Tan Kah Kee station and the man

A station on the newly opened section of the Downtown line in Singapore is named after Tan Kah Kee and you can see his photo and read more about him in the Old Ford Factory museum.

The Museum is about WII and the Old Ford Factory was the place where the British surrendered to the Japanese. I was shocked to read that the Japanese were outnumbered by the British and were keen to have a fast surrender before the British found out the true facts.

The Japanese had previously invaded China, where Tan Kah Key had been a leader of opposition to them. When they Japanese took over Singapore, top of their hit list was Tan Kah Key, as well as anybody admitting to knowing him.

History turned full circle, and the Japanese in turn surrendered to the British elsewhere on Singapore. Now, many years later, the name of Tan Kah Kee is honoured and remembered by an MRT station name.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.