The Albatross File: Inside Separation [Standard Edition]

In that file, he collected Cabinet papers as well as his own handwritten notes of
his conversations with Malaysian leaders, leading to Singapore’s separation from
the federation. Almost all the material in the Albatross file is being published
here for the first time, together with the oral history recollections of Singapore's
founding leaders.

Singaporeans can read the thoughts, fears and hopes of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and
his comrades as they led the island-city to unexpected independence on 9 August
1965. Refusing to be intimidated and heedless of the personal risks they faced, they
insisted on either a Malaysian Malaysia or negotiated constitutional rearrangements.

As unexpected as it was — and for many of Singapore’s leaders then, an outcome
they did not wish — Separation turned out to be “the best thing that ever happened
to Singapore”.