaped some of Singapore’s best football players ..read more

The physical shopping mall is increasingly seen as out of date with the rise of online shopping. However, shopping malls were once considered major symbols of Singapore’s rapid modernisation. They became homes to youth culture, video arcades and even artistic protest. Today, we speak to Assistant Professor Liew Kai Khiun from Hong Kong Metropolitan University about his edited book “The Singapore Mall Generation ..read more

Singapore is a city renowned for its reputation as a stern, conservative environment. But history reveals a more colourful past, where queer people carved out spaces for their own voices despite overwhelming discrimination. Today, we speak to Isaac Tng, who has curated a walking tour exploring Singapore’s LGBT past, and discuss the significance of learning that history. Sign up for the walking tour here ..read more

Raffles Institution celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2023. The school is more than an institution, weaving itself into Singapore’s history through the decades. Nowhere is this documented better than in The Rafflesian, which has been the official school magazine since 1886, and many other student publications. Today, we speak to Theophilus Kwek and Lara Tan about 135 years of student writing they have helped curate in the new anthology titled “Some Dreams From Now ..read more