45th anniversary of Operation Coldstore

Thanks Yi-sheng for this, I don't think I'll remember if he doesn't mention it on his blog.

On 3rd Feb 1963, the government of Singapore arrested at least 107 left-wing politicans and trade unionists with the Internal Security Act, accusing them to be communists. They included Ho Piao, Lim Chin Siong and Said Zahari. This infamous arrest is called Operation Coldstore, and it effectively destroyed Singapore's hope of having a strong opposition party.

Many historians have argued that Barisan Socialis are not communists as alleged by the PAP government. However, their names have been so badly smeared, and effectively cleansed from the history of Singapore. How many people know that Lee Kuan Yew used to think highly of Lim Chin Siong, and they were once comrades?

Out of sight, out of mind.

Sadly, it is extremely unlikely that the Internal Security Act will be abolished anytime soon - the government has a convenient excuse, terrorism, to maintain this law.

If you are interested to read more about this other side of Singapore history, I have a few books to loan. :)