The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( SCCCI) on Monday held the 49th war memorial service in commemoration of the civilian victims of the Japanese occupation.

Representatives from government organs, uniformed services, diplomatic corps, business associations, religious organizations, as well as veterans and families of the victims, and over 700 students attend this year's memorial.

Monday is also Singapore's annual Total Defence Day. Before the beginning of the service, the Singapore Civil Defence Force sounded the "All Clear" signal through its public warning system to commemorate the fall of Singapore to the Japanese during World War Two.

Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth attended the memorial. She also launched the "NeverAgain Movement", initiated by the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD), which aims to raise awareness of the significance of the fall of Singapore on Feb. 15, 1942, and to garner family and community support for national security.

On Feb. 15, 1942, Japanese captured Singapore and occupied it for over three and a half years.

According to incomplete statistics, at least 50,000 Singaporeans were killed. On Feb. 15, 1967, the memorial monument was built by the SCCCI and memorial service is held each year ever since.

Spoken to media, Fu said that the memorial and the NeverAgain Movement are important to remind the younger generation to appreciate the value of peace.

As terrorism has growing as the new threats to global peace, Thomas Chua Kee Seng, president of SCCCI told Xinhua that the new movement is also a reminder for Singaporeans in the new era.

"Terrorism is the real threat because it can happen anywhere, anytime and cause casualties in Singapore. In face of terrorism, NeverAgain Movement can remind Singaporeans that we should get ready for unexpected disasters," he said.