S’poreans consider SARS outbreak, Changi Airport opening as 'most important' events: IPS Study
The SARS outbreak was high on the list of historical events that Singaporeans felt was most important to them in an IPS survey. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — As the Republic marks 50 years of independence, a study has found that the historical events best remembered by Singaporeans, are not necessarily the same ones which they viewed as most important.
The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) study findings released today (Jan 25) showed that historical events fresh in the minds of most Singaporeans are: the opening of the two casinos (98.9%), the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak (98.5%), the major MRT train breakdowns in 2011 (96.4%), Mas Selamat’s escape in 2008 (95.2%), and the handing over of premiership from Mr Lee Kuan Yew to Goh Chok Tong in 1990 (93.1%).
However, the list of events that respondents felt were most important to them differed slightly – apart from the SARS outbreak, events rated most important were the opening of Changi Airport (4.21) and the official launch of the MRT network (4.36).
And among the events that Singaporeans were least aware of are controversial episodes in local history. Under a quarter of respondents knew of the following: the Graduate Mother Scheme debate (24.9%), the Laju hostage incident (22.1%) , the discovery of a Marxist Conspiracy plot (18.5%), and Operation Cold Store (16.6%).
The IPS conducted the study on public perceptions of local history last year. A list of 50 events in local history — ranging from modern Singapore’s founding in 1819 to the last general election in 2011 – was culled, and 1,516 Singaporeans were polled.
Respondents were asked if they were aware of a certain event, and then made to rank its importance on a five-point scale.
IPS senior research fellow Leong Chan-Hoong, also the study’s principal investigator, explained that negative events tend to leave lasting impressions as “it is human nature to remember bad things”.
“(What’s viewed as important) tend to be… events that exemplify … progress,” he said, adding policymakers could draw on the study’s findings when determining whether a policy aligns with the values of Singaporeans.
