Thank you for spending time with us this morning to help our young researchers! You may consider giving feedback to projects based on their presentation delivery and on the following points:

1. Mastery of subject knowledge

- Does the project demonstrate extensive knowledge of subject?

- Is there convincing evidence to support ideas and conclusions?

- Are all questions answered with clear elaboration?

2. Organisation of presentation

- Is the organisation of the argument clear and logical?

3. Significance of project

- Is the project relevant or important to the field?

- Will it make a significant contribution?

~ HSSRP Organising Committee. 

We feel that the presentation was well-structured and detailed, especially in its coverage of key events. The content was clearly well-researched, and your explanation of historical developments showed strong understanding and thoughtful analysis. We particularly appreciated how you highlighted key incidents like the MacDonald House bombing and tied them into the broader context of Konfrontasi.

However, we suggest expanding on the topic of Konfrontasi to provide a more accurate and complete picture of the conflict between Singapore and Indonesia. Konfrontasi arose from Indonesia’s perception that the merger between Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Malaya was a neocolonial strategy that threatened its national security and regional influence. This led President Sukarno to launch the “Crush Malaysia” campaign, which included attacks on Singapore. While you mentioned the MacDonald House bombing, it’s important to note that the conflict was formally resolved with a peace treaty in 1966, and diplomatic ties were restored. A significant gesture of reconciliation occurred in 1973 when Mr. Lee Kuan Yew visited Indonesia and laid flowers on the graves of two Indonesian marines involved in the bombing—an act described by the National Library Board as “magnanimous” and respected by Indonesians until 2014. We feel that inclduing this point would help strengthen your presentation by showing the full conflict and resolution between the two countries.

One final note: while the content was rich and engaging, the presentation did run a bit long. It’s important to be mindful of time constraints to ensure the audience stays focused and that all key points are delivered effectively within the allotted time. With a bit more pacing, your presentation could be even more impactful. Great effort overall!