SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT BANS LONG HAIR?

Singapore Poster That Discourages Long Hair.

In the early 70s government offices in Singapore clamped down on males sporting long hair because it spelt gangsterism. For present generation readers who don't believe this is true, the above poster from the 70s National Library Archives proves it.

I remember an incident where a man with long hair was queueing up at a government department to pay his bills. He was told by an officer that he would be served last. The man was taken aback but quietly took his place.

To make matters worse, the country discouraged and finally banned pop music as it was termed "yellow culture". Singapore's pop music industry faded after all its glory and support from the 60s public.

Led Zeppelin  (Google Images)

A thriving and decent way for both amateur and professional musicians to make an honest living died an unnatural death. Many enthusiasts moaned the local pop music's demise and up to this day the industry never recovered.


Jimmy Page and his new band Led Zeppelin had their show cancelled on 14th February, 1972 because they refused to cut their long hair. Also in the same year the Bee Gees were all here in Singapore to play their music but were forced home immediately after performing on stage at the National Theatre on March, 21st.



 

Bee Gees in Singapore (Google Images).

An Australian pop group.

 

The Hekk that performed at Hotel Malaysia in Singapore in March 1973, was a five piece band much renowned for their long hair by the Australian rock group circuit. Each member of the group gave up two feet of their beautiful locks so that they could perform for three months at The Pub and Discotheque. The members were Peter McCormack, Anthony Sampson, Edwin Boath, Veda Man and Peter Austen.

 

The Golden Age of Pop Music in Singapore... Will it ever make a comeback? Unlikely.

 

The Strollers from Malaysia. (Google Images).

NB: Below is a Singapore Press Holdings unedited description to explain the above poster: 

 

"The government is to step up the campaign against the cult of the long unkempt hair among males in the Republic. For some time now certain government departments, like immigration and schools as well as institutions of higher learning had been taking action against males with long and unkempt hair.  The campaign will take another step forward when all government offices dealing with the public will display posters in English, Chinese and Malay with the message: 'Males with long hair willbe attended to last' (20.06.1972)."

 

To be fair to the Singapore government, not only did this island discourage males from sporting long hair.  Other countries in the 70s followed the same trend. Cities like Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Seoul in South Korea, Melbourne in Australia and even Dublin in Ireland were strict with male students who sported long hair. I guess Singapore went just one step further. It included ALL males, young and old.

Image 1: National Heritage Board, Singapore.
Images 2,3: Google.