18/07/2013

Vandalism of national monument 'shows youth disconnect' | News | Singapolitics

Singapolitics
Singapolitics > News > Story HOME NEWS

Menu

Vandalism of national monument VIEWS 'shows youth disconnect' FEAT URES

Posted on Apr 26, 2013 7:27 PM Updated: Apr 26, 2013 7:27 PM

FAST FACT S #SgPol

Like 37

More Share Share Share Share

Heritage experts say Tuesday's vandalism of the Cenotaph points to a growing disconnect between Singapore's younger generation and the significance of national monuments. This is understandable, considering that the public's consciousness of national monuments fades with time, said Dr Chua Ai Lin, a historian and vice-president of the Singapore Heritage Society. "In the case of the Cenotaph, older generations who lived through World War II and their children would have a better grasp of its significance. But it gets harder passing down memories after two or three generations." The Cenotaph at Esplanade Park, which was erected in 1920, honours those who were lost or died in the two world wars. On Tuesday, it was spray-painted with the word "democracy" in red with a big "X" over the dates "1914-1918", which mark the World War I period.

GALLERY EVENT S

The Cenotaph was also v andalised last Decem ber, when the dates ''1 9 3 9 -1 9 4 5'', m arking World War II, were crossed out in black. Heritage experts say Tuesday 's v andalism of the Cenotaph points to a growing disconnect between Singapore's y ounger generation and the significance of national m onum ents. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF BERTRAND TAN

The National Heritage Board has called it the most serious act of vandalism on a gazetted monument so far. The police are investigating. This is not the first time the national monument, which was gazetted in 2010, has been defaced. The previous incident took place in December last year, when the dates "1939-1945", marking World War II, were crossed out in black. "It's really sad that the culprits don't know what the monuments stand for, and even more sad if they knew what they meant and continued to do so anyway," said Changi Museum director Jeya Ayadurai, 52. "We need to recognise special dates and teach our soldiers and people about the important monuments in our midst." Secondary 4 student Jaswin John, 17, may be unable to fully relate to the suffering of the men who died in the two world wars, but said vandalism of historic monuments is "clearly disrespectful". Mr Krishna Ram, 20, who will start his national service next month, added: "The vandals must understand that the soldiers fought for our freedom."
www.singapolitics.sg/news/vandalism-national-monument-shows-youth-disconnect 1/5

18/07/2013

Vandalism of national monument 'shows youth disconnect' | News | Singapolitics

T A GS: V A NDA LISM A ND CENOT A PH NEXT ST ORY:

MND accept s recommendat ions t o improve animal welfare

Like

Add New Comment

Required: Please login below to com m ent.

Post as

Showing 0 comments
Sort by

Popular now

Subscribe by em ail

Subscribe by RSS

Real-tim e updating is paused. (Resum e)

com m en ts powered by DISQUS

RELATED STORIES
Security officer charged with v andalising Cenotaph

POLITICAL TWEETS

www.singapolitics.sg/news/vandalism-national-monument-shows-youth-disconnect

2/5

18/07/2013

Vandalism of national monument 'shows youth disconnect' | News | Singapolitics

NEA @NEAsg 3-hour PSI is 23. Issued 5am. bit.ly/MSSpsi #sghaze Expand NEA @NEAsg

42m

42m

24-hour PSI is 21-27. Issued 5am. bit.ly/MSSpsi #sghaze

The Reform Party @thereformparty Predcited MRT lines for 2030. pic.twitter.com/BKZtAvoqeT fb.me/2xVBR4FeR

1h

MOST POPULAR
By -election ruling still giv es PM discretion

Cleaning dispute hawker representativ e is PAP member Second PAP MP takes issue with The Real Singapore S'pore's sov ereign right to decide social norms must be defended WP's Low stands by MPs, say s V iv ians attack not good politics

www.singapolitics.sg/news/vandalism-national-monument-shows-youth-disconnect

3/5

18/07/2013

Vandalism of national monument 'shows youth disconnect' | News | Singapolitics

MOST COMMENTED

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

PM Lee's full statement on WP MPs' conduct WP's Low stands by MPs, says Vivians attack not good politics Party political battle or question of integrity? WP accused of being untruthful in hawker centre cleaning saga Vivian vs Workers' Party: What's at stake?

DON'T MISS
Cleaning dispute hawker representativ e is PAP m em ber

Second PAP MP takes issue with T he Real Singapore

HDB coffee shops are not District 10 bungalows

Judgm ent upholds the rule of law

By -election ruling still giv es PM discretion

www.singapolitics.sg/news/vandalism-national-monument-shows-youth-disconnect

4/5

18/07/2013

Vandalism of national monument 'shows youth disconnect' | News | Singapolitics

C opyright 2013 Singapore Pre ss Holdings Ltd. C o. R e gn No. 198402868E. All rights re se rve d. About Us Te rm s and C onditions

www.singapolitics.sg/news/vandalism-national-monument-shows-youth-disconnect

5/5