Albatross File exhibition draws crowds on opening day
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The free exhibition is based on a collection of previously classified Cabinet papers and documents kept by then Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee from 1964.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Koh Ming Lun
Follow topic:
- New National Library exhibition, "The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified," unveils declassified documents, detailing Singapore's separation from Malaysia.
- Older Singaporeans recalled the fear of the 1964 race riots and learn about secret negotiations, impacting family decisions and shaping Singapore's founding leaders' views.
- The exhibition uses technology like AI chatbots, drawing mixed reactions regarding accuracy, and challenges historical understandings for both Singaporeans and Malaysians.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – During the 1964 race riots, the Chinese families in Ms Suzie Quek’s kampung agreed that they would beat their pots and pans at the first sign of an approaching mob, so that they could quickly band together for safety.
On Dec 8, 2025, as she watched a dramatised retelling of the turbulent months before the Separation, memories of the fear caused by that metallic din came rushing back to the retired pharmacist.
“I was terrified whenever I heard the noise. Although I did not know what was happening, I knew that trouble was brewing,” said Ms Quek, now 67.
The 22-minute film is one of four sections of The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified, a new permanent exhibition at the National Library Building that opened to the public on Dec 8.
The free exhibition is based on a collection of previously classified Cabinet papers and documents kept by then Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee
When The Straits Times visited the exhibition in the morning, it was well-attended, with about 150 visitors across the four sections within the first hour. As noon approached, queues began to form outside the exhibition as visitors waited for their allotted time slot.
A National Library Board (NLB) spokesperson said that as at 2pm, 1,500 people had registered to attend the exhibition on opening day, and nearly 16,000 tickets had been booked.
The film was a particularly popular section for the visitors, with many waiting patiently outside the screening room for their turn.
Older Singaporeans at the exhibition said the 1964 riots were something they vividly remembered, and the exhibition showed they indelibly shaped the thinking of Singapore’s founding leaders as well.
Mr Alan Soon, 74, said he remembered people being very anxious about the riots, and “the feeling then was that it was created by people from outside (of Singapore), not internally”.
“The Malays in my auntie’s kampung told her not to worry – if anything happened, they told her they would protect her,” said the retired human resources executive.
Mr Soon was rather surprised to learn how important it was to keep the negotiations a secret from the British, as they might have intervened if they had caught wind of it.
Mr Bala Subramaniam, 69, said the exhibition was interesting as it presented the full sequence of events that led up to Singapore’s independence, and reinforced for him that separation was ultimately a good outcome for the country.
The city-state’s decision to go its own way put his parents at their own crossroads: The family was living in Malaysia, but had permanent residency in Singapore.
“After Separation, my dad had to leave his job in Malaysia because they told him that the job had to be handed over to a Malaysian,” said the retired civil servant.
“Because he was an immigrant from India, he wanted to go back to India. However, my mother was very firm that we should stay in Singapore and have us continue our education here.”
Visitors at The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified exhibition at the National Library Building on Dec 8.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Others, like Mr Linus Poon, 54, were impressed by the technology used at the exhibition.
“The touchscreen transparent panels displayed information clearly. The atmosphere and the whole decor were also really well put together,” the investor said.
For Bosco Tan, 11, a chatbot powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) was the highlight. The bot draws from the book The Albatross File: Inside Separation
“I thought the exhibition was quite nice, especially the room where I could ask an AI chatbot questions and learn more about the Separation,” said Bosco, who was at the exhibition with his father.
The Primary 5 pupil asked the chatbot some questions he had from watching the film, such as why the Malaysian leaders considered arresting Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Mr Abner Then, 22, however, was sceptical about the use of generative AI for the exhibition.
“Although the use of a large language model is innovative, I worry that the chatbot might not be accurate or that it might be biased,” the final-year data science and analytics undergraduate at NUS said.
The NLB spokesperson told ST that there is far less risk of the chatbot providing erroneous responses as compared to public generative AI tools. This is as the chatbot was trained with a controlled data set comprising authoritative sources, including the Albatross File book, and a curated list of materials from NLB collections.
The exhibition was also a draw for non-Singaporeans, such as Mr John Lukes, 83.
The American, who has been a permanent resident here for 26 years, said he was keen to learn more about the Republic’s history.
The retired regional sales manager said the most surprising thing for him was the clash of ideologies between a Malay Malaysia championed by the federal government, and a Malaysian Malaysia that Mr Lee and the Malaysian Solidarity Convention had fought for.
“I was also amazed at the secrecy and the back and forth that went on in the Separation discussions,” he said, adding that he looked forward to visiting again when it was less crowded.
The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified is a new permanent exhibition at the National Library that opened to the public on Dec 8.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Mr Jayden Tan, 23, a Malaysian studying at NUS, said that the exhibition challenged his understanding of historical relations between the two nations.
“We learnt about Singapore’s separation from Malaysia very briefly in our school. It was something that the syllabus glossed over,” the final-year data science and analytics undergraduate said.
“I always thought that it was a unilateral decision forced onto Singapore. Malaysia wanted to kick Singapore out because Lee Kuan Yew urged for a Malaysian Malaysia,” he said, adding that he would recommend his friends and family members in Malaysia to visit the exhibition.
While admission is free, access is ticketed. The exhibition is recommended for those aged 10 and above, and the experience takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
Those interested can book their tickets at
Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we said that there is little risk of the chatbot providing erroneous responses. NLB has clarified that there is far less risk of the chatbot providing erroneous responses compared to public generative AI tools. We are sorry for the error.
