ONE HIGHLIGHT of every National Day Parade (NDP) is our PAP/PCF marching contingent flying their flag high. In the lead-up to the big day, Petir catches up with four longtime PCF marchers, Salmah binte Sujak (Jalan Kayu Branch), Peter Tay (Paya Lebar Branch), Lee Loo Loo (Yew Tee Branch) and Uncle Tan Cheow Aik (Ang Mo Kio-Hougang Branch). We find out what drives them to march yearly in the NDP, and relive some of their biggest Parade memories.
(These oral history interviews have been edited for clarity.)
From left: Peter Tay, Lee Loo Loo, Tan Cheow Aik and Salmah binte Sujak
Petir: Please introduce yourself, and share why you started marching for the PCF.
Peter Tay: 2012 or 2013, I was nominated by Mr Murali [Pillai]. He said, “Peter, you want to go and join the Parade?” Then, happily, I said “Most welcome!”.
Lee Loo Loo: Loo Loo here! I volunteer at Yew Tee Branch. Someone recommended me to join the NDP in 2005. I said “OK, let’s join!”. So that’s been 19 years.
Tan Cheow Aik: (in Mandarin) Hello everyone, I am Tan Cheow Aik, a volunteer at Ang Mo Kio-Hougang Branch. 38 years always at the same place. This year is the ninth time I am marching at the NDP.
Salmah binte Sujak: My name is Salmah binte Sujak. I started marching in 2000. Why I’m here is because I feel the NDP spirit is very enjoyable. It’s a time to meet a lot of our comrades and to do the best we can.
Petir: What were NDP rehearsals like back then? What’s different now?
Loo Loo: We had holding areas near the seaside. Under the bridge. That was my first year joining. The past years I joined had 18 practice sessions each. So now cut to 14 to 16 every Saturday. The difference is that we didn’t have such comfort — aircon! Aircon area was just under the tentage, which is no ballroom. Nothing. Open space. No chairs. We sit on the floor.
Uncle Tan: (in Mandarin) I saw changes in 2016. We were at SportsHub for the first time. Also the only time! It felt different. We weren’t in the Padang, we weren’t on the floating platform. We were in a stadium, so it felt big and grand. We had to adjust our formations and displays, we had to redo them from scratch for this new parade ground. We had aircon that year too, so that was one other difference.
Peter: This year, the gun salute is a bit longer. So it can show around the riverbank. So longer time for us to stand down there. Cannot move, mah. Sedia position! Then the other change is last time we march in two-by-two. But this time we march in almost parallel, 16 contingents. Towards PM (the Prime Minister). Then we move on.
Petir: What’s a big memory you have from past NDPs?
Peter: During 2014. Mr Lee [Kuan Yew] and Mr Goh Chok Tong. We were standing in the Parade. We don’t know who is coming up — and both appeared from the gallery! In that one minute, the whole stadium was thunderous, I tell you.
We were standing in the first line, looking at the gallery. Everyone in the whole marching contingent, eyes welled up. 100 per cent. After the parade, we said to each other “So sad and so happy to see him walking out.” That was the last time we saw Mr Lee publicly.
Then March the following year, he passed on. We were so emotionally touched. To see the man — 90 years old — walking on the gallery, appearing. We know he’s struggling; he’s struggling. Because he just wants you to feel that he’s alright.
Salmah: NDP rehearsals are always when I meet old friends and make new friends from other branches. I’m writing a book about my NDP memories. Just for personal friends and family.
Petir: What feelings do you have about being in the PCF marching contingent?
Salmah: I feel all these years are very special for me. Because when I think of special, the first thing is mindset and our health. If you’re healthy you can go through for the marching or join to take a part. We’re always very happy to incorporate everyone marching together. What we can help, we help.
Peter: PCF is basically an organisation that focuses on educating the young generation from a very young age. Why are they important? Because they are the future of the country. And then we are also engaging in community activities, taking care of the elderly, taking care of people from different walks of life and different backgrounds. And we want to harness that strength and bring it to some common objective.
Loo Loo: There were a few years we had city marches in the night after the Parade ends. We take about 15 minutes to rest. So then we march past Marina Bay Sands. There’s a lot of people watching. And we heard the kids say “Mommy! Mommy! This is my school!” Because of the PCF logo. So we feel very very proud. So we must do better than whatever we can.
