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Straits Times

60 Singapore Objects

Mr Said, could you tell us the day, describe the day when the National Anthem was first played, on the Padang, I believe. It was, for the first time, it was for the children choir singing on the ground at a rehearsal. And then in 1959, the official ceremony of Singapore Merdeka. I forget the date, you can find all the data. It was conducted also with the support of Mr Paul Abisheganaden. So, at that time, I invited my father from Jakarta to attend the ceremony. So, I sent my wife to Jakarta, and she brought him here to see. Then he was, he was the guest of Mr Rajaratnam. He was put on the top floor of the city council, sitting together with Mrs Rajaratnam. But unfortunately, my father could not speak English, could not speak Malay, and speak only Minangkabau, so they give only signals, gestures and so on with their hands. But after that, after the ceremony... How old was your father then? At that time, 101. I cannot reach it, 101. He can walk from my place, Joo Chiat Place, he walked for prayer to the Sultan Mosque. So, he came here. So, after the ceremony, we all went upstairs, including Othman Wok, who was the chief of the Utusan Melayu. And all the other press also. So then I asked my father, "What do you think now?" He said, "You are right. I was wrong. I was too orthodox at that time." So … That he ... he said you were proven right in pursuing a musical career? Ah, yes. So, he said now he is starting to love music. Good. "So, what do you think of the ceremony?" "Maybe this is the first time and the last time," he said, "Because I am now 101." And all this was published in the Utusan Melayu, which I lost. The paper cutting lost. So, after that, he embraced me and, of course, I am glad and sad also. So, I got tears in my eyes. But I thank God it is all over now. So I throw... as if I throw one stone to two birds. In the first place, I conquered the heart of my father. Secondly, I reached the ... I'm in the top of music career.