Kah Seng Loh
The University of Western Australia, School of Social Sciences, Department Member
‘Theatres of history and memory’ is a research and documentation project which began in 2017 to uncover and highlight the industrial heritage of modern Singapore. Singapore is especially interesting as one of the first countries in Asia... more
‘Theatres of history and memory’ is a research and documentation project which began in 2017 to uncover and highlight the industrial heritage of modern Singapore. Singapore is especially interesting as one of the first countries in Asia to make the transformation from a colonial
entrepot port to an industrial export economy in the 1960s and 1970s. On the other hand, Singapore’s experience is also informative because it is a land-scarce city-state where many old industrial sites have been redeveloped, making it additionally difficult to conserve tangible industrial heritage.
entrepot port to an industrial export economy in the 1960s and 1970s. On the other hand, Singapore’s experience is also informative because it is a land-scarce city-state where many old industrial sites have been redeveloped, making it additionally difficult to conserve tangible industrial heritage.
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Theatres of History and Memory: Industrial Heritage of 20th Century Singapore is a research project which seeks to traverse new ground in the field of industrial heritage. Drawing from historian Raphael Samuel’s useful concept, ‘theatres... more
Theatres of History and Memory: Industrial Heritage of 20th Century
Singapore is a research project which seeks to traverse new ground in
the field of industrial heritage. Drawing from historian Raphael Samuel’s
useful concept, ‘theatres of memory’, the project makes the case for an
intangible form of industrial heritage.
Singapore is a research project which seeks to traverse new ground in
the field of industrial heritage. Drawing from historian Raphael Samuel’s
useful concept, ‘theatres of memory’, the project makes the case for an
intangible form of industrial heritage.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Jurong Industrial Estate is a symbol and metaphor for Singapore’s transformation from a colonial entrepôt port to an industrial export economy in the 1960s and 1970s. It is regularly referred to as ‘Goh’s Folly’, so-named after Goh Keng... more
Jurong Industrial Estate is a symbol and metaphor for Singapore’s transformation from a colonial entrepôt port to an industrial export economy in the 1960s and 1970s. It is regularly referred to as ‘Goh’s Folly’, so-named after Goh Keng Swee, Singapore’s Minister for Finance at the time and the architect of the project. Used in the context of Jurong’s development into a vibrant industrial hub, the epithet repudiates accusations of bad economics and demonstrates the sound thinking of Goh, and by extension the Singapore government. This official imaginary of Jurong is central to Singapore’s economic history.
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The public housing problem in Singapore raises two basic questions about public housing. One, given the big role of the market, can we still speak of public, rather than semi-private, housing? Second, should Singaporeans continue to look... more
The public housing problem in Singapore raises two basic questions about public housing. One, given the big role of the market, can we still speak of public, rather than semi-private, housing? Second, should Singaporeans continue to look to a public approach to housing? A scrutiny of the last 50 years of public housing provides some insights into these questions.
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As the Singapore government reacts sharply to the research on Operation Coldstore, even claiming that ‘revisionist’ historians are seeking to undermine its legitimacy, it is timely to take stock of the research. As this annotated... more
As the Singapore government reacts sharply to the research on Operation Coldstore, even claiming that ‘revisionist’ historians are seeking to undermine its legitimacy, it is timely to take stock of the research. As this annotated bibliography will show, the documentary trail of Coldstore is fairly straightforward. The recent research has built on the pioneering work of British imperial historians, which demonstrated that there was no case for the arrests and that Britain had bowed to political pressure in conducting the security operation.
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This brief note considers whether human rights in Southeast Asia after the Second World War should be viewed as part of the ‘universal’, same as those in the West, or as unique to the region and its peoples, with their own bases, forms... more
This brief note considers whether human rights in Southeast Asia after the Second World War should be viewed as part of the ‘universal’, same as those in the West, or as unique to the region and its peoples, with their own bases, forms and histories. The social history of postwar squatters in Southeast Asia suggests how a narrative of interests-rights might be written. This history will be based on people’s worldviews and relationships with those in power. Human rights will jostle for a place with other interests, sometimes gaining the upper hand, at other times subordinate to them, but always entangled.
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To cite this article: Seng, Loh Kah. The Makers and Keepers of Singapore History [Book Review][online]. Oral History Association of Australia Journal, The, No. 32, 2010: 107-108. Availability:< http://search. informit. com.... more
To cite this article: Seng, Loh Kah. The Makers and Keepers of Singapore History [Book Review][online]. Oral History Association of Australia Journal, The, No. 32, 2010: 107-108. Availability:< http://search. informit. com. au/documentSummary; dn= 856279175318940; ...
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Presented at the forum on 2009 Year in Review, organised by The Online Citizen, 29 December 2009
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Presented at Teaching History in Singapore: The State of the Craft
A Roundtable Presented by the Singapore Heritage Society
Monday 30 November 2009, National Library Building
By Loh Kah Seng
A Roundtable Presented by the Singapore Heritage Society
Monday 30 November 2009, National Library Building
By Loh Kah Seng
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TEACHING HISTORY IN SINGAPORE: THE STATE OF THE CRAFT
A Roundtable Presented by the Singapore Heritage Society
Monday 30 November 2009, National Library Building
Opening remarks by Loh Kah Seng
A Roundtable Presented by the Singapore Heritage Society
Monday 30 November 2009, National Library Building
Opening remarks by Loh Kah Seng
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Book Launch at KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, 15 August 2009.