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Filem Negara Malaysia

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National Film Department of Malaysia
Filem Negara Malaysia
(FNM)
Jabatan Filem Negara (JFN)
Filem Negara Malaysia logo,[a] used from 1986 until 1994.
Executive agency overview
Formed1 April 1946 (1946-04-01)
Preceding Executive agency
  • Malayan Film Unit (MFU)
    (1946–1963)
Dissolved15 May 2013 (2013-05-15)
Superseding Executive agency
HeadquartersJalan Utara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Parent departmentMinistry of Information, Communication and Culture
Websitewww.filemnegara.gov.my

The National Film Department of Malaysia (Malay: Filem Negara Malaysia), abbreviated FNM, sometimes Jabatan Filem Negara (JFN) or informally the Malaysian Film Unit; was a Malaysian film production house and the government department under the Malaysian Ministry of Communications and Multimedia. It is responsible for the filming and documentation of national events as well as producing factual and unscripted narrative contents.[1][2][3] The film department, which headquartered at Petaling Jaya, Selangor, uses a jumping Malayan tiger as its logo.[4]

Among the main functions of FNM was to spread the information about the policy, programme and achievement of the government and to promote the country through the films produced. Other than that, FNM was tasked to produce and supply high quality documentary films, public service announcement (PSA) and trailers to its clients. FNM was to be the official government film producing organisation with the high international level.[5][6] Being the first film studio to be established in British Malaya (now Malaysia), Filem Negara Malaysia produces around 100 hours of television programming, making it the largest documentary production house in Malaysia and the country's most prominent film department.[7] It earning them numerous local and international awards.[8]

In 2013, Filem Negara Malaysia was merged with the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) to form a sole film agency.[9] Until its merger with FINAS in 2013, Filem Negara Malaysia employs over 10,000 staffs in total, of whom approximately 5,000 worked in creative industry.

History

[edit]

The National Film Department (NFD) was established on 1 April 1946 as the Malayan Film Unit (MFU). It was founded by Mubin Sheppard who was then working in the Department of Public Relations after the World War II ends and uses his own earnings to buy a film equipment from the British military film team which was to be auctioned in Singapore.[10] It began operations upon its establishment and was originally based in an old factory shed in Jalan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.[10] It was a unit under the National Communications Department (Jabatan Perhubungan Raya), thereafter known as the Department of Information.[1][11]

The Malayan Film Unit was renamed as Filem Negara Malaysia on 22 November 1963, two months after the establishment of Malaysia. The first documentary that the department produced under its present name was Kelahiran Malaysia (Birth of Malaysia).

The present National Film Department complex is situated at Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya. It was officiated by the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni Al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail on 24 August 1965.[12][13] In his inaugural speech during the official opening ceremony of the NFD's new complex, Allahyarham Datuk Senu Abdul Rahman, the then Information and Broadcasting Minister, had announced that the ministry decided to incorporate NFD to be one of its departments.[14][1]

By 1967, the department publish a newsreel, Malaysia: A Week in which every week since the beginning of the year, they published newsreels within a week of the events taking place.[15] Also in the same year, Filem Negara announced that it would sold 51 percent of its stake to the Malaysian public in order to be the Malaysia's premiere film corporation.[16]

The department produced a Brunei's first-ever feature film, Gema Dari Menara (Echoes From the Tower) for the Brunei Religious Affairs Department, directed by Mohasbi Ahmad. The film was released on 23 October 1968.[17][18]

Filem Negara Malaysia announced in November 1968 that all documentary and feature films will be produced in color instead of black and white by 1969.[19] The plan for colour films have been discussed in 1963.[20]

On 1 January 1974, the NFD integrated with Radio Televisyen Malaysia to provide "more effective service to the people".[21]

Filem Negara Malaysia remained Malaysia's primary film agency until 1980, when the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) was established following the Government's decision to split the country's film authority into two separate bodies with different roles.[22]

The department in 1983 planned to make full use of its facilities, in which its then-Director-General, Abdul Aziz Wok said that "it should be used to its fullest".[23] In 1984, Filem Negara Malaysia partnered with RTM and the Information Department to produced "short and easy-to-understand" documentaries on Government policies.[24] Also, at the same year, the NFD generated about RM60,000 from films processed at its own laboratory, the P. Ramlee Colour Lab and following the directive issued by the Ministry of Information, it planned to processed more films locally. Its then-Director-General, Mokhtar Daud ruled that it was "not meant to curb film producers and advertisers from processing their films abroad".[25]

The department in March 1986 began to produced more 14 documentay films on development, where each was produced for every states in Malaysia as well as the Federal Territory. It also allocated RM6 million for its activities for 1986.[26] The NFD began to set up a video unit to enhanced its capacities to produced more documentaries and feature films.[27]

On 1 April 1996, Filem Negara Malaysia celebrates its 50th anniversary. At the same time, it produced more documentaries throughout 1996, including World's Wonder Mulu and Ilmu Bekalan Menuju Kecemerlangan.

In March 2002, Filem Negara Malaysia announced a big shift in its leadership. Its Director-General, Syed Hamzah Syed Othman would be retiring from his post and would be replaced by Raja Rozaimie Raja Dalnish Shah effective April 1. Raja Rozaimie previously holds many capacities in the NFD since 1993 before become its DG for 11 years, making him the longest-serving DG in the film department's history.

Between 2002 and 2003, the NFD collaborated with FINAS to co-produced two feature films Embun[28] and Paloh.[29][30]

In November 2012, former Information, Communication and Culture Minister, Rais Yatim announced that FNM and National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) will be merged to form a sole film organization.[31][32] The merger was completed on May 15, 2013 with Filem Negara Malaysia itself renamed as FINAS completely after the combined of both entities. As a result of this merger, about 40% of Filem Negara's staffs moved to FINAS while the remaining 80% of its staffs have been let go. The decision of merger between Filem Negara and FINAS was proposed in 1991, but delayed several times due to legal issues.[33][34]

Governance

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Filem Negara Malaysia is a government department under the Ministry of Information and responsible for documentation of national events and production of Malaysian narrative and documentary screen content. Its purpose is to help Malaysians from all races to understand the problems and ways of living other Malaysians. The department also functioned to combatting illiteracy, promoting and spreading public education and information to the Malaysian communities.[35]

Even with its status as a government-owned film department and despite being funded by the Government of Malaysia, the NFD also operated on semi-commercial lines where it rents its equipment, does processing and printing work for non-official organisations and undertakes production works for outside sponsors.[35]

Branch office

[edit]

NFD has a branch office situated at Kompleks RTM, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuching, Sarawak. Sarawak's NFD branch, which was established in the mid 1960s, used to be the Sarawak Information Department Film Unit with the role of broadcasting and screening films produced by the NFD.

Sarawak's NFD branch has broadened its functions in covering the national events and producing films on Sarawak, Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

Visual identity

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The NFD's corporate logo was created by Gillie Potter, who was then the Art Director at the agency's Motion Pictures Division. He had incorporated the picture of a Malayan tiger in the logo to symbolise activeness, patience and strength. These traits were crucial for the NFD at that time as it was facing many obstacles to prove its capability.[1] Following the name change from Malayan Film Unit to Filem Negara Malaysia in November 1963, a new version of the tiger emblem was adopted.[4]

Act and functions

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Filem Negara Malaysia's functions are clearly defined by an Act of Parliament which is the Functions of Ministries Act, 1969 P.U (A) 126 - Film Division and Production.

Among the functions of the department include:

  • Production of documentary films and trailers
  • Coverage of national events (archive)
  • Storage and restoration of audio visual aids
  • Selling of films and audio visual storage
  • Distribution of the department's produced films
  • Providing filming services
  • The rental of the department's produced films

List of productions

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Following is a list of selected productions from Filem Negara Malaysia's archive and catalogue. Titles in Malay were provided with literal or close English translation.

Films

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  • 1957: Abu Nawas
  • 1968: Gema Dari Menara (Echoes From the Tower) - Brunei's first-ever feature film, produced for Brunei Religious Department
  • 1975: Anak Seluang Jauh Melaut (A Youngster Going Far Away)
  • 1976: Madu Beracun (The Poisonous Honey)
  • 1978: Dayang Suhana
  • 1983: Bila Hati Telah Retak (When the Heart was Broken)
  • 1983: Ke Medan Jaya (To the Field of Victory)
  • 1989: Cempaka Biru (Blue Champak)
  • 1994: Untukmu (For You)
  • 2002: Embun (Dewdrop)
  • 2003: Paloh

Animations

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Hikayat Sang Kancil series

[edit]
  • 1983: Hikayat Sang Kancil (Tales of a Mousedeer)
  • 1984: Sang Kancil dan Sang Monyet (A Mousedeer and a Monkey)
  • 1985: Sang Kancil dan Sang Buaya (A Mousedeer and a Crocodile)

Kisah dan Teladan series

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  • 1986: Arnab yang Sombong (The Arrogant Rabbit)
  • 1986: Singa yang Haloba (The Greedy Lion)
  • 1986: Gagak yang Bijak (The Smart Crow)
  • 1988: Jambo Manja (The Pampered Baby Elephant)
  • 1995: Telur Sebiji Riuh Sekampung (One Egg Makes a Whole Village)
  • 1997: Budi Baik Dibalas Baik (Kindness Begets Kindness)
  • 2001: Bangau Oh Bangau (Stork O Stork)

Documentary films

[edit]

All of Filem Negara Malaysia's documentary films were narrated by uncredited narrators. There are some of its documentaries were narrated by both male and female narrators.

As Malayan Film Unit

[edit]
  • 1949: Semangat Kinta (Kinta Story)
  • 1951: Wanted for Murder
  • 1952: Brunei: The Abode of Peace
  • 1952: Acting on Information
  • 1952: Badminton, Thomas Cup Matches
  • 1953: Before the Wind
  • 1953: A Better Man
  • 1953: Buffaloes for Ploughing
  • 1953: Building Bonnie Babies
  • 1954: Padi Kuncha (Hassan's Homecoming)
  • 1954: Rohani Maju Mulia (Rohani Steps Out)
  • 1955: Youth in Action
  • 1955: Malacca: Then and Now
  • 1955: Golden Queen
  • 1956: Timeless Temiar[36]
  • 1956: Wayang Kulit
  • 1957: Big Kitchen
  • 1957: Misi Merdeka (Merdeka Mission)
  • 1957: Menuju Kemerdekaan (Towards the Independence)
  • 1957: Kemerdekaan Malaya (Merdeka for Malaya)
  • 1958: Ali Finds a Secret
  • 1958: Brunei
  • 1958: Brunei Merayakan (Brunei Celebrates)
  • 1959: Brunei Welcomes Their Majesties
  • 1959: The Big Vote
  • 1959: Anika Warna (Assorted Colours)
  • 1959: Funeral of Sultan Sir Ibrahim
  • 1960: Batu Caves
  • 1961: The Year 1961
  • 1961: Malaya
  • 1961: Aboard for Congo
  • 1961: Bulan Bahasa (The Language Month)
  • 1961: Bahasa Menyatukan Bangsa (Language Unites Race)
  • 1961: Sa-Kali Chuchok Terus Semboh (Yaws in Malaya)
  • 1962: Safar
  • 1962: Lembaran Baru (Life a New)
  • 1962: Borneo Welcomes Tunku
  • 1962: Persetujuan Malaysia (Agreement of Malaysia)
  • 1962: Ashkar Melayu Brunei (Bruneian Malay Soldiers)
  • 1962: Cities of Malaya
  • 1963: Kembali Ka-Brunei (Return to Brunei)
  • 1963: Milestones To Malaysia

As Filem Negara Malaysia

[edit]
  • 1963: Kelahiran Malaysia (Birth of Malaysia)
  • 1963: Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan (National Language Month)
  • 1963: Bahasa Bangaan Bangsa (Language of National Pride)
  • 1964: Kebangkitan Malaysia (The Rise of Malaysia)
  • 1964: Mata Permata (The Gem Eye)
  • 1964: Bintara
  • 1964: Bahasa Peribadi Bangsa (Personal Language of the Nation)
  • 1964: Bapa Malaysia (Founding Fathers of Malaysia)
  • 1964: Blatant Aggression
  • 1965: Seruan Suchi (The Sacred Calling)
  • 1965: Penyaer Akordian (Poet of the Accordian)
  • 1965: Commonwealth in Malaysia
  • 1966: To Regret is Already Too Late
  • 1966: Berkhidmat Memimpin Umat (They Serve to Lead)
  • 1966: Saka Pengharapan (Corridors of Faith)
  • 1966: Tun Mustapha
  • 1966: Bersatu Berjaya (United to Success)
  • 1967: Atap Genting Atap Rumbia (The Thatched Roof)[37]
  • 1967: Antara Dua Jiwa (Between Two Souls)[38]
  • 1969: Sopan Santun Makan Bersuap (The Etiquette Eating Habit)
  • 1969: 1st Asian Highway Motor Rally
  • 1969: The Red Book
  • 1970: Pearl of the Orient
  • 1971: Mara Bersama Rukun Negara (Advanced Together with Rukun Negara)
  • 1971: Benchana Banjir (The Big Flood)
  • 1971: Ranchangan Membasmi Malaria (The Malaria Eradication Programme)
  • 1972: Perjuangan Kami Menentang Penyamun Komunis (Our Struggle to Fight the Communists)
  • 1972: Sinar Bahagia (Light of Happiness)
  • 1973: Gasing (Top Spinning)
  • 1974: Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur the Federal Territory)
  • 1974: Ke Arah Perpaduan (Towards National Unity)
  • 1976: Perginya Negarawan Ulung (Death of a Prominent Statesman)
  • 1977: Keindahan Negeri Sarawak (Fascinating Sarawak)
  • 1978: Bersatu Bertambah Mutu (Unity Improves Quality)
  • 1978: Sayur-Sayuran Pendapatan Lumayan (Vegetables Brings Profit)
  • 1978: Budaya Abadi (Eternal Culture)
  • 1980: Berselang-Seli (Side by Side)
  • 1980: Detik Gemilang Dalam Sejarah[b] (The Glorious Moments in History)
  • 1980: Rukun Islam Kelima: Ibadah Haji (The Fifth Tenets of Islam: The Hajj)
  • 1980: Seni Warisan Silam (Heritage Arts of the Past)
  • 1982: Negeri Sembilan Dalam Era Pembangunan (Negri Sembilan in the Development Era)
  • 1983: Labu Sayong
  • 1984: Dikir Barat
  • 1984: PUSPATI
  • 1985: Gua Niah (Niah Cave)
  • 1985: Masjid-Masjid di Malaysia (Mosques in Malaysia)
  • 1985: Kebajikan Tanggungjawab Bersama[b] (Welfare, Our Responsiblities Together)
  • 1985: Pemindahan Raksasa (The Giant Relocation)
  • 1986: Trez Amigos
  • 1986: Istiadat Perkahwinan Di-Raja Pahang dan Johor[b] (Royal Wedding Ceremony of Pahang and Johore)
  • 1986: Awasi Jerat Dadah (Beware of Dadah)
  • 1987: Dari Desa Ke Kampus (From the Countryside to the Campus)
  • 1987: Malaysia Memerangi Najis Dadah (Malaysia Fights the Dadah)
  • 1988: Keajaiban Tabii (Natural Wonder)
  • 1989: Fruits of Excellence
  • 1990: Jambori Pengakap Antarabangsa Selangor Darul Ehsan 1990 (1990 Selangor International Scouts Jamboree)
  • 1990: Pertemuan di Ambang Adat Lama (Meeting on the Threshold of the Old Customs)
  • 1990: Warna Mu Berseri (Beauty and Grace)
  • 1990: Dalam Kenangan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (In Memory of Tuanku Abdul Rahman)
  • 1990: SUKMA Ke-3 Sarawak (Third SUKMA in Sarawak)
  • 1990: Mandela Pejuang Kebebasan (Mandela the Freedom Fighter)
  • 1991: Secrets of the Natural Wonder
  • 1992: Kejohanan Piala Thomas (Thomas Cup Championship)
  • 1993: Pua Kumbu (Threads of Tradition)
  • 1993: Ekspedisi Rejang (The Rejang Expedition)
  • 1994: Kehidupan Beragama di Malaysia (Malaysia: A Multi-Religious Society)
  • 1995: Gunung Tahan (Mount Tahan)
  • 1996: World's Wonder Mulu
  • 1996: Tebingan Kuching (Kuching Waterfront)
  • 1996: Ilmu Bekalan Menuju Kecemerlangan (Knowledge Towards Excellence)
  • 1998: Taman Negara: Destinasi Alam Semulajadi (Taman Negara: Nature's Paradise)
  • 1999: Hutan Pelindung Alam (Forests the Nature's Guardians)
  • 1999: Satu Abad Industri Perikanan (Centennial of Fisheries Industry)
  • 2000: Ubur-ubur (The Jellyfish)
  • 2000: Citizens of Tomorrow
  • 2000: Industri Berat Negara (The Nation's Heavy Industry)
  • 2001: Meniti Gerbang Kedewasaan (On the Threshold Towards Adulthood)
  • 2001: Parang Ilang: The Traditional Weapon of Sarawak
  • 2002: KLIA
  • 2004: Sistem Raja Berperlembagaan (The Constitutional Monarchy System)
  • 2007: Tunku: Bapa Kita (Tunku: Our Founding Father)

Documentary series

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Kesah Kampong Kita series

[edit]
  • Kesal Kemudian Kerugian (1965)
  • Dewasa Membawa Bahagia (1967)
  • Semangat Padi Baru (1967)
  • Jiwa Merdeka (1969)
  • Keazaman Puncha Kemaamoran (1970)

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Though they adopt a tiger as their main logo, Filem Negara Malaysia also adopted their official abbreviation, FNM as its secondary logo, wherein it has seen on most of its documentary films.
  2. ^ a b c Narrated by both male and female narrators.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Sejarah FNM". Berita Minggu. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Lim: Filem Negara can help unite the young". The Star Online. 25 July 2003. Retrieved 25 July 2003.
  3. ^ "Filem Negara bakal berubah wajah". BERNAMA. 7 April 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b Zainuri Misfar (13 February 2008). "Segarkan semula Filem Negara sejajar lambang harimau". Berita Harian. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Filem Negara harus jadi perbadanan pengeluaran filem2 budaya". Berita Harian Singapura. 22 August 1971. p. 16. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  6. ^ Zain Ariff (19 January 1970). "Tugas Filem Negara masa dulu dan sekarang". Berita Harian Singapura. p. 8. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Senarai karya". Filem Negara Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2 May 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  8. ^ "Pencapaian". Filem Negara Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2 May 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  9. ^ FINAS Dan Filem Negara Digabung Bagi Wujud Perbadanan Perfileman Tunggal Archived 2018-02-12 at the Wayback Machine Umno Online. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  10. ^ a b Zainuri Misfar (23 June 1993). "Bangsal kilang jadi bangunan pertama FNM". Berita Harian. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  11. ^ "The Malayan Film Unit". The Singapore Free Press. 11 November 1960. p. 6. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Seri Paduka akan buka studio baru Filem Negara". Berita Harian. 21 August 1965. p. 5. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  13. ^ "Studio Filem Negara baru di-buka: 'Dua tugas'". Berita Harian. 25 August 1965. p. 1. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  14. ^ "New film unit home". The Straits Times. 14 June 1964. p. 12. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Filem Negara: Newsreels within a week now". The Straits Times. 27 February 1967. p. 7. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  16. ^ "51 peratus saham Filem Negara utk umum". Berita Harian Singapura. 15 December 1967. p. 5. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Filem Negara akan membuat filem chorak keugamaan". Berita Harian. 11 August 1967. p. 1. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  18. ^ "'Gema Dari Menara' untok negara2 Islam". Berita Harian. 4 March 1968. p. 7. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Films by Filem Negara in colour next year". The Straits Times. 6 November 1968. p. 7. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  20. ^ "'Own colour' plan by the Film Unit". The Straits Times. 10 September 1963. p. 5. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  21. ^ "Filem Negara to come under RTM to give better service". New Straits Times. 27 December 1973. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  22. ^ Zainuri Misfar (8 December 2012). "FINAS, FNM mesti tetap hala tuju filem negara". Berita Harian. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  23. ^ J. Anwardi (12 March 1983). "Filem Negara to complement RTM". New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  24. ^ "Joint effort on Govt documentaries". New Straits Times. 14 August 1984. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  25. ^ "$60,00 from Filem Negara's own lab". New Straits Times. 8 June 1985. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  26. ^ "Filem Negara to produce 14 documentaries". New Straits Times. 20 March 1986. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  27. ^ Rahmah Daud (12 January 1986). "Filem Negara to set up video unit". New Straits Times. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  28. ^ Akmal Abdullah (3 March 2001). "FNM, Finas terbitkan Embun". Berita Harian. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  29. ^ Yusof Haslam (16 March 2003). "Filem Negara, Finas buat usaha baik". Berita Minggu. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  30. ^ "Filem Negara diminta terbit lebih banyak dokumentari dan animasi". BERNAMA. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  31. ^ FINAS and Filem Negara Malaysia to merge Archived 2018-02-19 at the Wayback Machine The Malaysian Times (29 November 2012). Retrieved on February 19, 2013.
  32. ^ Finas, Filem Negara To Merge[usurped] Malaysia Digest (29 November 2012). Retrieved on February 19,2013.
  33. ^ Norazmi Abdul Taib (3 November 1991). "Kementerian kaji Filem Negara". Berita Minggu. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  34. ^ Sharifah Fatimah (3 November 1991). "New role for Filem Negara". New Sunday Times. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  35. ^ a b "Films of Malaysia 1966" (PDF). Filem Negara Malaysia. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Timeless Temiar is a fascinating film". The Singapore Free Press. 20 July 1957. p. 3. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  37. ^ "Filem Negara memilemkan 'Atap Genting Atap Rumbia'". Berita Harian Singapura. 5 November 1966. p. 7. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  38. ^ "Drama 'Antara Dua Jiwa' melalui TV Malaysia ta' lama lagi". Berita Harian Singapura. 5 November 1966. p. 7. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
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