MacDonald House bombed
Wednesday, 10th March 1965
MacDonald House (formerly also known as Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building) bombing by Indonesian saboteurs killed 3 people, during the konfrontasi period (between Indonesia and Malaysia). Singapore became the target of multiple terror attack. Then Indonesian president Sukarno was openly opposed to the merging of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, and ordered armed attacks in East Malaysia, incited revolts in Brunei and carried out sabotage activities in West Malaysia and Singapore. Two HSBC Bank employees were killed and 33 injured.
Background: With the start of the Konfrontasi in 1962, the Indonesian Government (led by Sukarno) openly opposed the formation of Malaysia. The Indonesian military, under orders from Sukarno, began to insert saboteurs into both Singapore and Malaysia with the intent of stirring up racial tensions while at the same time undertaking acts of sabotage to destroy vital installations.
Update April 1965: Within days, the police arrested 2 Indonesian marines who were responsible for the MacDonald House bombing. They were charged with murder and sentenced to death.
Update October 1968: The two Indonesian saboteurs, Harun Said and Osman Hj Mohd Ali, were later hanged.