OVER 200 MEMBERS OF SINGAPORE’S FOUNDING GENERATION STEPPED FORWARD WITH THEIR STORIES FOR FOUNDERS’ MEMORIAL’S PROJECT CITIZENS – THE FIRST MILLION
In commemoration of SG60, Project Citizens – The First Million collects stories of citizens to inspire present and future generations of Singaporeans
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Identity card from the citizenship registration exercise in 1966. This card belonged to Justice Choor Singh. Collection of Indian Heritage Centre.
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Identity card from the citizenship registration exercise in 1966. This card belonged to Mdm Lau Ah Loy. |
Singapore, 18 June 2025 – Justice Choor Singh and Mdm Lau Ah Loy were among the first to receive their National Registration Identity Cards or “pink ICs” when the National Registration Act came into effect from May 1966. By December 1966, close to a million others had joined them to become the first citizens of newly independent Singapore.
2 To commemorate Singapore’s 60th year of independence (SG60), Project Citizens – The First Million, pays tribute to independent Singapore’s founding generation by gathering stories that bring to life the values they exemplified in our early nation-building years. These stories seek to inspire Singaporeans today to reflect on citizenship as a conscious choice, what it means to be citizens of multicultural Singapore and their role in shaping its future. The year-long campaign which launched in April 2025 and runs till March 2026 comprises a Senior Engagement Programme, Project Citizens Pop-ups island-wide, and the Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore experience at the National Gallery Singapore. The initiative marks another key milestone in the Founders’ Memorial’s engagement journey, where public contributions and insights will continue to shape its content ahead of its opening at Bay East Garden in end-2028.
3 Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Co-Chair of the Founders’ Memorial Committee, said: “As we mark 60 years of Singapore’s independence, Project Citizens – The First Million continues this journey, honouring our founding generation and leaders as we reflect on their important contributions and sacrifices. We hope their stories will inspire present and future generations to continue their footsteps and commit and contribute to Singapore's story. Through continued public engagement from day one, we are building a Memorial that reflects our shared experiences and aspirations, forging a shared identity as we bring Singapore forward.”
4 Ms Wong Hong Suen, Director, Founders’ Memorial, said: “The Founders’ Memorial is shining the spotlight on a generation of nearly one million people who chose to stake their future on newly independent Singapore during a time of great uncertainty. Their resilience, boldness, sense of service and sacrifice continue to inspire younger Singaporeans to commit to our nation’s future. By immersing ourselves in a key period of Singapore’s history where these were ideals to be fought for, we remember that multicultural Singapore is not a given and must be forged by every generation of its citizens to come.”
Senior Engagement Programme: Bringing generations together to reflect on citizenship
Youth volunteers facilitating activities that prompt reflection such as memory games and guided storytelling, as part of the Senior Engagement Programme (SEP). Seniors are also encouraged to pen a message for the future to inspire younger Singaporeans.
5 The Senior Engagement Programme collects stories from our founding generation of citizens, bringing to life their contributions, hopes and dreams, and the values they lived out in our nation-building years. Volunteers will help seniors recount and record their stories through facilitated activities and intergenerational conversations.
6 Launched in April 2025, the programme has been ongoing at various locations across Singapore in partnership with organisations such as Agency for Integrated Care, People’s Association, National Library Board, and corporate and community partners.
7 Aathira Unnithan, Centre Manager, THK Active Ageing Centre @ Beo Crescent, where a pilot run of the Senior Engagement Programme was conducted said: “These sessions gave our seniors a precious opportunity to sit together with their peers and volunteers, sharing memories of Singapore's founding years. Their faces lit up as they shared childhood stories and reflected on how Singapore has transformed. It's more than just reminiscence – it's about documenting the voices of a generation who chose Singapore as home and shaped the nation we know today.”
8 Lim Jia Ying Joy, a youth volunteer among more than 140 volunteers trained by the Memorial for the programme, said: "Being part of this programme has been one of the most meaningful experiences for me. Sitting with our seniors and hearing their stories—full of grit, hope, and heart—has deepened my appreciation for Singapore’s roots. I was there to listen and learn, and in doing so, help carry their stories and values forward. It’s important work, and there’s always room for more of us to be part of it."
The Project Citizen intergenerational conversation kit developed by the Founders’ Memorial
9 The Memorial has also developed an intergenerational conversation kit for seniors and youths, to spark family conversations about what it means to be a Singaporean and how our founding values continue to inspire us in our daily lives. The kit also carries a QR code to encourage Singaporeans to submit a story about the founding generation. It is available on the Memorial’s website and will also be distributed to schools.
Project Citizens Pop-up: A nation-wide tribute to Singapore’s founding generation of citizens
The interactive pop-up roves to various community venues island-wide. It allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the journey and contributions of the founding generation, while also providing a platform for Singaporeans to reflect on the meaning of citizenship and multiculturalism.
10 From April 2025 to March 2026, Project Citizens Pop-up will travel to more than 20 locations such as community hubs and libraries. At the pop-up, the Founders’ Memorial explores the founding generation’s journey to citizenship – from breaking away as British subjects post-WWII in 1949 to formalising a Singapore citizenship and finally, what it meant to become citizens of independent Singapore. Through vignettes, dioramas of early nation-building scenes and an interactive photo zone, visitors can step into the shoes of the first Singaporeans, connect with the hopes, fears and emerging sense of identity that shaped their decisions, and reflect on what being Singaporean means and their role in building Singapore’s future. They also stand a chance to win Founders’ Memorial merchandise by penning a message to the founding generation.
11 The pop-up first launched at Tampines Regional Library and Clementi Public Library and has since travelled to the National Family Festival @ Expo, Bedok Public Library and Woodlands Regional Library. It will also be at select SG60 events. The pop-up schedule can be found at www.foundersmemorial.gov.sg/project-citizens.
Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore
12 The Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore experience that will be held at the National Gallery Singapore invites reflection and conversation on multiculturalism – how this value came to be during our nation-building years of the 1950s to 1970s, and continues to be, foundational to Singapore’s unity and progress – and how Singaporeans can play an active role in shaping it. The experience runs from October 2025 to March 2026.
13 The experience will be the Founders’ Memorial’s second pilot to test the content and storytelling approach of its eventual galleries. The first pilot ‘Semangat yang Baru: Forging a New Singapore Spirit’ was an exhibition on Singapore’s founding leaders and values that ran at the National Museum of Singapore in 2023. This pilot will explore the use of art, interactive media and conversation prompts to create meaningful and contemplative audience experiences. More information will be provided later in the year.
14 For more information on the Founders’ Memorial’s milestones, please visit https://www.foundersmemorial.sg/.