"What is the nature of colonialism? What does it mean to be a colonised country? What does it mean to behave in a colonial manner? Can we be both part of an independent country and yet still be oppressed like a colonial one? These questions would underpin the conflicts of the final phase of Singapore’s decolonisation. In this episode, PJ Thum discusses the question in the light of the act that was most associated with the tyranny of colonialism: detention without trial. 

Click to learn more about “1987: Untracing the Conspiracy” 

Please send questions, comments, and feedback to thehistoryofsingapore@gmail.com or visit thehistoryofsingapore.com. Support the show at patreon.com/pjthum. For all the previous episodes in this series, search for "History of Singapore" on bfm.my.