Latest news with #JapaneseOccupation
Business Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
The old Thong Chai Building, a national monument, set to change hands
[SINGAPORE] The former Thong Chai Medical Institution in Eu Tong Sen Street, a national monument, is close to being sold, The Business Times understands. The asset – with triple frontages along Eu Tong Sen Street, Merchant Road and New Market Road – comprises the building constructed in 1892 and gazetted as a national monument in 1973, as well as a two-storey annexe built in the 1990s. The property is being sold by MMT Singapore Properties, a US-incorporated company that is linked to Forever Living Products, a global multi-level marketing health and beauty business selling mostly aloe vera products; the company is headquartered in Arizona. The incoming owner of 50 Eu Tong Sen Street is understood to be an entity linked to Singapore-incorporated real estate investment company Clifton Partners. The word in the market is that the all-in cost for the buyer is in the S$45 million to S$50 million range. The property is on a site area of about 11,730 square feet (sq ft) with 99-year leasehold tenure from August 1994, leaving a balance term of about 68 years. The total built-up area is about 20,000 sq ft. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up After occupying the 50 Eu Tong Sen Street premises for about two decades, Forever Living recently relocated to Carpenter Street. View of the first courtyard from the second storey shows a roof with concrete ridge frieze, gable walls and ornamental copings. PHOTO: BT FILE Forever Living's late founder, president and chief executive officer Rex Maughan died in 2021. The company is currently helmed by his son Gregg Maughan, who is the CEO; Aidan O'Hare is the president. The former Thong Chai Medical Institution, also known as the old Thong Chai Building, was among the first batch of eight buildings that were gazetted as national monuments in 1973. The status accords the highest level of protection for built heritage, that is, preservation under the Preservation of Monuments Act. The second courtyard with a view of an original timber screen with the Chinese characters Fu, Lu and Shou – the Chinese deities of good fortune, prosperity and longevity, respectively. PHOTO: BT FILE Industry observers expect the new owner of 50 Eu Tong Sen Street to refurbish the asset in accordance with guidelines stipulated for national monuments. Potential uses may include suitable wellness, lifestyle or food and beverage concepts. Clifton has experience restoring and uplifting heritage properties. An example is the conservation shophouse at 75 Maude Road in the Jalan Besar area. This is where Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew hid during the Japanese Occupation, to escape a mass screening and almost-certain death. Describing the former Thong Chai Medical Institution, Vernon Cornelius and Valerie Chew, in an article on the National Library Board website, write: 'The building is considered a historical landmark not only because the institution symbolised the spirit of mutual assistance among early Chinese settlers, but also because it is a rare surviving example of Southern Chinese secular architecture.' The Thong Chai Medical Institution was built with the support of philanthropic Chinese businessmen as well as funds raised through public subscription, with the British colonial government providing the land. Completed in 1892, the Thong Chai Medical Institution in Chinatown provided free medical services and herbs to the poor; it was also a centre for activities for the early Chinese community. The building served as the headquarters of Chinese guilds and the venue for various public meetings. The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce operated from an office there until 1906. In 1976, the medical institution moved to a new building in Chin Swee Road and returned the old medical hall to the government, which then spent nearly S$500,000 on extensive restoration and renovation works before the venue was reopened as an arts and crafts centre in 1979. URA sale of site The national monument was packaged with an adjacent vacant site and put up for sale in the early 1990s by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Architect Chan Seng Kee, through Ke-Cho (Pte) Ltd, placed the highest bid of S$3.89 million for the property at a URA tender that closed in April 1994. His firm Design Environment Group Architects did extensive restoration work on the asset; this included adding a new annexe in the same southern-China architectural style of the original property. The project was completed in 1998. The original configuration of the interior spaces and courtyards was retained. Skilled craftsmen from China were engaged to restore the old Thong Chai Building's detailed features such as the intricate concrete ridge frieze on the roof, with gable walls and ornamental copings. The building was tenanted to a pub-disco and later to two restaurants, but all closed within a short time. Chan then put the property up for sale. In late 2004, it was sold to MMT Singapore Properties. According to an earlier media report, the price was 'under S$7 million'. The premises were spruced up to serve as the new corporate office for Forever Living Products.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Retro picnic displays steal the show at Ipoh carnival
Ibrahim's winning picnic set-up at DR Seenivasagam Recreational Park. Ipoh City's 37th Anniversary Carnival drew crowds to DR Seenivasagam Recreational Park where a retro picnic set-up decoration contest was a highlight. Participants went all out to impress, showcasing unique collections and creative displays. Mohd Sazali Samsuri, a participant with a passion for antiques, saw the retro theme as a perfect fit for his hobby. 'I have items like an old bicycle from the Japanese Occupation era, a British-era helmet, congkak, wooden coconut grater, radio and fire extinguisher,' he said when met during the opening of the carnival by Ipoh mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah. 'I had people stopping by and asking about these things, as they were curious. Ibrahim says he rented a classic suitcase for his picnic display. 'Some didn't even know what these items were used for, so it's a good opportunity for people to learn. 'Also, this can help showcase our culture too,' he added. Wedding planner Ibrahim Othman, who secured first place and a RM1,000 cash prize, had rented a classic suitcase from his friends for his picnic set-up in the competition. 'I was looking for antique items with a picnic theme and I got the idea for the suitcase. 'I wanted to incorporate both Malay and English retro style and the suitcase was the perfect centrepiece. 'We added flowers to give it a touch of English charm too,' said Ibrahim. Housewife Rofiah Rajiei joined the competition after learning about it online. 'I see this as a relaxing and stress-free environment for everyone. 'I decorated my spot with retro and English elements, including vintage radio, vinyl records and ukulele,' she said. 'Hopefully, when people see my set-up, it may inspire them with ideas for their own picnics,' Rofiah added. Apart from the picnic contest, other activities at the carnival included a cooking competition, barista latte art competition, sepak raga ratus tournament, pop-up markets as well as Jualan Rahmah sales. Student Muhd Danaiel Hamka said the event was an eye- opening experience. 'I saw antique items I have never come across before. 'I hope more events like this will be held in the future as they can help younger generations better understand the items used by our elders,' he added.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release
SINGAPORE: A film billed as Singapore's first animated historical epic is set to open in cinemas here in August 2026. The Violinist is set against the backdrop of colonial Singapore, the Japanese Occupation and the turbulent decades that follow. The story begins before the war and follows Fei, a violinist from a Peranakan family, and her close friend Kai, also a violinist. After the Japanese invasion of Singapore in 1941, Kai joins the resistance, but he disappears after the war. Fei spends decades performing around the region while searching for her missing friend. Her journey is marked by grief, and also hope. Singapore actors voicing the characters include Tan Kheng Hua, Adrian Pang, Ayden Sng and Fang Rong. Japanese actor Kazuya Tanabe voices a character who appears during the Occupation. Golden Horse Award-winning local musician Ricky Ho will compose music for the project. In a press statement, the film's co-director Ervin Han called The Violinist a tribute to 'a generation shaped by history'. 'I wanted to tell a story that lives in the space between history and imagination, one that honours the people who endured and the quiet courage that history often overlooks,' says Han, who also co-wrote the screenplay. He shares the writing and directing credits with veteran Spanish animator Raul Garcia, whose animation credits include Disney classics like Beauty And The Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992) and The Lion King (1994). The Violinist is a co-production between Singapore's Robot Playground Media, co-founded by Han, Spain's TV ON Producciones and Italy's Altri Occhi. Don Chen, director of the Singapore Film Commission and senior principal consultant with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), calls the film 'a breakthrough for Singapore storytelling'. 'It is the first time our history has been brought to life through animation in a way that has captured global interest. This achievement does more than showcase our creative talent; it opens the door for future generations of local talents to share stories of our home and our dreams,' he said. At a press event held on July 15 at IMDA's innovation space Pixel in one-north, Han, 50, says the film is about 'music and memory' - 'the things we hold on to, the things we search for, and the things we have to let go of to find something new'. The feature, adapted from Han's 2016 short film The Violin, has taken eight years to develop. 'We wanted the The Violinist to be rooted not just in character but in a place, specifically in Singapore and Malaya. We spent years establishing a high level of authenticity in the historical locations seen in the film,' he says. Fei's Peranakan family home, for example, is based on the NUS Baba House in conservation district Blair Plain. Fei's Peranakan family home is inspired by the NUS Baba House, a heritage site that was once the home of a Straits Chinese family. The track record for Singapore animated features has been marked by ups and downs. The 3D animated fantasies Legend Of The Sea (2007) and Zodiac: The Race Begins (2006) were acknowledged to be critical and commercial failures, while the animated drama Tatsumi (2011) from celebrated Singapore film-maker Eric Khoo was more positively received on the festival circuit and was selected to be Singapore's entry to the Best Foreign Language category at the 2012 Academy Awards, but did not make the final shortlist. Han says he is aware of the risk he is taking but says that making a film in Singapore, be it live-action or animation, involves taking a bet on one's instincts. 'Who in their right mind would make an animated film? Maybe there's a good reason why no one has made one in so long. Tatsumi was released 14 years ago. But I can't help it. It's what I love,' he says. Producer Justin Deimen calls The Violinist a 'very Singaporean film that crosses cultures'. It is not aimed at the arthouse or prestige end of the market, but will be a film for 'children in higher primary, their parents and their grandparents', he says. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
The Violinist: Singapore's First Animated Historical Epic Set for 2026 Release
A film billed as Singapore's first animated historical epic is set to open in cinemas here in August 2026. The Violinist is set against the backdrop of colonial Singapore, the Japanese Occupation and the turbulent decades that follow. The story begins before the war and follows Fei, a violinist from a Peranakan family, and her close friend Kai, also a violinist. After the Japanese invasion of Singapore in 1941, Kai joins the resistance, but he disappears after the war. Fei spends decades performing around the region while searching for her missing friend. Her journey is marked by grief, and also hope. Singapore actors voicing the characters include Tan Kheng Hua, Adrian Pang, Ayden Sng and Fang Rong. Japanese actor Kazuya Tanabe voices a character who appears during the Occupation. Golden Horse Award-winning local musician Ricky Ho will compose music for the project. In a press statement, the film's co-director Ervin Han called The Violinist a tribute to 'a generation shaped by history'. 'I wanted to tell a story that lives in the space between history and imagination, one that honours the people who endured and the quiet courage that history often overlooks,' says Han, who also co-wrote the screenplay. He shares the writing and directing credits with veteran Spanish animator Raul Garcia, whose animation credits include Disney classics like Beauty And The Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992) and The Lion King (1994). The Violinist is a co-production between Singapore's Robot Playground Media, co-founded by Han, Spain's TV ON Producciones and Italy's Altri Occhi. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Business Singapore financial sector growth doubles in 2024, assets managed cross $6 trillion in a first: MAS Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms and 1 lawyer over seized properties Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Singapore Real estate firm PropNex donates $6 million to Community Chest for 25th anniversary Singapore Sengkang-Punggol LRT gets 15.8 per cent capacity boost with new trains Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Don Chen, director of the Singapore Film Commission and senior principal consultant with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), calls the film 'a breakthrough for Singapore storytelling'. 'It is the first time our history has been brought to life through animation in a way that has captured global interest. This achievement does more than showcase our creative talent; it opens the door for future generations of local talents to share stories of our home and our dreams,' he said. At a press event held on July 15 at IMDA's innovation space Pixel in one-north, Han, 50, says the film is about 'music and memory' - 'the things we hold on to, the things we search for, and the things we have to let go of to find something new'. The feature, adapted from Han's 2016 short film The Violin, has taken eight years to develop. 'We wanted the The Violinist to be rooted not just in character but in a place, specifically in Singapore and Malaya. We spent years establishing a high level of authenticity in the historical locations seen in the film,' he says. Fei's Peranakan family home, for example, is based on the NUS Baba House in conservation district Blair Plain. Fei's Peranakan family home is inspired by the NUS Baba House, a heritage site that was once the home of a Straits Chinese family. PHOTO: ROBOT PLAYGROUND MEDIA The track record for Singapore animated features has been marked by ups and downs. The 3D animated fantasies Legend Of The Sea (2007) and Zodiac: The Race Begins (2006) were acknowledged to be critical and commercial failures, while the animated drama Tatsumi (2011) from celebrated Singapore film-maker Eric Khoo was more positively received on the festival circuit and was selected to be Singapore's entry to the Best Foreign Language category at the 2012 Academy Awards, but did not make the final shortlist. Han says he is aware of the risk he is taking but says that making a film in Singapore, be it live-action or animation, involves taking a bet on one's instincts. 'Who in their right mind would make an animated film? Maybe there's a good reason why no one has made one in so long. Tatsumi was released 14 years ago. But I can't help it. It's what I love,' he says. Producer Justin Deimen calls The Violinist a 'very Singaporean film that crosses cultures'. It is not aimed at the arthouse or prestige end of the market, but will be a film for 'children in higher primary, their parents and their grandparents', he says.
New York Times
13-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
‘Nazi Creek' in Alaska Gets a New Name After More Than 70 Years
Little Kiska Island, at the far western end of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, is a remote speck of land that was heavily contested during World War II. In an attack possibly timed to draw away U.S. forces before the planned invasion of Midway Island, about 1,100 miles northwest of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese military captured Kiska Island, along with Little Kiska, in June 1942. While the Japanese occupation lasted a little more than a year, it left a far longer imprint on the map of the three-square-mile Little Kiska. A one-mile creek that flows southeast into the Pacific Ocean was named Nazi Creek — a designation given by Americans, not by the Japanese. Until last week, when it was officially renamed, the creek was the only geographic feature in the United States with 'Nazi' in its name, according to a United States Geological Survey database of place names. The name was 'arbitrarily applied to features in this area' by the United States Army Air Forces for tactical purposes during World War II, an entry in the Dictionary of Alaska Place Names says. The name appeared on an Army map in 1953. The name was picked because the U.S. military needed a name beginning with 'N' to correspond with the 'N' square on an alphanumeric grid it had superimposed on the area. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
