History
Just Singapore
Singapore has come a long way since Raffles landed. It is a small country with no natural resources. The only precious resource we have is our people. How successful Singapore will be depends on our people. The destiny of Singapore lies in the hands of its people.
Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles was the founder of Singapore. During the early 1800s, Raffles was the Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen. He felt that Britain needed a trading port. With the help of his assistant, Major William Farquhar, Raffles began his search.
Raffles set up a trading port in Singapore because Singapore has many geographical advantages:
1. She lay on the main trade route between India and China.
2. She had a deep harbour suitable for big ships to anchor.
3. She had a plentiful supply of fresh water.
28 Jan 1819: Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived at St John’s Island, off Singapore, with his British fleet.
29 Jan 1819: Raffles came to the island of Singapore with William Farquhar. They saw some Malay and Chinese settlers and Orang Laut living on the island. They walked around the island and came to the Temenggong’s house. The Temenggong was the chief of the island. He invited Raffles into this house. Raffles was able to speak Malay. He asked the Temenggong for permission to set up a British Trading settlement in Singapore. The Temenggong was willing but had no power to give Raffles the permission. Singapore belonged to the Sultan of Johor. Only the Sultan could grant Raffles the permission. Raffles then had a discussion with the Temenggong. Finally, they decided to seek Tengku Hussein, the elder brother of the Sultan of Johor for help.
6 Feb 1819: The Padang was a busy day today. Tengku Hussein turned up smartly dressed. He walked on a red carpet from the Temenggong’s house to a tent. A servant carried an umbrella over his head. Raffles was waiting for him in the tent. There, Tengku Hussein was made the new Sultan of Johor by the British. The new Sultan and the Temenggong then signed a treaty with the British. The treaty allowed the British to build a trading settlement in Singapore. In return, the Sultan and teh Temenggong would receive money from the British annually. A flag-raising ceremony followed the signing of the treaty. The British flag was erected in Singapore. This marked the founding of modern Singapore.
My Birthday: 8th September 2008
Convocation Day : 5th September 1993
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[...] The eagle eye and gryphon strength They led us to the fore To reign supreme in ev’ry sphere The sons of Singapore [...]
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[...] History [...]