Gleaming white against the lush greenery of the Istana grounds stands Sri Temasek. It is a bungalow with a story etched in its walls. Sri Temasek means “splendour of Temasek” in Malay. Temasek was the old Javanese name for Singapore.
Designed by John Frederick Adolphus McNair, Sri Temasek was completed in 1869. McNair also designed the Istana. The bungalow served as the Colonial Secretary’s residence for 90 years. The Colonial Secretary was the second-highest-ranking official in the Straits Settlements.
Imagine the secretaries and their families living here. They entertained guests and conducted official business within these walls. Sri Temasek witnessed a steady stream of colonial life. It was a home and a hub of power.
After Singapore gained self-rule in 1959, Sri Temasek was refurbished for Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. However, the Lee family chose to remain at their Oxley Road home. They desired a more modest lifestyle for their children. Yet, Sri Temasek’s significance only grew.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Sri Temasek became a prominent venue for official events. Discussions on the merger with Malaya took place here. Receptions were held for officials involved in the 1962 merger referendum. In 1965, ministers gathered at Sri Temasek to sign the separation agreement. For security, Lee Kuan Yew’s family stayed here during the week of the announcement.
Kings, presidents, and prime ministers graced Sri Temasek. King Hussein of Jordan and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt were among the distinguished visitors. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India and British Prime Minister Edward Heath also visited. Even American Senator Edward Kennedy was welcomed here. In 1983, Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen’s body lay in state at Sri Temasek. Goh Chok Tong even lunched here with ministers before his first cabinet meeting as prime minister in 1990.
Sri Temasek is a blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles. The white building has a red pyramid roof. A front portico features three Tuscan columns. Deep verandahs surround the house. The second-storey balustrades show figure-eight patterns. Green Chinese breeze blocks adorn the porch with various designs.
Arches of delicate fretwork characterize the ground-floor verandah. Malay-style fascia lies beneath the roof eaves. Doorways feature swinging pintu pagars wooden half-doors for privacy. Inside, the foyer has marble floors. A staircase displays Asian swastikas on the balustrade. An upstairs drawing room features a round wooden moon gate. The moon gate is a traditional Chinese feature.
Though it fell into disrepair, Sri Temasek was restored in 2008. The restoration project won an Architectural Heritage Award. Essential structural repairs were completed. Fine architectural details were restored and recreated. The former servants’ quarters became a heritage gallery.
Sri Temasek continues to serve Singapore. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered his National Day message here in 2008. The funeral for Kwa Geok Choo was held at Sri Temasek in 2010. A private family wake for Lee Kuan Yew was also held here in 2015.
Today, Sri Temasek stands as a symbol of Singapore’s history and heritage. It is a reminder of the leaders and events that have shaped this nation. Its walls echo with stories of colonial life, political negotiations, and national mourning. Sri Temasek remains a silent star. It is a testament to Singapore’s journey.