Thia is the Istana. It is the home of the president of Singapore, currently SR Narthan. It occupies over 40 hectares of land along Orchard Road. It means a lot to me as it is a precious and important part of Singapore's history and heritage, and has borne witness to Singapore's many historical milestones. For example, during the Japanese invasion of 1942, deliberate shelling destroyed the small ceremonial guns on the steps of Government House and left the building and its grounds in a state of ruin. Then Governor Sir Shenton Thomas and Lady Daisy Thomas loyally remained in Government House with their servants until the very last moments. When they finally evacuated, they took with them the Union Flag that had been flying in front of Government House and carefully kept it hidden throughout the Japanese Occupation. During the occupation, the house was occupied by Field Marshal Count Terauchi, commander of the Japanese Southern Army, and Major General Kawamura, commander of the Singapore Defense Forces.
The Istana building was built by the British Colonial government to house its governors. Completed in 1869, it was then known as the Government House. The building was handed over to the Singapore Government when Singapore attained self government in 1959, and renamed Istana (“Palace” in Malay).
It is part of my identity as it is the most significant part of my neighbourhood. In my spare time, I would go to the Istana to admire its structure and if I was lucky, witness the changing of guards.
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