Part 9/14:
The 1984 "Total Defense" campaign, led by songwriter Gerald Fernandes, emerged as a national rallying cry. Inspired both by local history and global models like Switzerland, the song encouraged Singaporeans to see defense as a collective effort, with contributions from all sectors of society. Fernandes, a local musician with deep roots in kampung life, aimed to craft a song that was inclusive, unifying, and reflective of Singaporean values.