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| The Fullerton Hotel photographed in Jan 2022 |
You may not know it, but the Fullerton Hotel that is a major historical site. Located in the city, the hotel was initially a fort named after Robert Fullerton, the first governor of the Straits Settlements (loosely speaking, he was in-charged of the settlements of Singapore, Malacca, Penang and Christmas Islands). Built in 1829, the fort initially overlooked the Singapore river.
The fort was seen as impractical militarily, and was soon demolished in 1873. It was replaced by the Postal Office and Exchange Buildings, which eventually were removed to be replaced by the Fullerton Building in 1928. Initially it hosted the General Post Office, The Exchange, Singapore Club (now Singapore Town Club), the Marine Department, and the Import and Export Department. Later it incorporated other government departments.
What happened during the war
Pre-invasion, the Fullerton Building became a makeshift hospital for Allied causalities. Eventually, the Governor of Singapore, Shenton Thomas, also moved into Fullerton Building as the Japanese had shelled the Government House (currently it is called the Istana).
The Fullerton Building was also the location where General Percival discuss with Thomas about surrendering to the invading Japanese (on 13 February 1942). Mostly unharmed, the building became the headquarters of the Japanese Military Administration Department during the Occupation.
Another significant event happened on 25 June 1942, where the Overseas Chinese Association (OCA) was made to pay $50 million (in Straits Dollars) to atone for the Chinese resistance in Singapore, Malaya and China. To raise that money the OCA decided that all individuals should contribute 8% of the value of their properties exceeding $3,000, and for companies, 5% of their assets.
At the time, the total currency in circulation in Malaya was only $220 million including reserves held by banks, so many Chinese had to sell their assets. The OCA raised only $28 million, and was allowed to borrow $22 million from the Japanese Yokohama Specie Bank at a 6% interest rate.
Post-war
Fullerton Building continued to served as a location for government offices until 1996. In 1997 Sino Land (a Hong Kong company) bought the site and remade it into a hotel. It opened its services in 2000.
In 2015, the Fullerton Hotel was given a National Monument status. This is to recognise its huge role in the history of Singapore.
For more reference:
Infopedia
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