October 1997
UP
CLOSE AND PERSONAL
A Gathering of International Singaporeans On 5 July 1997, Cambodia plunged
into turmoil once again with the outbreak of fighting between forces loyal
to the first Prime Minister, Prince Norodom Ranariddh and the troops of
the second Prime Minister, Hun Sen. In the next five days, events that
took place in Phnom Penh left an unforgettable impression on me and probably
many other Singaporeans in the country. It was my first real experience
of war. Like many other Singaporeans, I was caught right in the middle
of two warring factions. However, what was most significant about the whole
episode was the manner in which the Singapore Club (Phnom Penh) and the
Singapore Embassy rallied and provided support and assistance to the Singaporean
community caught in the crisis.
On the eve of the eruption of hostilities, I was at the house of Mr Bob Yap (President of the Singapore Club). Mr Freddie Oh (First Secretary of the Singapore Embassy), Mr Foo J. W. (co-ordinator) and several colleagues of Mr Yap were also present. We discussed the tense security situation in Phnom Penh and anticipated the worst. In less than four hours after we left Mr Yap’s home, heavy movement of troops began in and around the city. This meant that fighting between rival forces could erupt any time. The first shots were heard at around 11.30 am on 5 July 1997. This was followed by artillery bombardment and shooting throughout the day. I lived with another Singaporean, Mr David Joo, and a Cambodian who worked for me. As fighting escalated between rival forces, we found ourselves in the middle of the crossfire. A number of rounds from some light tanks exploded within metres of our residence. Some nearby houses were razed to the ground. Every artillery round that exploded near our house resulted in a vibration of the window glasses. My Cambodian worker sat shivering in one corner of the room. With every shot, there was fear that the next round may just land in our premises. It was the longest day of our lives. We received some respite when night fell. The fighting stopped. However, we had very little sleep or rest as we frantically contacted other Singaporeans to ensure that they were safe. The second day began where the first had left off. Firing resumed at about 5.30 am and the fighting continued through the day. The night again provided some respite, albeit temporary. As the forces loyal to the second Prime Minister took control of the city, the fighting slowed down. However, looting started on the third day of the crisis. Many shops, factories and warehouses were damaged. People were also robbed at gunpoint in the streets. Thousands of panic-stricken Cambodians abandoned their homes and headed for the countryside to seek refuge.  At the evacuation centre, Singaporeans were given food and water. Although many of the Singaporeans went without sleep for nights, their spirits were high. They were soon briefed on the evacuation plan. On 9 July 1997, about 450 Singaporeans and foreigners were evacuated from Phnom Penh by C-130 planes of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. The safe and orderly evacuation of Singaporeans from Phnom Penh was
the result of months of careful planning by the Singapore Embassy,
the Singapore Club and concerned Singaporeans. When signs of instability
became apparent at the start of the year, the staff of the Embassy and
Singaporeans met regularly to discuss the situation. The Singaporean community
was advised to keep in touch with one another. In mid-April, the Singapore
Club and the Singapore Embassy jointly conducted a registration exercise
for Singaporeans in Cambodia. During the registration, Singaporeans were
advised to stock up on supplies of food and water, and to familiarise themselves
with the designated rendezvous points in the event of a crisis. About 20
members of the Singapore Club were appointed by the Embassy as wardens
to plan and co-ordinate the evacuation. Each warden was responsible for
a group of Singaporeans in the country. A wireless communication system
was also set up in anticipation of a possible communication disruption
during a crisis. All possible evacuation routes by air, road, river and
sea were carefully studied. When the crisis occurred, the plan was executed
and it worked very well.
 
 The Singapore (Philippines) Association, a Club with more than 100 Singaporeans in Manila, raised Php50,000 (S$2,800) for KAKAMMPI Inc. This non-government organisation assists returned overseas contract workers and their dependants. According to Ms Abby Tan, the then president of the Association, the donation will help finance a five-day skills training course on micro-enterprises and livelihood projects for 30 of KAKAMMPIís members. The Association believes that KAKAMMPI is an organisation worthy of support.  The charity projects carried out by the Clubs speak volumes of the overseas
community of Singaporeans. They also go a long way toward dispelling the
myth that Singaporeans are materialistic with little time for charity.
Kudos to you all!
CONNEXIONS CHALLENGEThe answers to CONNEXIONS CHALLENGE are:-
First: Theresa Shan Knijpinga from the Netherlands. She scored 18 out of 20 marks. Second: Elsie Doong from Thailand. She scored 17 marks. Third: Lily Adele Mesenas from the United Arab Emirates. She scored 17 marks.
If you are not a winner this time around, there will be another opportunity
in the next issue of CONNEXIONS. Hereís a clue on the next quiz
- Have you been reading CONNEXIONS since it was first published in April
1995?
Seminar for Relocating SingaporeansThe half-day event saw presentations by the Central Provident Fund, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Housing and Development Board, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education. It attracted more than 320 participants. The participants found the presentations useful and relevant. The discussions during the question and answer session were also very lively. If your Club members would like to have the presentation papers of the
speakers, please do let us know. We will be happy to forward them to your
Club.
Camp Rainbow
Blossoms |
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Club Singapura Inc. (Los Angeles)
Persatuan Melayu Victoria Inc. (Melbourne)
Singapore American Business Association (San Francisco)
Singapore Association in Indonesia (Jakarta)
Singapore United Kingdom Association (London)
The Singapore Association (Hong Kong)
Singapore Womenís Group, Jakarta
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Singapore Business Association of Queensland,
Inc.
Singapore Nanjing Businessmen Group
The Batam Singapore Club
The Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong)
If you are aware of other Singaporeans who have come together to set up a Club or are planning to do so, please do let the SIF know. We would like to get in touch with them.
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