Singapore's Minister of Defence, Teo Chee Hean, shares his parents' experiences of World War 2 with What's Up. He also stresses how it is everyone's duty today to protect Singapore and ensure that the nation never becomes as helpless as it was back then.

World War 2 and the Japanese Occupation of Singapore ended 60 years ago. How did people feel about that? Did your parents or other relatives have any memories to share about that time?
I heard stories from my father and mother about that dark period in our history.

My mother had just arrived in Hong Kong to study when the war began. Fortunately for her, she managed to find her way back safely by ship and train.

My father was a student in the then Raffles College. He helped out as an air raid warden, like our Civil Defence Force today. He remembered very clearly the bombs; the day when he saw the first Japanese soldiers marching into the city; how people did not have enough food to eat; how relatives and friends became sick and died because there was no medical care and no medicines.

My parents also recounted their own experiences with the kempetai. They were fortunate. Many people who were taken away were tortured and killed. People lived in fear and sadness during that entire period. My grandmother did not like to talk about that period. She never said much. My grandfather was rounded up in the first few days of the Occupation. They tried very hard to find him, even after the War was over, but my grandmother and father never saw him again.

What strikes me most about their stories of the Occupation is the fear, and the sense of helplessness – not knowing what will happen to them next. That’s why we must make sure that Singapore will never again be invaded and occupied by another country. We must be able to defend ourselves. This is why we make sure that our armed forces, the SAF, can defend our nation.


Was the end of World War 2 the end of all war?
After the horrors of World War 2, many people hoped that there would not be any more wars. The major countries worked together to set up the United Nations to help settle problems in a peaceful way.

But unfortunately, there are still many conflicts and many trouble-spots around the world. Soon after WW2, there was the Korean War in the 1950s. In the 60s, 70s, and 80s there were wars in Africa, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

When you watch TV or open up the newspapers, you see reports on the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Sudan, the Palestinian- Israeli conflict, and also reports on potential conflict areas like the Korean Peninsula. No one wants war. Certainly not Singapore. We develop good relations with other countries and look for areas where we can cooperate so that the people of both sides can benefit. We contribute to international efforts to enhance peace and stability, for instance through the United Nations. But it is not enough just to say that we want to be friends with everyone, and hope that everyone will therefore be friends with us. We must also ensure that we have a credible defence to deter anyone who may have aggressive ideas. We should learn from the lesson of Kuwait, whose weak defence tempted its bigger neighbour Iraq to invade in 1990.

Having a credible defence also gives us the confidence and flexibility to do what is best for Singapore, so that we will not be forced to do what a bigger bully demands when that is not in Singapore’s interest.


Back in 1942, Singapore was conquered pretty easily. What about nowadays? Is it still easy to conquer Singapore?
In 1942 Singapore was a British colony. Britain itself was under attack – by Germany – and protecting their homeland was most important to the British. Defending Singapore was not at the top of their priorities. And at that time, Singaporeans were not allowed to play a role and did not know how to defend their own country. Now we are an independent country. Ultimately, we must make sure that we can defend ourselves. We cannot depend on others to defend us. Today, Singaporeans serve in the Singapore Armed Forces.

We have invested in military equipment that will help us win if we ever have to fight to defend Singapore. They include fighter and early warning aircraft, ships and submarines, armoured vehicles and artillery, attack helicopters, radars and communications networks. Many of them are hi-tech, state-of-the-art equipment.

But even more important than good equipment is good people. Our soldiers, sailors and airmen are well trained. Our high educational standards mean that they can make the best use of the advanced military equipment in the SAF. But it is our will and determination to defend Singapore that matters most of all. When we are all united and determined to protect our homeland, families and friends, and when we all play our part in one way or another, it will not be easy for an enemy to conquer us. For instance, when we live and work together in harmony and help one another, regardless of race and religion, we help to build a united society and a stronger country.

Or when we stand up for our country with confidence and pride, and we bounce back with determination and grit after a crisis hits us – we help to safeguard our independence and survival as a nation. This is Total Defence, and every Singaporean has a part to play.


Back then Japan was the enemy. Now Japan and Singapore are friends. The same happened between Britain and Germany. They were killing each other during the war, but now they are good pals. Can you explain how people who were enemies become friends?
It has been 60 years since World War 2 ended. It does not make sense to remain enemies and keep hating another country and their people for what their forefathers did, especially if they have expressed regret and remorse.

We must not forget what happened, so that we do not repeat the mistakes and tragedies of the past. But we should forgive and move on – see how we can improve relations and expand cooperation.

This is what we have done with Japan, and today relations between Singapore and Japan are very good and there are many areas of cooperation which bring benefits to both countries.

At the personal level, many Singaporeans have also put the Occupation behind them and formed friendships with Japanese people. We should look forward and continue to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation.