Abstract
So stated Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on 9 August 1965, in a televised response to queries from journalists about the regional implications of Singapore’s ejection from Malaysia two years after full independence from the British. In a now iconic scene from the history of the Southeast Asian city-state, Lee went on to describe the separation as ‘a moment of anguish’ (ibid.: 21), before sensationally illustrating the sentiment by breaking down in tears: ‘Recording was stopped,’ states the official transcript delicately, ‘for the Prime Minister to regain his composure’ (ibid.: 22).
Indonesia must first recognise that Singapore, as proclaimed by myself on behalf of the people and Government of Singapore today is an independent, sovereign nation with a will and a capacity of its own. A strong will, if I may be [sic] little immodest about the pride and the stamina of the citizens of Singapore in a capacity which is rather limited.
(Lee, 1965: 4)
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Langenbach, R., Rae, P. (2010). ’say as I Do’: Performance Research in Singapore. In: McKenzie, J., Roms, H., Wee, C.J.WL. (eds) Contesting Performance. Performance Interventions. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230279421_9
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