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 sits down with this year’s contingent commander, MP Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC), to hear his thoughts on the NDP, what it means to Singapore, then, now, and going forward.
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This year’s NDP is personal for MP Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC), commander for our joint PAP-PCF marching contingent. It picks up a thread of family history and is an example of Singaporeans marching forward together in difficult times.
“My own mother was in the very first NDP parade as a Girl Guide,” he shared with Petir. “The one where it rained.”
The first NDP saw performers like MP Zhulkarnain’s mother marching in the morning sun, until the rains came. All were drenched equally in rain and sweat, but continued undeterred. Their simple parade reflected Singapore’s uncomfortable first steps as an independent nation, walking into an uncertain future.
“The circumstances in which we got our independence, where we got out of Malaysia — that separation actually had a lot of uncertainty,” said MP Zhulkarnain. “People had cultural and familial links in Malaysia. And can you imagine being our leaders? You have to get our economy on track, our security on track and our socio-economic structure on track.”
“It’s really going through the dark woods into the vast open sea,” he continued. “But I always believe that rough seas make better sailors. So we embraced the challenge — and if we could overcome that, we will get through future challenges that lie ahead.”
Mr Zhulkarnain leads a diverse group of PAP activists which includes veterans who have marched in the PAP-PCF contingent for about 20 years.
“I’ve met Peter — 70 years old. Mr. Abbas, who’s 75. We have Kim who is a PCF teacher. We’re very close. In fact, even after the parade, we’ve arranged for a meetup. And also for them to come to my Keat Hong National Day dinner, to just relax,” he said.
What is it that keeps these marchers coming back and volunteering year after year?
“The overriding thing is this: They feel thankful to Singapore and fellow Singaporeans, and for the PAP,” said MP Zhulkarnain. “It’s being part of a reminder from the Party that we are grateful for Singaporeans and for Singapore.”
“I think it is important for the PAP to be in the NDP, to show that we are really grateful to be this integral to Singapore, and that we are grateful to Singaporeans for their trust,” he continued. “We’ve had 60 years of nation-building. We are creating much more.”
“Just one Team Singapore.”
Singapore has prospered since the simple early parades. Current-day NDP displays reflect this, with fireworks, high-tech lasers, state-of-the-art military equipment and multiple parade locations. Even then, some things remain the same.
“We started training around April,” MP Zhulkarnain said, detailing the preparations and safety precautions which will make his contingent’s march a splendid display. “As the contingent commander, I make sure everyone’s OK. That we help each other. Making sure we don’t march at the hottest part of the day, taking each other’s dressing and motivating one another.”
The training sessions are full-day affairs. They begin with an 8am-ish meeting and breakfast at Suntec City. A walk to the Padang follows, during which the contingent, in full parade dress, draws their flagpoles and banners. Then, they practice with the other contingents, marching to a steady drumbeat on the Padang for about two hours. They are constantly helped and guided in their drills by instructors from one of the three armed services.
On-site, the contingent does a water parade (like the ones in the army) to stay hydrated, while roving NDP volunteers armed with water sprays, come by occasionally to cool down the marchers.
Then, it’s back to a holding space in Suntec City for rest, replenishment and food before the full dress rehearsal starts again at about 4.30pm.
“And that is actually, to my mind, the real thing, We just have to fully switch on,” said MP Zhulkarnain. “At about 7pm-plus, we’ll be marching out the whole sequence.”
“I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise for you,” he added, laughing, when Petir asked him about what the contingent would look like on NDP day itself. “It’s actually quite unique!”
But he does share his takeaway from the NDP marches: Singaporeans, united and looking out for each other, will stand tall.
“When we march, we march in step. We march forward together,” said MP Zhulkarnain. “If somebody goes higher or slower, it’s not that he is better or worse. It’s just about the whole contingent getting affected.”
“If you think about it, as a community, as one Singapore, if we don’t march in step together, or we don’t look out for one another, or make sure that everything’s in line — then we will fail lah,” he elaborated.
Source: Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim / Facebook
“The contingent carries banners for display, right? But maybe you cannot see your banner while you march, because it’s behind you. So the only person that can tell you whether you are marching the right way or wrong way is the person behind you,” he gave as an example.
“And you need to trust that person to say that ‘Look, senget a bit lah. Make it straight.’. So we need to look out for each other with all the teamwork, all the camaraderie,” continued MP Zhulkarnain.
“In order for us to be outstanding, none of us stands out.” he said. “We stand out not as individuals, but as a unit. Just one Team Singapore.”
Source: Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim / Facebook
