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National Loyalty Week

National Loyalty Week was held between 3 - 10 December 1959 to encourage a sense of loyalty to the new state of Singapore amongst its diverse citizens. It saw the inauguration of key national symbols including the state flag, the national anthem, the state crest and the installation of the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara or Head of State.

Significant Events
The week began with the inauguration of Yusof bin Ishak as the first Malayan-born Yang di-Pertuan Negara, in the City Council Chamber at 10:00 am. This was followed by a 17-gun salute, when the new Yang di-Pertuan Negara appeared on the steps, and the new national anthem of Singapore, Majulah Singapura, was played for the first time. At 11:20 am the Singapore flag, designed by Toh Chin Chye (Dr), was unfurled. Abdul Aziz bin Ishak, Federation Minister of Agriculture, and brother of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, led the delegation of leaders of the four political parties. A crowd of 25,000 citizens then took part in a rally in the Padang afterwards.

Other Events
There were several major events held during the week. The Happy World Stadium was the venue for the recital of South East Asian dances on the first night. The Grand Tattoo (Malam Raksaksa Rakyat), a show by Singapore's Military, Civil Defence, Police Force and schoolchildren, held at Jalan Besar Stadium, was washed out by heavy rains on the second night, but had more successful runs during the week. Other major events included Variety concerts at City Hall, a Harbour fireworks display in the inner roads, and a star-studded show in the badminton hall entitled Puspawarna Singapura organised by Radio Singapura. There were free film shows and peoples' concerts, Aneka Ragam Ra'ayat, were held throughout the island state. On 9 December, Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister, addressed the Teachers' Rally at the Happy World Stadium, where he emphasised the necessity of the new 6-day work week, a pay cut for teachers, and changes to the school system.

A plaque to mark the site of the future Kallang National Theatre was unveiled by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, engraved in Malay and Chinese with the words: "This is the site for the proposed National Theatre to be built in commemoration of National Loyalty Week".

During the week people could dial 2 or 3 to listen to Majulah Singapura on the telephone. Admission to swimming pools was free, and rides at the Great World and Happy World were free or greatly reduced in price. The Legislative Assembly and the University of Malaya's Science Faculty were opened to the public in the mornings. People were also given access to the Shell Tanker, M. V. Lotorium. Exhibitions with free entry included "The 'Peoples' Government at Work" at the Victoria Memorial Hall, photography and arts exhibition at the Polytechnic, and the Singapore Harbour Board exhibition at the SHB Exhibition Pavilion at Tanjong Pagar.

The week ended with a celebrity-packed peoples' concert on the steps of City Hall. The contributions of the government, commercial houses, small traders, schools and other organisations for the preparations for National Loyalty Week amounted to a total cost of S$175,000.



Author
Ruth Creamer



References 
A memorable week ends. (1959, December 10). The Straits Times, p. 1.

City goes gay for a week of joy. (1959, December 3). The Straits Times, p. 16.

Entertainment need not be degenerate says Mr. Lee. (1959, December 8). The Straits Times, p. 4.

Final plans for big show. (1959, December 3). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Grand Tattoo: Highlight of today events. (1959, December 4). The Straits Times, p. 4.

Head of State makes stirring call to citizens of Singapore. (1959, December 3). Singapore Free Press, p. 1.

Joy born of a new pride and dignity. (1959, December 4). The Straits Times, p. 6.

Keep up the spirit of loyalty and unity. (1959, December 10). The Straits Times, p. 4.

Last nights harbour lights: A magnificent show on the waterfront. (1959, December 7). The Straits Times, p. 110.

Loyalty week: Govt. to ask Assembly for $175,000. (1959, December 3). The Straits Times, p. 4.


Further Readings
Singapore: An illustrated history, 1941-1984 (pp. 186-187). (1984). Singapore: Information Division, Ministry of Culture.
(Call no.: RCLOS 959.57 SIN)

Loyalty Week: Tengku sends his greetings. (1959, December 3). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Reaffirmation of loyalty by citizens. (1959, December 3). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Teachers Rally in Happy World Stadium. (1959, December 9). The Straits Times, p. 20.

When the rains came yesterday Grand Tattoo washed out. (1959, December 5). The Straits Times, p. 1. 

The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Events>>National Campaigns
Politics and Government
Social ethics--Singapore
Special weeks--Singapore
Special events--Singapore
Law and government>>Political ideologies>>Nationalism

Librarian Recommendations
>> The National Flag of Singapore
>> The Singapore National Anthem


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