A nation’s birth story, revisited through freshly released interviews.

A major new book and permanent exhibition at the National Library reopens the story of Singapore’s separation from Malaysia in 1965.

The Albatross File: Inside Separation draws on newly declassified Cabinet papers, handwritten notes by Dr Goh Keng Swee, and oral history accounts to examine what was long seen as a sudden rupture.

Joining the conversation is Mr Janadas Devan, Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, who coordinated the creation of the book.

We explore why these records are being released now, what Singaporeans still misunderstand about separation, and how negotiated settlement differs from the idea of forced expulsion.

The discussion humanises the leaders involved and political pressures on both sides of the divide.

Hosted by Michelle Martin.

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