The Singapore Story

The four commemorative stamps tracing the Singapore story are released to mark the launch of the National Education Exhibition, a mammoth exhibition organised by the Ministry of Information and the Arts from 7 to 31 July 1998. The aim of the exhibition is to educate the young and promote public awareness of the nation's history. The stamps depict some of the defining moments of Singapore history from 1955 to 1965, when it was declared an independent nation. The photographs used on the stamps are reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Information and the Arts.

1955-1959: Turbulent Years
The stamp design shows a montage of images: the foreground depicts the student and labour unrest; the background depicts rallies organised by the various political parties before the 1955 and 1959 elections. The Malay word "Merdeka" which means "freedom", is overprinted on the stamp.

1961-1965: Towards Merger and Independence
Singapore and Malaysia signed the Agreement in 1963, which led to the merger. However, the merger was not successful and Singapore was asked to leave Malaysia on 9 August 1965. Words like "Referendum", "Merdeka", "Konfrontasi", "Malaysian Malaysia" are used on the stamps to remind people of the various incidents. The Malay words "Majulah Malaysia" are overprinted on the stamp.

1959-1963: Self-Government
The stamp design captures the triumphant moment of the people and the housing and industrialisation programme started by the newly elected government. It also features members of the first Cabinet from the People's Action Party. The Malay words "Majulah Singapura" which means "Onward Singapore" are overprinted on the stamp.

1965..... A Nation is Born
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew declared Singapore an independent nation on 9 August 1965. Singapore was also admitted into the United Nations (UN) in the same year. The stamp design depicts the joyous mood of the people with the Singapore and UN flags in the background. The words "one People, One Nation" are overprinted on the stamp.

Date of Issue: 7 July 1998
Denominations: One stamp with No value indicator (valued at the prevailing postage up to the basic weight-step for local mail). Three other stamps comprising 60¢, $1, $2
Stamp Size: 50mm x 33mm
Perforation: 12¾ x 13¼
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset-Lithography
Printer: Joh Enschede Security Printers
Designer: Chua Ban Har / Design Business (S) Pte Ltd

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$4.40