Title
Singapore commemorative keris dagger gifted to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, 1963
Year/Period
16 June 1963
Region
Acquired in Singapore
Object Type
Material
Dimension
Object size: 19.4 x 7.5 x 3.2 cm
Accession No.
2020-00675
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Lee Hsien Loong
Keris blades are traditional symbols of authority and valour in Malay societies across the Malay Archipelago. A metal label on the keris’ scabbard bears the inscription “CHENDRA MATA DARI PENDUDOK PENDUDOK MELAYU KG. BATU BUKIT TIMAH S'PURA. 16-6-63” (Souvenir from the Malay Residents of Kampong Batu, Bukit Timah, Singapore. 16-6-63) and was presented to Lee Kuan Yew while he was campaigning as leader of the People’s Action Party (PAP) during the first parliamentary general elections after Malaysia was formed in 1963.
