Book Launch of “The Fajar Generation”

By Amanda Lian

The Fajar Generation: The University Socialist Club and the Politics of Postwar Malaya and Singapore

The book launch of this long awaited book was held at the Alumni Medical Centre on the 14 November 2009, Saturday from 3pm to 6pm. And while most of you all are out spending some leisurely time with friends and family, Temasek Review went to attend this launch by doing the legwork for you.

This book in question, the Fajar Generation, contains essays written by Dr. Lim Hock Siew, Dr. Poh Soo Kai, Mr. Tan Kok Fang, Mr. Tan Jing Quee and Mr. Koh Kay Yew. The editors of the book are Dr. Poh Soo Kai, Mr. Tan Jing Quee and Mr. Koh Kay Yew.

Upon reaching the function room on the second level, we were greeted by many well wishers and we also noticed brisk sales of books.

The star of the event, the Fajar Generation was in fact sold out by the time it was due for the launch to start. There were lots of activity in the room until everyone was quiet and seated in the available seats (late-comers had no seats as the event was well received).

At 3pm sharp, the event’s moderator, Mr. R. Joethy, announced the beginning of the event and thus, we were showed a 6 minute video clip which within 3 songs, displayed the various contributors to the book, departed or alive and to send the appropriate acknowledgements and dedications.

After the video clip, the editors were all invited on stage to officially launch the book. Hand in hand, the curtain was pulled down and we all witnessed that very moment in excitement.

One by one, the editors took their respective places on the stage and the various speeches began.

First up was Dr. Lim Hock Siew, who shared his experience when he was detained under the ISD without trial and how he spent his time while in prison. He was detained under operation Cold Store for 20 years and explained how he managed to cope with it while touching on the Fajar 8 case back in those days.

The speech of Mr. Tan Kok Fang followed, albeit in Mandarin. He explains that it was mainly because he came from a Chinese-educated background and there were individuals in the audience who only understands Mandarin and therefore, the speech was geared towards that population. He spoke fondly about the book and also about the aid of students back then from the Chinese Middle School which helped shape the experience he had.

Mr. Tan Jing Quee spoke mainly in English accompanied with snippets of Mandarin within his speech. He mentioned about the formation of the University Socialist Club in 1953 and also the various sedition trials which occurred due to the case on 13 May 1954. He also went into the details of the Fajar 8 trial, the defending lawyer and the launch of the PAP (People’s Action Party).

Due to time constraints, Mr. Koh Kay Yew, one of the editors, gave up his opportunity to speak to the audience. After the speech by Dr. Poh Soo Kai, which was a mixture of humour and factual events and included his findings and experiences, the question and answer session ensued.

Various questions like “After 50 years, are we more equal and just?” and “Is there an urgent need for another Fajar Generation? Will there be one?” were voiced out by the audience which included Mr. Patrick Low and Mr. Peter Lim.

One interesting question posed by a Ms. Christine Lim to Dr. Lim Hock Siew was “How did you all keep yourself sane?”

Dr. Lim Hock Siew’s answer?

“Keep your mind focused on what is right and wrong. And always know why you are here and tell yourself you have to go on.”

The book launch was followed by a book signing conference by the editors and reception followed at the poolside. Dr. Chee Soon Juan and Mr. Kenneth Jeyaretnam were spotted at the event too with a small group of members of the opposition parties.

Temasek Review managed to have a short interview with Dr. Lim Hock Siew and Dr. Poh Soo Kai. That will be in another article altogether. The juicy part? As quoted from Dr. Poh Soo Kai, “we are getting on in years.”

About the Author:

Amanda Lian graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English Language, Creative writing and Child Psychology from the University of Western Australia. She worked as a staff writer for Hardwarezone and is currently an editor at NetGecko Pte Ltd.