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This ceremony remains as a tradition today. The use of combat troops to guard the Istana
Retreat precedes the lowering of the flags at ceased in 1968 with the formation of the
sunset. When Retreat is played, face toward Singapore Armed Forces Guards Unit
the flag and stand at attention. Those in (SAFGU). In 1969, it was decided that a
uniform are to salute. If the flag is not within Changing of Guards Ceremony be held on
sight, then face towards the music and stand every first Sunday evening of the month and
at attention. has continued ever since.

The format of the Ceremony is based on the
CEREMONIAL GUARDS
British Changing of Guards Ceremony at

The Istana Ceremonial Guards’ main role is Buckingham Palace, England. Thirty-six
sentry duty at the Istana which is the official Guards and two Guard Commanders are
residence and office of the President of involved in the Ceremony. The Guards are
Singapore. The Istana means “palace” in specially selected and trained for their
Malay and it is where the president receives turnout, bearing and drill.
and entertains state guests. The Istana
Ceremonial Guards perform their sentry duty
at the Istana’s Main Entrance on Orchard
Road and at the entrance of the Istana Changing of
Building. The ceremonial guard duties at the guard
Istana are performed by the SAF Provost Unit.

The in-coming Guards march from the Yen
San Building to meet the out-going Guards at
the entrance plaza of the Istana. The Changing
On 4 May 1980, the SAF Provost Unit carried out
their Changing of Guards of Guards Ceremony is then carried out at the
entrance of the Istana with military bands in
attendance. Included in the ceremony is a
CHANGING OF GUARD CEREMONY Rifle Precision Drill Performance to entertain
the spectators.
When the late Encik Yusof B. Ishak took
office as the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara at the
Istana on 3 December 1959, the Istana was
guarded by combat troops from the only
infantry regiment we had at that time, the 1st
Battalion of the Singapore Infantry Regiment.
The guards were posted round the clock.
There was no Changing of Guards Ceremony.
Mounting and dismounting of guards were Changing of Guards Ceremony at Istana on 2012
done within the Istana itself.