Feel History at The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified, an SG60 Capstone Exhibition, which opens from 8 Dec 2025 at the National Library Building
Singapore, 7 December 2025 - Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong today launched the SG60 capstone exhibition, The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified, and the book, The Albatross File: Inside Separation. More than 200 guests attended the launch event at the National Library Building, including families of our founding leaders, former Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament, and civil servants who were involved in the Separation talks and recordkeeping of The Albatross File.
2. The event was also attended by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information; Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information; Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information; and other Cabinet Ministers.
From Merger to Separation
3. Jointly developed by NLB and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), the new permanent exhibition invites visitors to experience our nation’s journey from merger to separation. The exhibition is based on the 488-page book that features two critical historical introductions and previously unreleased excerpts from the oral history interviews with Singapore’s key founding leaders, including the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Dr Goh Keng Swee. The book also features 23 newly declassified documents from the original Albatross file, including Cabinet Papers from 1964 and 1965, and Dr Goh’s handwritten notes of his discussion with Malaysian leaders, offering rare insights into the challenges and ideals that shaped the creation of contemporary Singapore. Please refer to Annex A for more details about the book.
4. Visitors to the exhibition can relive history through first-person narratives from our founding leaders and get up close with thoughtfully curated artefacts from The Albatross File, including original handwritten notes and oral histories from Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Dr Goh Keng Swee. Other highlights at the exhibition include an interactive wall that brings visitors through a countdown of the pivotal months, days and hours leading up to Separation, and a cinematic retelling of the key moments using archival footage and oral history interviews. Through the four interactive sections – Atlas, Room, Records, and ChatBook – visitors can look forward to an introspective and emotional experience, while gaining a more nuanced understanding and appreciation of Singapore’s journey to independence. Refer to Annex B for more details about the exhibition.
5. Fuller versions of the oral histories of select key players involved in Singapore’s Separation will also be made available for listening via a satellite installation located at the lobby of the National Library Building from 7 Dec 2025, as well as via a listening booth in the Central Library at B1 later this month.
Book your free tickets today
6. Ticket bookings for The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified are open and can be reserved at https://go.gov.sg/albatrosstickets. Admission is free, and access to the ticketed experience is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The experience will take approximately 60–90 minutes and is recommended for visitors aged 10 and above.
7. To stay updated on the latest from The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
End
Jointly issued by NLB and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information
For media queries, please contact:
Burson
Nicia Leong (Ms)
Email: nicia.leong@bursonglobal.com
Phone: 9382 1471
MDDI
Name: Olivia Kam (Ms)
Email: olivia_kam@mddi.gov.sg
Phone: 9638 6556
About NLB
NLB nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore's history through its rich collections in Singapore and the region.
NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services, and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
For more information, please visit the NLB website, and NLB’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
About The Ministry of Digital Development and Information
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) drives Singapore’s digital development in four key domains — the economy, government, security, and society. MDDI oversees the development of the infocomm technology, cybersecurity, and media sectors; the Government’s digitalisation initiatives; and the national library, national archives, and public libraries. The Ministry is also responsible for effective public communications, and the Government’s information and public communication policies. Our mission is to engage hearts and minds and build a thriving digital future for all.