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Shooting Selfies With Keepsake

October 19, 2014, 1:11 am
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Zinkie Aw with Thimbuktu

The Singapore Memory Project (SMP) organized by the Memory Maker Series "Shooting Selfies with Keepsake" conducted by Zinkie Aw at the Woodlands Regional Library on 18 October, 2014. 

Singaporean photographer Zinkie Aw often photographs habits: Habits of people, habits of a society for her choice of conceptual work.  She believes every click of the shutter, be it instinctive or deliberated, is an observation of life via photography.

Her documentary and conceptual photo series are flamboyant ways in which she thinks aloud, and these concern issues that are close to her heart that she wants to share with the world. These works are the precipitation of careful introspection she has day-to-day, and reactions to the society that she lives in.

Zinkie's photos have been published in The Sunday Times (UK), Kult Magazine, Catalog (Singapore), Weekend Weekly (HK), 《 L a V i e ． 漂 亮 》 (Taiwan) etc. and also featured in various online news like Invisible Photographer Asia, Designboom.com, PetaPixel, PSFK and other feature sites. Her works have also also exhibited in the Px3 Prix de la Photographie Paris exhibition (2013), Galeri Petronas in Kuala Lumpur (2013) and Goodsman Arts Centre, ION Orchard and Ngee Ann City locally. Additionally, she has also been selected to attend the Angkor Photo Workshop (2012), and also garnered Honourable Mentions (Lifestyle; Deeper Perspective categories) in the International Photography Awards (2013).

Zinkie is also co-producer of film Platform 1932, a documentary made in 2008 before the historical Tanjong Pagar Railway Station ceased to operate as the southern-most terminus of the Malayan Railway line.

The alumna from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (Hons) is very thankful for chances and the help that bosses, colleagues, family and friends & acquaintances who has helped her along the process of photography.

Other than conceptual work, she also enjoys events and documentary photography. On a monthly basis, she also guides participants on Street Photography at the Canon Imaging Academy (Singapore). 

Zinkie’s flavour of street photography takes on the banal with a quirky twist, often captured in vibrant colour palettes.




It was an interesting, relaxed workshop learning session from Zinkie with loads of practical tips to shoot selfies with keepsake.  She is a bouncy, energetic, enthusiastic young photographer with passion, creative ideas and its fun to learn from her.  Her tips are derived from her personal experiences as a professional photographer for many years.

Say hello at zinkie.aw@gmail.com or give a poke on facebook and instagram @zonkie.
View her stuff on flickr too.



Thank you Zinkie for sharing your helpful tips about "selfie" photography knowledge and experiences at the workshop.  I have learnt many new "thingy" free-of-charge to everyone at the course.

You are an awesome gal, Zinkie.  ZINKIE AWesome!
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Footprints of Singapore Immigrants

October 22, 2014, 10:44 pm
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An oil painting entitled Dr Sun Yat Sen and Chinatown a century ago by artist Chen Chudian displayed at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.  (Photo above).

Following in the Footsteps of Singapore's Chinese immigrants

On 26 July 2014, some 200 people gathered at the National Museum to revisit the lives of Singapore's Chinese immigrants and to learn how they helped the nation in Singapore's early years.

They watched a special screening of Footprints - a four-part documentary about Singapore's earliest migrant communities. Those who attended included students and members of clan associations.

The event is a tie-up between Channel NewsAsia and the National Heritage Board, and is part of the celebrations of Singapore's Heritage Festival.


THE PAST

The immigration of Chinese coolies was high between the periods of 1823 to 1891 after Singapore became a free port, between 1910 to 1911 before the first World War and between 1926 to 1927, soon after the war. Coolie emigration decreased after 1927 because of the economic depression, followed by the Japanese occupation and then the World War II.

Unemployed immigrants by he boatloads flocked to Singapore due to the unfavourable conditions in their villages in China. While others were simply attracted to Singapore because there were many job opportunities available for them. 

Coolie trade never peaked after this and most immigrants after World War II were workers with better education, skills and training.  My father arrived in Singapore in the early 1940s with book-keeping qualification in Chinese.

"May you always find new roads to travel; new horizons to explore; new dreams to call your own".   – James Oppenheim

To escape from the Chinese Revolution, (1911–12), nationalist democratic revolt that overthrew the Qing (or Manchu) dynasty in 1912 and civil war in China.  There was news by words of mouth in the village that Nanyang (Chinese: 南洋; literally: "Southern Ocean") offers the uneducated and illiterate people to earn their livings in Singapore for menial jobs as Singapore's growth as an entreport and trading centre.  Many immigrants travel on one way boat ticket to Singapore from China with their hard-earned own life savings.

Coolies worked as rickshaw pullers, trishaw riders and farmers. They were employed in mines, ports, in rubber and other plantations, in clearing jungles and on construction sites. They did back-breaking tasks such as loading and unloading cargo and as farmers. They were employed in ports, in rubber and other plantations, in clearing jungles and on construction sites. They did back-breaking tasks such as loading and unloading cargo and dulang washing or tin ore mining under the scorching sun. It was a common sight in early Singapore to see coolies carrying gunny sacks filled with commodities such as spices and sugar near the Singapore river.

The coolies were, in a way, the backbone of early Singapore's economy because they generated growth for the economy and caused the country to prosper. Few Chinese coolies went back to China later but most coolies settled down in Singapore doing other odd jobs.

A Samsui worker at a construction site 

The coolies contributed to Singapore's growth as a trading centre as they helped in the urban city planning of Singapore. When they provided the necessary transport, more traders and merchants were attracted to Singapore as transportation was readily and easily available When the coolies helped to grow those things more traders and merchants were attracted to Singapore. Not only that, there was an increase in trading activities as there were many varieties of merchandise from Great Britain and other European countries in the early days.

The coolies suffered much hardship, they were very poor and lived in cramped dwellings with no windows and light. Many of the jobs taken by coolies involved hard labour, taking a toll on their bodies.




The coolies lived in cramped environment and most of them were near Chinatown as the Singapore River was near and was easy for them to go to work.


Coolies were employed in almost every sector of work including construction work, plantation work, in ports and mines and as rickshaw pullers. The word “coolie” is believed to have come from the Hindi term kuli, which is also the name of a native tribe of Gujerat in western India. It is believed that the Kulis were among the first coolies as they were easy to recruit because they lived on the northern Indian coast. The word kuli  also means "hire" in Tamil.


Chinese coolies were driven by poverty in China to seek a better life in Singapore.

The newly arrived coolie recruit was called sin kheh which meant "new arrival" in Hokkien. The secret societies and clan associations were involved in controlling and regulating the immigration of coolies from China. Secret societies would help the peasants pay for their journey to Singapore.

Upon arrival, the majority of the early coolies would be handed over to employers of the same dialect, The kongsi, or a "clan association" was either an organisation, a group or a network of like-minded individuals speaking the same dialect or from the same province/part of China. The secret societies therefore acted as agents helping the peasants to come to Singapore, and to find employers from a certain kongsi, depending on the dialect of the particular peasant. Recruitment was carried out based on dialect connections. The secret societies helped support the coolies financially in times of illness, defended their livelihoods and organised final rites.

The British however felt threatened by the rising power and prominence of the secret societies, and made these societies illegal in 1890. An official Chinese Protectorate was set up to handle the immigration and official procedures for coolies. Voluntary associations also arose, supporting the coolies in their immigration and transition into Singapore.

They were given to opium inhaling to relieve their tired bodies of its soreness and to gambling in an attempt to escape from their misery. The whites and wealthy Chinese employed the coolies mainly because of their willingness to work hard for little money.

During the Japanese Occupation, Singapore was "Syonan-To" and purchase of "chandu" (opium) was legalized.  Authorisation cards are issued by the Japanese military administrators at a controlled quantity for each person.


As Singapore developed economically, the need for coolies declined. With Singapore's independence in 1965, came new laws and radical economic restructuring. Modern technology was developed and incorporated at a fast pace which included use of machines in freight transport. The coolies in the harbour were no longer needed. Similarly the need for coolies in other areas of work too declined. This forced the coolies to look to other means of living. Coolies to on work as domestic servants, shop assistants and as helping hands in different areas of work. Some coolies even picked up some skills and found employment in shops such as that of shoe makers, blacksmiths and carpenters.

THE PRESENT

Dr Lily Neo and Mdm Mak Wan Lin in Chinatown

An interesting story shared by Dr Lily Neo, Member of Parliament of Tanjong Pagar GRC on her Lily Neo Page on Facebook.  

Mdm Mak Wan Lin (89), came from China to Singapore 50 plus years ago to reunite with her auntie. She first stayed in a coolie quarters when she arrived, and was subsequently shifted to Block 5, Banda Street as one of the first residents to stay in the block. She worked as a domestic helper, serving in Holland Road and Bukit Timah Road, and remit most of her earnings to her mother in China.
To recognise and honour the contributions of Singapore’s Pioneer Generation in nation-building, the government has launched a Pioneer Generation Package that provides them with several forms of healthcare support. About 450,000 Singaporeans are expected to benefit from this package. The intent is to give them greater assurance so that they do not have to worry about healthcare costs in their golden years.

Excerpts from a history project by Harreini Jeyaudin, Bonita Ong, Sahanas d/o Syed Muabarak and Vinnie Heng Kai Ning in 2013 with acknowledgement of sources from Naidu Ratnala Thulaja at Infopedia., the National Archives of Singapore, NewspaperSG of National Library Board are acknowledged with thanks as the source credit on the blog.

The relevant material from various resources to share on this nostalgic blog for the benefit of everyone.  The articles and archived photos are not intended for commercial or for profit purposes.

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No Peace of Life for Unlicensed Hawkers in the Past

October 16, 2014, 8:23 pm
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活跃乐龄，从心出犮

November 11, 2014, 2:37 am
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叶金富遇到困难时总喜欢自己摸索，不喜欢向人求助。享受自我挑战的乐趣。摄影 - 黄施嫣

曾是"暴龙"级的科技恐龙，退休后却化身科技达人。在网上畅所欲言，竟引來匿名恐吓。曾是体肓健将，却因一场运动意外，被告知不能再踏上球场。58芕毅然离开坚守38年的工作岗位，乐龄生活却是一刻也不得闲。

乐龄生活障碍重重，他到底有何能耐，克服一切？

文• 萧佳慧


"杀人很好玩，多杀几个也不错。" 这是匿名网友在叶金富部落格上写下的留言。

2010 年底，销声匿迹多年的本地私会党 "369"死灰复燃，金富在部落上撰文严厉谴责这些 "三牲仔" (私会党) "懦弱"，"没出息"，"混帐"，结果竟引来网友恐吓。

但这并没有吓着64岁的金富。他反而警告对方不要以为公然恐吓能够逍遥法外，对方也不敢再来招惹。回亿起这段经历，金富脸上带一丝不屑的微笑。他在网络上直言无忌，丝毫不像一股年长者避惹事端的作风。

每天早上，他一起床就会启动电脑，打理好家中宠物和植物后，就在电脑前耗上数小时-- -- 査阅电邮，阅读新闻，搜寻乌克丽丽 (ukulele) 乐谱，浏览社交网站等。


加入部落格一族长达五年，金富目前拥有四个部落格 --- --- 三个不同主题的个人部落格以及一个家族部落格，写作灵感除了來自日常生活和时事新闻，还有他收藏了几十年的剪报，数量多达50份厚三，四公分的文件夹。"我的剪报足够让我再写30年的文章，写到100 岁绰绰有余。"

金富活跃的网络生活让他在小女儿叶丽心 (35岁) 的提名下获颁 "2008 年活跃乐龄资讯通信推动奖"。年长者学上网已经不是新鲜事，但金富和其他不曾接触电脑的同辈不同，因为他强烈抗拒了近20 年。


电脑科技在80 年代末开走入本地职场，当时就任华中初级学院体肓部门主任的金富时常需要利用电脑处理行政事务。不过，已步入中年的他学起这们新技术自然不如年轻老师们得心应手。

金富当时曾上过电脑课程，每个学生各拿到一本不下百页的手册。密密麻麻的专业术语看在金富眼里，就好比甲骨文一般，看不到一页就昏昏欲睡。课程结后，他仍没什么长进，行政工作仍总是请校內书记代劳，自己能躲多远。就躲多远。

网络在本地越来越普及化，新加坡资讯通信发展管理解局 (IDA) 也在 2007 年推出锒发族资信计划 (Silver Infocomm Initiative)，鼓励乐龄人士接触电脑，至今在计划下受惠的乐龄人士近4万5000人。

活跃乐龄埋事会 (C3A) 2009 年的凋查询发现，虽只有 10% 的65芕以上受访者曾经上网，有兴趣学上网的却多达25%。

金富认为，当初的教学方式有问题，缺乏实践，都是纸上谈兵。现已晋升为老师的金富授课时反而完全不用 "课本"，只要求乐龄学生们准备笔记本。让他们亲自操作学习，自己做笔记。

像金富这样的年长老师也更能体恤年长学生的学习困难，所以退休及乐龄义工协会 (RSVP) 也都让年长者担任指导员，教导其他乐龄人士。银叐族资信中心也有许多年长学生毕业后转当指导员。

持之以恒
不眠不，休征服网络

金富会从科技白痴蜕变成为科技通，其实还多亏退休前的一场意外。

虽然接触屏电话脑已约 16 年，家中也有电脑，他却仍只会使用电邮，除此之外一窍不通。但是，因为那场意外，金富的腿裹上了石膏长达五个月，行动不便。金富在家中只剩狗和电脑相伴，因此对电脑敞开了胸怀。

他当时刚接触到 Google，搜索初体验给了 "三国演义"。他发现，在网络世界里，自己最喜欢的这部名著不仅是一本小说，还有影片，插图和地图等。网络彻底将传统纸皮书击败了。

网络也为他赢得家人的祟拜。他照着网络，上的绘画学，亲手为两个年幼孙子绘制他们最喜爱的卡通人物，框起来送给他们当作生日礼物，让大家惊喜十分，心意更是满分。

2007 年初，金富的母亲因病过世，亲戚朋友们难得棸首。可是，金富希望大家除了婚丧喜庆之外，平日也能保持联系，于是准备了一本笔记本，希望收集大家的联络资枓。

三日的丧礼来了上百名家属，但仅两人留下资枓，这令他有些不满。

侄子告诉诉他，联络簿已经不管用了，大家现在都在用面簿 (Facebook) 和部落格，于是他立刻着手设立部落格。于是他立刻着手设立部落格。在两名侄子通过电话指导下，他成立了以家族姓氏 "Yip"命名的家p族部落格 "The Yippies"，让遍布香港，上海，澳洲和新加坡的 20 多名亲友保持联系。

部落格设置好，总不能只有文字，金富还想要上载照片。他做的第一件事，就是跟着 Google 的指示，买了一台描机。但他其实根本不知道这台机器是什么。他决定孤军作战。一路仅靠着 Google 指点，慢慢摸索如何扫描照片。

但这只是开始。他不眠不休折腾腾了一整夜，凌晨 2 点半，部落格终于出现一张照片。那是他 1996 年和太太同游北京时拍的照片。"我仿佛登上了珠槔朗玛峰！我真的是雀跃万分。这是个重要的里程碑。"

叶金富曾因运动意外导致阿基里斯腱断裂，但这并没有阻碍自信，乐观的他回到球场上。 摄影: 黃施嫣
金富担心一觉醒来会忘个精光，一连上班载了三張照片当作复习，直到将近 4 点才甘愿休息。不过，当吋上载的第一批照片周围都有一大片空白，因为他不晓得图片可以修剪。

其实，金富若要请家人朋友从旁执导，也不是求助无门，但他说: "请人帮忙就坏了我自我挑战的乐趣。"

金富听起来似乎非常沉迷于网络，但所幸，他并没有忽略外出活动，经常还是会与朋友相约打羽毛球。虽然年过60，他仍是球场上的常胜军，十场能有九场胜，保刀未老。

伤而不退
坚持运动重返球场

前体肓教师称覇球场，听似理所当然，但其实得来不易。因为让他与科技结缘的那场意斘差点断了他与球场的缘分。

当时，金富正年朋友们打羽毛球，迎面而来一颢下坠球，他瞬间跨歩向前，突然听贝 "啵"的一声脆响，整个人随即倒下。受过进阶急救训练的他知道，自己右脚的阿基呈斯腱 (Achilles tendon) 断了。他那时58岁。

虽知伤势不轻，他却不慌不忙，竟把这当作测试自己体能极限的机会。他没有立即前往医院，只是利用绷带把右脚踝固定住，再试踩了踩油门，然后就自己开车回家。他顺利开到家门囗，下了吧车却发现，已经完全走不动，只能瘫坐在门外半个小时，等太太回來将他送院。即使过后右腿打上了石膏。一路缠到大腿，他仍偷偷独自开车出门，试探自己的状况。

医生告诉金富，他康复后不能再打球。那简直就是判了他死刑！但他不愿屈服，再向运动医学与骨科专科医生求证、并在拆了石膏后、毅然回到球圽上。

但不是每个年长者都像金富这么勇于挑战自己的体能极限。71 岁的张炻坤刚被诊所龂患有点心脏病时、只要爬两层楼的楼梯、走两个车站的路就会害怕、所以也不敢多活动。朋友看他这模样，问他: "你这不是坐以待毙吗？" 他这才恍然大悟，克服仙理障碍，开枱快步走，爬楼梯，骑脚车，竟感觉身体也慢慢好了來。

现在，爬 18 层楼，的楼梯对他来说都不成问题，甚至还会从麦波申骑脚车到芽笼和白沙浮蹓鞑。囵头看十年前的自己。他反而觉得可笑。

本地卫生部去年，进行的一项调查发现，超过半数 60 岁以上的乐龄人土没有运动，的习惯。新加坡中央医院老人病学科主任凯撒玛穆医生说，有些年长者或许真的是体质虚弱，但也有很多是自认体能不支，所以不做运动。不过，玛穆医生指出，即使身体状况不佳也能以步行取代激烈运动，再逐步走快一点，走久一些。

金富就是以偱序渐进的方式回到球场上，并通过技巧性的控球手法减少自己在球场上的跑动。"我也从单打攺玩双打，状况越来越好，现在的优胜率有九成。"

以孙为重
放下一切尽享天伦

叶金富的乌克丽丽乐队去年底在滨海艺术中心举办演出， 女儿孙子们全员出动，到场支持。 摄影:   萧佳慧

当在敎育界打滚近 40 年的金富决定退休时，校长朋友们纷纷向他释出善意，试图拉拢他， 他却 --- --- 回绝。

他强调自己还能继续工作，但他想要尝试不同的生活，当个称职的祖父，一家三代共享天伦。

新加坡国立大学社会学系副教授陈慧明博土指出。年长男性一般上比女性更愿意当个活跃的祖父母，因为他们早年缺乏照|顾子女的机会。叧一方面则是因为金富与自己祖父母的共同记忆少之又少。

祖父因病常年卧病在床，小金富每年都只有在农历新年和祖父庆寿时才有机会贝到他; 祖母则在他年幼吋就过世了。

他也设有亲眼贝过人在中国的外公外婆，就连照片也只看过一张，对他亻门的了解仅限于母亲的形容。

"我的孙子就不同了。"  金富脸上洋溢着欣慰与幸褔。 "我们一起玩，一起聊。当他们长大，他们会有很多回忆。

当大女儿丽燕独身迈向 30 岁大关时，金富担心
女儿会像许多身兼要职的职业女性一样，倾心于工
作，错过结婚生子的黄金时期。他一再向女儿担保，日后愿意为孙子提军退休，希望鼓励她厔快结焝。终于，丽燕在 29 岁吋为他添了个女婿，并在两年后进入产房，紧接着又在隔年生了第二胎。

女儿了了他的心愿，他也在 2003 年决定，要在 2005 年履行自己的承诺。"我如果要当个活跃的祖父，就一定要提早退休。对小女儿也是一种激励。"

小女儿丽心果真在他退休的那一年走上红琰，并在 2008 年为他添孙，今年底也将再生第二胎。丽燕则在 2006 年给两个儿子又添了个弟弟。

现在，金富平日尽情满足个人乐趣，但只要女儿需要他帮忙捼送孙子，他绝对义不容辞。一到星期五，孙子们就会到家中与祖父母共度周末，他也心甘情愿把个人享乐完全搁置一旁，沉溺于天伦之中。

但是，金富身边却有不少朋友其实不愿意让孙子到家中过夜。"佨们告诉孩子，除非有紧急状況，不然不要把孙子放到他们家。他们家不是托儿所。" 金富透露，他们都不想被孙子牵绊，希望能过自己的生活。

这种想法令金富百思不得其解。"自己的生活为什么不能色括孩子，孙子？"

孙子要到家里来，金富可是求之不得。"有时候，孙子们一整个星期没来，我就会好想他们。他们如果想听公公的声音，也会叫妈妈打电话给我。" 金泉少侠富骄傲地说: "如果让他们选择，他们一定想要留在我家，不要回家。"

退而不什
调整重心享受乐龄

金富虽是为孙子而退休，但他知道，自己总不能成天抱着孙子。"你必须思考，退休后你究竟要怎么生活？

金富退休前对身边的前辈有所覌察。他看着这些活跃份子在退休后慢慢改变，生活素质每况愈不。有人投资失败，公枳金消耗殆尽;有人视力退化，不能再打球;有人不分昼夜，成天喁喝洒。没过几年，有些人甚至就先行离世了。

"退休后笫一天，他们很开心，一个星期，一个月，或许还是如此。但当他们迈入第二，第三个月，儿女都己成家立业，另一伴还在工作，身边又没有子孙相伴，他们的世界只剩自己一个人。若没有计划，真的会不知所措。"

金富认为，乐龄生活要称得上活跃，必须顾及体能，智能，情感，精神，社交，工作各个面向，也就是活跃乐龄理事会定下的六大指标，而且心须事先规划并且实践执行。

话虽这么说，他自己却迭择舍弃工作这一项。

自60 年代就开始玩乌克丽丽的金富退休后多次受邀到小学担任全职音乐教师，但为了保留时间与自由，他几乎都拒绝了，只答应到一所学校兼职授课。

摄影:  萧徍慧

相比之下，他更喜欢在家授课，因为上课时间较灵活，也不必浪费时间往返学校。最重要的是，这不是工作。

此外，金富也在民众俱乐部免费授课，还跟学生们组成了乌克丽丽乐队，在社区以及滨海艺术中心等地方公演。 "我不想用我的专长换取酬劳，因为那就会形成一种合约，其中的乐趣也就少了。"

不重返职场让人多了吋间，却也让人失去收入以及权力。金富指出:  "很多人工作到了一个阶段，都会拥有某些职权与影响力，一旦退休就会瞬间失去。"

陈慧明博士指出，男性在退休后患上忧都症的机率比女性來得高，因为他们的自我认同经常源自于身为家中经济支柱的角色，与个人收入息息相关，所以当他们收入中断，自然就会受到打击。

金富指出，人们或许不会立即察觉退休对于个人财务状况的影响，但随着户囗余额犹如被地心引力紧紧吸住般一路，往下降时，这方面的心理建设与，财务规划尤显重要。

"我退休前已经确认过，即使接下来30年都不工作，储蓄，公积金和投资加起来仍绰绰有余，能让自己和太太过得舒适，所以決定不再工作，全职享乐。"

陈俊华 (右一) 退休后开始向老公叶金富学习乌克丽丽，虽自祢没有音乐天天赋，却也乐在其中。  摄影:  萧徍慧

以身作则
活跃乐龄从心出发

本地男性一般上比女性睌退休，金富却决定比太冭早退休，但他并且不觉得不妥，也非常支持太太继续工作。

同样在教肓部服务的叶太太陈俊华非常热爱教育工作，迟迟不愿退休，即使到了60 岁法律定退休年龄，仍接受教肓部重新雇用。但是，随着俊华迈向62 岁，金富开囗了。 "你应该重新检视自己的人生。你没有别的事情想做吗？

俊华流连职场，一方面是舍不得离丌坚守38 年的教育工作，叧一方靣其实是担忧自己退休后会无所事事。

但是，金富的身体力行给她打了支强心针。"我看见他的退休生活如此快乐，充实，我也开枱期待退休，为此感到兴奋。"

于是，俊华在去年滿62 芕吋忍痛卸下校群导督的职务。

俊华感叹:  "那是个痛苦的块择。我热愛教育，我也知道教肓部极需有经验的人。但我也知道，没有人是不可或缺的。我想要去追寻那片属于我的天空。"

可是，对教育工作仍怀满腔热血的她，在退休后决定接下教育部组织犮展顾问以及国立教育学院实习教师监员两份兼职工作，以不同方式继续做出贡献。

她现在多出了吋间追求心灵上的满足，一退休便报名参加圣经导读班，希望成为个更称职的基督徒。

近年来，越来越多本圯年长者像俊华一样，希望满退休年龄后能继续工作。政府也极力鼓励，在去年通过<退休与重新雇用法案>，从今年起规定雇圭为年满法定退休年龄62 岁但健康状况，工作表现良好的年长员工提供新受雇至65 岁。

但是，乐龄人士面对的问题不仅是可否由同一雇主重新雇用。61 岁的卢甘儿在49 岁提早退休，现在想要再找工作，却犮现困难重重。她感叹: "老了不中用。我有找工作，可是他们都要年轻的。要不就是吋间太长，我的身体没办法。"

副总理蒹人力部长尚达曼接受媒体釆访时也曾坦言，本来地雇主对年长员工仍有偏贝，因为他们还有年轻员工和外籍员工具可选择。政府原本设定目标。希望在今年把55 至64 岁年长者的就业率提高至65%，但截至2009 年，年长者就业率仅有59%，政府于是将时间表延后至2015 年，可见我国在提高年长员工就业率这方面还有待加强。

与林百列集选这议员陈佩玲指出，年长求职者会因为雇主的要求或偏见而失去工作机会，但有时也许是求职者个人的欺望过高。

"因为经济需求而需要工作的年长者往往对薪金，工作时间，工作条件等有更多的要求。有时候我们为他们找到工作，他们刧觉得薪水太少。" 陈佩玲透露，这些需要工作养家糊囗的年长者要求的薪金通常介于几百元至一千多元不等。

反倒是纯粹想要打发时间，保持活跃，赚取额外零用钱的年长者较容易受雇，因为他们的要求相对绞少，就像71 岁的吴赛花。

因早年于警队部门服务，赛花45 岁退休后每个月都有1100 元退休金，财务方面无需操心。当前上司邀她加入外籍劳工工作淮证服务中心工作，她看在工作不困难，自己不必照顾孙子也是闲着的份上就答应了。在58 岁重出江湖。

原本只想 "越早退休越好"的赛荏重返职场，一待就是13 年。若不是公司即将在今年底搬迁到距离她住家更远的地方，她也不会选择现在退休。

和赛花一样，俊华也希望再工作多几年。俊华打趣说:  "我喜欢这种 '循环利用'的感觉。"

虽然仍处于半退休状态，俊华的工作重担减轻了许多，工作时间也缩短了。

现在，她每天下午就能回家陪伴老公，两人仿佛回到了 "拍拖"时期，有更多时间一起活动。自认没有音乐天赋的俊华也开始向金富学习乌克丽丽，接下来则打算一起出国旅游。

金富活跃的乐龄生活不仅让自己欢乐，也成为启发太太的 "模范"乐龄人士，让俊华对退休生活少了忧虙，多了徸憬。

陈佩玲认为，没有人可以真的为老年作好准备。
"最重要的是正确的观念与态度，只要保持正面心态，不要自怨自艾，如此一来即使面对困难，也能够迎刃而解。

金富对乐龄就怀抱着极乐观的态度，因此造就了他今日如此活跃的生活。他笑说:  "每个人都会老，从一生下来就开枱老化。活跃乐龄就昰要怀抱更多活力，热情継续生活，继续逐梦。"

确实，少了就学，就业，家庭种种压力，乐龄就是个自由逐乐的年龄。 "只要有规划，再怀抱着热情过每一天，活跃乐龄其实一点都不难。

[逐乐之龄]  笫一期 2012 年 3 月
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Raffles City Then and Now

November 14, 2014, 8:20 pm
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The Raffles City in Singapore over 30 years is stll young and not described as an old heritage building.  Many visitors to this place for their first time to Singapore wouldn't believe that this famous historical institution was located over a century ago. 

The surrounding buildings are blended with the modern designs and architectures developed and built in the 1980s. 

Like people and places, life is moving forward for the future with hopes and aspirations for improved conditions and situations,  memories of the past looks back.

These selected archived photos are curated with the courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) to share the memories of Singapore on this nostalgia blog.

"When nothing else subsists from the past, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered...the smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls...bearing resiliently, on tiny and almost impalpable drops of their essence, the immense edifice of memory"

"Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, and the past perfect!"
~ Owens Lee Pomeroy


The same space for a different purpose at different time.  The big school field for former students to play rugby and other games in 1950s disappeared and later replaced by the Raffles City Shopping Centre which was conferred the title "Best Shopping Experience (Shopping Centre)" by the Singapore Tourism Board in 1998.

The Raffles Institution was relocated to a modern building with latest design, better amenities and bigger school field to cater to the new generations of RI students.  Unlike the noisy heavy traffic sound of the former school in the city, the new RI is located with quiet environment and facilities.




Raffles Institution at its first site bounded by Stamford, North Bridge, Bras Basah and Beach Roads.  Established in 1823 as the Singapore Institution, it was demolished after 1973 when the school moved to Grange Road.




Group photograph of Raffles College.  On the right (front row) in Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Construction of Westin Stamford Hotel, Westin Plaza, Raffles City in 1980.  These archived photos contributed generously by David Ng to NAS.


Artist's impression of Raffles City (late 1980).  Photo credit: Singapore Tourist Promotion Board.


Building design model of Raffles City in 1980

The completed Raffles City as juxtaposed against the photo of the design model

Inside Raffles City -  direction to the Shopping Centre


History

Groundbreaking on the site took place on 14 August 1980 and officially opened to the public on 3 October 1986.

The complex was designed by l Pei in one of his earliest works in the city state.

Built on the former site of Raffles Institution, the first school in Singapore, and located beside the historic Raffles Hotel, its aluminium-finish and simple geometric designs gave a stark, modernist contrast to Victorian architecture and classical architecture which used to characterize architecture in that district.

The design includes the one-time world's tallest hotel and currently the world's fourteenth tallest hotel, the 73-storey Swissôtel .

The Stamford, as well as a 26 storey high-end twin-tower hotel, the Fairmont Singapore.

The three blocks are complemented by the rectangular 42-storey Raffles City Tower, an office block.

 Rebranding

 On 1 January 2002, the two hotels were rebranded as the Swissôtel The Stamford and Raffles The Plaza (now Fairmont Singapore]) when FRHI Hotels & Resorts took over the hotels' management.


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Memories of Provision Shops in Singapore

December 1, 2014, 12:45 pm
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The provision shop in the rural areas in 1960s.


The place where I was born in 1948 was located at No. 608A, Havelock Road in Bukit Ho Swee, Singapore.

In this intuitive blog to turn back the clock to 66 years ago when I was born, I now visualize what happened to me as a child.   This is for brain exercise.

From the day I was born until maybe 5 or 6 years old, I could not remember about anything.  My mind was a blank to try to recollect my memories as my baby years. Nothing to think about, no memories to blog.

At that age, I needed only to eat, drink, sleep daily and to grow bigger in a natural and normal way while my mother fed me as a baby in my growing up stage.

It was amazing for me to know that I was once a baby like everyone.   There was nothing special about me as I grew up as a human person.  I was told that I was an active, chubby baby and like to smile with everyone I meet.  Everything was new and curious to me when I came into this world.

It sounds like I was kinda funny but my mother was happy to hear complimentary remarks, such as "this baby is very chubby hor", "this baby likes to smile and laugh a lot", "very friendly, not afraid of strangers" blah, blah .....

When I watch my children and other babies, it must be how I behaved as a baby too.  Every generation recycles from babies to elderlies.

I was not a "cry-baby" who disliked strangers for no reasons. At other times I amuse others by giggling or laughing, I was told.  I am sure I must have cried and wailed as loud as I could to attract the attention of everyone when I was hungry, suffered pain, urinate or to shit.  The crying stopped when job is done.

As a toddler, my mother and my elder sisters would carry me around when I was awake at home or outside the house in the nearby kampong. There was a provision shop next to my birthplace.

Photo courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

Unfortunately I do not have any photos of me as a baby in the olden days, long before smartphone cameras to post on Facebook in a popular way.  The above photo is not of me but of about 2-year-old child slung with a sarong at the back of his mother at the provision shop in the way which I was carried around by my mother.

Next to my birthplace was an old grocery shop, a small wooden building in the Bukit Ho Swee kampong where I grew up for about 6 years and moved to another part of Bukit Ho Swee.  My birthplace and the old shop owned by Ah Bee and her father were destroyed in the Bukit Ho Swee fire in 1961.

 The shop was owned by our neighbors and family friends.It was a family business which Ah Bee, her father and her brother runs the shop for many years.

The shop was conveniently located at Havelock Road and the family lived at the back of the shop.  The kampong folks patronise the shop for decades and their customers became neighbors and friends.

My mother used to buy provision such as rice,  sugar, cooking oil and even salt from Ah Bee's shop.  We were trusted customers and able to supply us on credit without payment in cash for each purchase at the shop.  A small "555" note book was used as a record and produced at the end of the month when my father received his salary.


Other trusted neighbors like us were given a special service on credit terms.  Similar to "credit card system" of today's banks and other financial institutions ..... but no extra interest charged on the purchases.

In a way, I grew up as a child feeding "Lifeguard" condensed milk (not instant milk powder) on credit for many years until I was old enough to feed on porridge and non-solid food.

As my family was poor and I have grown up since young from "hands to mouth", we managed to survive with my father's job as a book-keeper at Kheng Seng Chan, a import export company at Telok Ayer Street.  He was the only breadwinner in the family then.

Without banks so commonly in the early days to provide loan services on credit, neighbors willingly bid tontines to use lump sum funds to tide over hard times for children's school fees to enter the university or to attend courses for their career future; or someone at home need emergency medical treatment in hospital.

I understand that Ah Bee and her father had helped my family and many poor neighbors in the kampong to offer credit for purchases of groceries from their shops and then return their payments from their salaries at a later date.

The "kampong spirit" relationship of the shopkeepers and customers in a tightly-knit community to help one another at times of hardship of the neighbors.  Mutual help, co-operation and honesty is the essence of the "kampong spirit" for a harmonious community.  The community bonding built a trust and loyalty to develop a long term relationship with gratitude.

Please watch the "Old Times - Singapore's Provision Shops" video on YouTube and spot the nostalgic stuff in the shop.

Did you notice the old "Milo" tin with a pulley and a rope used as a "money safe-box" container?



The shops in Singapore over a century were found by Singaporeans, mostly migrants from China, India, Indonesia and other neighboring countries.

To earn a living in the early days, the enterprising businessmen with some savings as capital to open shops to venture for profit as local traders.  For non-farming occupation and activities, the craftsmen with special skills would open shops for various businesses.

The shops at the kampong were few and wide apart. The village womenfolks were busy day and night with household chores - cleaning the house, laundry for the family, cooking the meals for the family, dish-washing after the meals.

We have to remember that electrical appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, electric cookers, electronic ovens, water heaters for shower on cold days, fans or air-conditioners on hot days etc to save time and energy for convenience in every home were either not affordable except the wealthier families or because the invented appliances were not available in the market until in the mid-1980s or 1990s.

Lets take a look at the provision shops in the 1970s in the rural areas archived photos curated on this blog with the courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore to share our collective memories of traditional type of provision shops in Singapore in the old days.

The blinds with advertisements in front of the shop
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew visited the kampong shopkeepers in 1970

With urban renewal to develop many parts of Singapore in the 1970s, the kampongs in the rural areas were resettled and replaced by HDB satellite towns and housing estates.

Dwindling business in old estates where many have moved out, or having no one in the family to take over the business, have forced some shops to close down.

The old-fashioned and traditional friendly neighbourhood provision shops were affected by the modernised Singaporean lifestyle.

During the transition of the shopping experience in the old days as the younger generations of Singaporeans prefer to shop at the air-conditioned supermarkets with comfort and convenience.

There are very few traditional "kampong-type" provision shops in the older HDB housing estates stll exist today.  The shop owners were the pioneer generation Singaporeans who inherited from their parents or grandparents.

The younger generation shop owners would modify their business management methods, styles and layout of the shops as supermarket-lookalike for arrangement of the products on shelves, air-conditioned, price-tagging and fixed prices without bargaining by the customers as was common in the olden days.  New ways are now done with electronic devices to computerize the business for efficiency and improved services for customers satisfaction and delivery.

The "kampong-type" provision shop at Teban Gardens, Singapore.


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Kan Chia Chek Daughter's Marriage

December 24, 2014, 12:55 am
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I am inspired to blog a true life story which happened in 1963, about 2 years after living at a HDB 1-room "emergency flat" at Block 9, Jalan Bukit Ho Swee, Singapore.  I was then 15-years-old and have many new things to learn as an immature young urchin of Bukit Ho Swee.

I like to listen to elder neighbors and to learn useful stuff from them.  However, not everything we hear are true and helpful.  Thus reading good books at the library would increase our knowledge and are gleaned from our experiences to learn to discriminate and judge wisely from what people say.  Listen carefully and don't argue unnecessarily.

It was the first time I watched a Chinese wedding ceremony since my last time at the Bukit Ho Swee kampong after the fire in 1961.

This is a blog to share the first person collective childhood memories of a pioneer generation Singaporean and the observations of the way of life in Bukit Ho Swee over 50 years ago.



My former neighbor, "Kan Chia Chek" (Trishaw Uncle in Hokkien which "Kan Chia" refers to the century-old "jinrickshaw" puller. The modern-day term should refer to "sah lian chia", the three wheels rider). The previous blog about the Trishaw Riders posted here .

He lived with his wife, a teenage daughter who works at a factory and a young son who was still attending school.

My kind, humble neighbor was very hardworking and plied the trishaw on the roads in Singapore everyday, everywhere.  The longer distance he fetched his passengers, the more he earns for his livelihood.

He has a good sense of  humor and likes to laugh and joke alot.  He is a person with character, strength and perserverance in spite of  hazard of traffic accident on the road daily.  He communicate and spoke to me in Hokkien with a Henghua accent and we understand one another well.  I often visited him in the evening after work and we listened to the news on the Rediffusion.  

With his weather-beaten face, he was rugged and tough.  Under every weather condition, rain or shine, day and night. Uncle would still go to work when feeling a little tired. He told me that the best time to get passengers would be on raining days and night.  He doesn't work on a fixed 9 to 5 office hour routine.  At times when he returned home for dinner and there were passengers at certain places, he would still continue to work.

There are many successful Singaporeans today who were brought up by their fathers as trisha riders.  They are as proud and with gratitude of them as those from wealthy families. 

Uncle has self-respect and doesn't care if other neighbors knew that he was a trishaw rider.  It is a decent, honest, independent work serving the travelling public in Singapore.

Marriage of Ah Huay and Ah Kiat

Ah Huay is the 20-year-old daughter of "kan chia chek" and his wife.  This soft-spoken young girl was shy and gentle with primary school in Chinese.  She then left school in 13 to work in a factory in Redhill to help to support the family income.

A few months after moving to Jalan Bukit Ho Swee,  Ah Kiat was introduced by our neighbor to Ah Huay.

Ah Kiat was a dark-complexioned lanky 23-year-old young guy.  He was an orphan and completed his secondary Chinese education.  He worked at a factory in Jurong and a well-mannered good-looking guy with a good sense of humor.

Some months later, both youths' love blossomed and Ah Kiat was at the home every night after work.
On weekends, they went for "pak tor" (dating on courtship) with the blessings of both Ah Huay's parents.  The parents found that Ah Kiat is a well-behaved young man with good character and respected them.

About 2 years later,  Ah Huay and Ah Kiat wanted to ask for the permission of Kan Chia Chek and Ka Chia Soh for their daughter for marriage.

I happened to be in their house one evening when Ah Kiat was discussing with Kan Chia Chek.  Kan Chia Soh and Ah Huay were not at home.

As I was too young then to understand about their topic about marriage of Ah Kiak and Ah Huay,  I unintentionally eavesdropped into the adults' private conversation and I listened quietly without interruption or disruption to disturb them.

Although Kan Chia Chek did not attend formal school since a child in China,  I learned a lesson from a humble trishaw-rider with wisdom.   That lesson happened over 50 years ago which etched deeply in my mind to this day.  Not exactly in his words, but the gist of Uncle's explanation to Ah Kiat below:

"Ah Kiat, I have observed you for almost two years and found that you have treated Ah Huay very well.  The most important thing is for both of you to love one another.  I don't know anything about love because my marriage to Kan Chia Soh was followed with traditional Chinese matchmaker.  No "pak tor" or talk about love.

To be married is an important journey in life.  Never mind if the journey is travelling by big cars,  by bicycles or by trishaw.  You would reach the place (destination) you want to go safely with your wife and your children.  The elders said "nan chi gua,  gua chi nan.  Ho ho cho nan". (in Hokkien means "People raise me up, I raise others.  Live a good person").  [ 人人养我，我养人人。好好做人。]

Don't have to think too much because have faith and trust with Heaven.

Both of us are not wealthy but we need not compare with other people.  Whether they are rich with big houses and everyday eat big fish, big prawns.  Ah Huay is a simple girl and she did not complain about how much you are earning as a factory worker and did not have very high education.

Whether we are born rich and die poor or born poor and die rich are fated by Heaven (天公) ( Kan Chia Chek's family were from ancestral worship since    young). Everything in our life depends on affinity and live honestly.  If people look down on trishaw-riders, I earn a living honestly.   Don't feel bad (esteem)."

There were many wise advice by Kan Chia Chek which I could not remember everything in the conversation in Hokkien, some of which I could not understand in his Hockchia accent.

Ah Huay and Ah Kiat were married happily on an auspicious date which Kan Chia Soh went to the temple to consult from the medium.

The traditional Chinese wedding ceremony was simple in accordance of the custom and practice of the Hockchia dialect.  The neighbors helped in every ways as a community with "kampong spirit".

Their wedding dinner with close neighbors, family and relatives and friends was celebrated in a coffee shop with 3 tables.  The significance of the celebration happily and everyone cheered with "Yam Seng" for good health, good luck and prosperity.



 

 Chinese wedding in Singapore Theme Postage Stamp

 

Ah Huay and Ah Kiat did not go on holiday overseas after the marriage for honeymoon.

They started work 2 days after their wedding and happily lived in a new HDB 3-room flat in Queenstown.

Some years later, I heard from my former neighbors that Ah Huay and Ah Kiat had 3 children and two of them were university graduates and working in the civil service.

Kan Chia Chek and Kan Chia Soh were at a Chinese New Year reunion with Ah Huay, Ah Kiat and their grandchildren with a contented and happy life together in Singapore, a nation of opportunity with hope and aspirations for the future generations.

This is a short story of a former Bukit Ho Swee fire victim,  Kan Chia Chek.
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Home-bred Singaporean Movie Stars

December 26, 2014, 6:06 pm
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The above juxtaposed photos of Zoe Tay as published recently by MediaCorp and when she was a young girl with her smaller sister in their father's farm in Lim Chu Kang.  She was born in 1968.

Zoe Tay with her wax figure at Madame Tussauds

MediaoCorp actress Zoe Tay finally unveiled her waxen droppelganger at the Madame Tussauds Singapore (MTS) in Sentosa.

I came across an article "A Farmer's Daughter Step Out" which a Facebook friend had posted it to share and I was intrigued.  Please find out as the blog unfold.


Please click on the photo to enlarge the image and read the article.

Zoe Tay was born to farming parents, their second-youngest child.  During her childhood, her family lived in Lim Chu Kang.  She entered the now defunct Kay Hua Primary School and later Yuan Ching Secondary School for her secondary education.  A tomboy in her youth, she enjoyed football, climbing trees, and bicycle racing.

Zoe became a model at the age of 16.  She was first groomed at IMP International and David Gan in 1986.  [Source:  Zoe's blog].





Xiang Yun is another Singaporean actress and contracted artiste under MediaCorp.  She is popularly referred to as MediaCorp's first "Ah Jie" (elder sister) as she was among the first locally-trained artistes and has been in the industry for over 30 years.

She began her career in children's drama in 1980 and proceeded to act in the Chinese drama series.

When I was 36 years old in 1984, I followed every episode on SBC TV to watch my favorite drama serial, "The Awakening"( 雾锁南洋 ).

The Awakening is a 1984 television drama series produced by Singapore Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate the nation's 25th National Day celebrations. The series mainly covers the Chinese Singaporean experience in Singapore, from the first generation of Chinese immigrants, who arrived to a relatively undeveloped island, through the Japanese occupation periods, and to the Chinese Singaporeans at the present day (1984), who resides in a developed nation that is radically different from the land their ancestors arrived to.  

The story was realistic because my father was an immigrant from Quemoy in the 1940s, and the conditions and circumstances in the Colony of Singapore under the British ruler at that time.


Zoe Tay with Xiang Yun



Zoe Tay has participated in a number of television charity shows and enormous popular with the senior citizen Singaporean audiences.


In 1987, Zoe won "Model of the Year" and in 1988, she joined and won the first talent seach contest, "Star Search".  She also became Singapore's first ever "Lux Girl".

The following resources are extracted from "Zoe Tay Fan Club" on Facebook:

tayeileen said:
"This is Zoe Tay, our MediaCorp Ah-Jie.  Someone whom many of us grew up watching but no one has even gotten sick of watching.

Even now over 10 years on, she still looks gorgeous as ever.  I guess elegance is ageless.

Although I'm no longer as fanatic about her as I was in the past, I really do admire her as an idol".
christinetan said:
"In general, most people would nod their heads in agreement to the fact that this stunning actress deserves many accolades and awards she has received over the years, and has left behind a trail of brilliant performances in her acting history".  
How I wish, I could return on a time machine to those days where I squeezed onto the couch with my family to enjoy the wonderful shows she has devotedly put up for her audience."
Avril said:
"Watched a couple of her talk shows and I find her a very humble and genuine person, unlike some of other younger artistes.  Oh yes, and maybe because I kept staring at her, she looked at me and flashed me her small signature smile.  Not the drop dead pretty kind but she just has got this X-factor I guess and that probably is her godsend weapon to hold her reign'.
Purpose for this blog

Perhaps my blogger friends would be surprised that I have switched to something new for the first time on my blog to post about popular Mediacorp TV actresses.

What attracted me to feature popular Zoe Tay as a TV celebrity or other public personalities?  I do not know her personally and have never met her in person at local public performances or events.

These days, I do not watch TV drama serials or follow any particular actors or actresses on MediaCorp.

I am from a different era, different generation, I guess.

During my childhood days at Bukit Ho Swee,  I watched lots of Chinese "gongfu" movies at the Atlantic Theatre located inside the Great World Amusement Park.  The matinee movies were screened in the afternoon from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm.  Special ticket charges of 50 cents for 2 show!

The names of the actors and actress I could remember are available here .

In those days, Shaw Brothers and Cathay Organisation were the two major film producers who owned their theatres in Singapore.

Why then was the movie industry dominated by the producers in Hong Kong, I have ever wondered.

The answers I now realised: Singapore has become a "nation of opportunities"!

The present new generation and future generations of home-bred Singaporean movie stars are groomed and offered by the opportunities by MediaCorp!

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Search

Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2015

January 2, 2015, 4:19 am
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Singaporeans can look forward to an exciting year in 2015 to celebrate our nation’s 50th year of independence. The 2015 programme line-up was unveiled today at a press conference with Chairman of the Singapore50 (SG50) Steering Committee, Mr Heng Swee Keat. The Committee also provided an update on the nationwide call for celebration ideas and the SG50 Celebration Fund.

2. The overall theme for SG50 is for all Singaporeans to celebrate as one people. For 2014, the focus is to reflect on our journey and to take pride in how far we have come as a country. Hence, the SG50 calendar this year kicked off with a Pioneer Generation tribute at the Istana and there will be more tribute events to honour the special role of our pioneers across different segments of the society for the rest of 2014.

3. For 2015, the focus will shift towards celebrating our shared values, affirming our aspirations and committing to a brighter Singapore. The calendar will comprise national and community-level programmes organised by the public, people and private sectors.

4. Mr Heng Swee Keat outlined the overall theme that shapes the year-long celebrations. “SG50 is about celebrating the enduring values that we share as Singaporeans, values that undergird the Singapore Spirit – values that have stood us in good stead in the past and give us confidence for an even brighter future.”

5. Elaborating on the 2015 programme line up, Mr Heng said, “We want the 2015 calendar to be wide-ranging so that it caters to different segments of society. The programmes will span a calendar year, with events spread across the months. Some are large-scale, national events which encourage mass participation. But there are also small-scale events led by the corporate and people sectors that are more intimate, and cater to specific audiences. We hope that with this mix of programmes, everyone will be able to find something appealing and meaningful as we celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee as one people.” (Source:  Channel News Asia)

The Countdown 1993 in Singapore

Photo credit of National Archives of Singapore

Thirty-thousand ballons released at Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC)'s New Year Countdown at midnight, onto a screaming crowd at World Trade Centre Expo Gateway on 31 December, 1993.

The Countdown 2015 in Singapore

The "Singapore 50 Countdown 2015" at Marina Bay is a personal occasion which is an opportunity of a lifetime for me to experience and blog to express.  I speak for myself, but I hope everyone who were there at the special Countdown Singapore 2015 would share my sentiments and enjoyment.

I know very well that I will not have another 50 years for me to celebrate the next countdown in 2065.  Its worth to have a one lifetime for me as a mortal.

To the present young generations and our future generations, there is a hope for Singaporeans to work, play and live together in peace, harmony and progress in Singapore as we have continued to do for  the last 50 years in the past.

In 2015 this year is the 50th anniversary of independent Singapore, our "Golden Jubilee Anniversary" to be celebrated by all Singaporeans.

My personal impression of the Countdown and the major national events for National Day, the festivals for Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Chinese New Year or Christmas celebrated by Singaporeans in multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural Singapore transformed into a magical fairyland like Disneyland.

Walt Disney said: "To all that come to this happy place: Welcome.  Disneyland is your land.  Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.  Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."


It was a carnival of fun for young and old, Singaporeans, visitors and tourists of all nations.

As sunsets at the Singapore waterfront

The packed audience at the main stage for the SG50 Countdown 
Families enjoy picnic on the lawn beside the stage
A great way to celebrate at Marina Bay for a picnic to enjoy their meals

About 25,000 people welcomed the arrival of 2015 at the sell-out Celebrate SG50 countdown show on Wednesday (Dec 31) at The Float@Marina Bay here

Finale - The Countdown and Firework Display





The finale blast of colorful creative designs of the fireworks and to watch the gorgeous scenaries against the beautiful skyline of Marina Bay of Singapore, our Home.

With grateful thanks to everyone for all the help and efforts for many months to make this unforgettable Golden Jubilee Countdown 2015 possible.  Please share the happy memories of everyone at the Singapore 50 Facebook and Singapore Memory Portal for posterity.

Happy New Year 2015!

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RSAF45 @ Heartlands - Simei

September 6, 2014, 9:57 am
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The Republic of Singapore Air Force posted an announcement on Facebook timeline.


Want to know how we defend our skies 24/7 for 45 years?
Want to check out our cutting edge UAVs and Ground Based Air Defence Systems?
Want to test your flying and shooting skills on simulators?
Want to hear first hand accounts of what it's like being in the Air Force?
Want to see how we transformed into the 3rd Generation Air Force?

We recap the 5 reasons for you to come visit RSAF45@Heartlands. And don't miss out on the RSAF45 Commemorative gift pack! More details here ! 



At Simei today, it was not an ordinary lazy Saturday afternoon when I would normally have a drink with my buddies at the coffee shop or I would be at home for a much needed siesta.  My habit to sleep late at night, undisturbed and quiet at home, for me to blog.

Isn't it wonderful that Simei is selected as one of the 5 heartlands in Singapore to celebrate RSAF45 @ Heartlands - 45 years of defending our skies?  45 years in peacetime Singapore since the formation of the RSAF in 1969.



What a pleasant surprise for me to meet the well-known RSAF Black Knight for a group photo with the brave guys and gals who defend our skies.  Thanks for your courtesy, our RSAF defenders and protectors, to make Singapore, our homeland to grow up in peace.  Not as some other war-torn countries in the world where the people do not understand the meaning or unheard of the word "peace"since birth ...

Blessed be our homeland, blessed be Singapore!

FINALLY AT SIMEI!! (6 Sep 2014)

WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO BE HERE AT SIMEI!! It’s a bright sunshiny day here on day 1 of our RSAF45@Heartlands at Simei! Saturday morning kicked off early as we welcomed excited visitors who came to look at our exhibits, take part in our games and to enjoy the performances by the SAF Music and Drama Company. Many also posted beautiful photos of their favourite moments here at RSAF45@Heartlands on our Facebook page and through Instagram with #TheRSAF. Public well-wishes for our airmen and women also poured in and warmed our hearts.

Earlier this morning, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Member of Parliament for East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister of State for Defence, Dr Mohammad Maliki Bin Osman, together with Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC and Deputy Speaker Mr Seah Kian Peng, and Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC Ms Jessica Tan, visited our event here in Simei with Grassroots Leaders. They were accompanied by Chief of Staff (Air Staff) BG Lim Yeong Kiat and Chairman of RSAF45@Heartlands organising committee BG Neo Hong Keat. Mr Lim, Dr Maliki, Mr Seah and Ms Tan viewed the exhibits in the RSAF45@Heartlands pavilion and interacted with our airmen and women at the exhibition and the static display. In the late afternoon, Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC Mr Pritam Singh also visited the event with Grassroot leaders to view the exhibits and interact with our airmen and women.

Check out these photos to see what else went on here today! Come down to join us here at RSAF45@Heartlands at Simei today and tomorrow!!

(Source: With acknowledgement and thanks to RSAF on Facebook timeline).

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Malam Joget Cha Cha & Dut 2015

February 7, 2015, 7:09 pm
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An evening of kampong nostalgia for dancing with "live" music for everyone to enjoy! The "Malam Joget Cha Cha & Dut 2015" organised by the Radin Mas Community Centre Malay Activity Executive Committee at the Bukit Merah Central Amphitheatre on Saturday, 7th February 2015. 

The energetic, cheerful young emcee urged everyone to be happy, throw away the stress and just enjoy. Have fun! That was what everyone did and it was an unforgettable, electrifying evening!

The archived photos are shared on this blog with the courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore.


 

 The veteran joget dancers are seasoned and experienced to teach the younger ones ... generations after generations to keep the Malay cultures, arts and dances alive in multi-cultural Singapore for every Singaporean to carry on joget, the graceful dances.  Enjoy!
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Gas-lighted Street Lamps in Olden Times

February 15, 2015, 4:33 am
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View of Orchard Road from the junction of Grange Road  c 1905

The antique-designed street lamp in Orchard Road was lighted with gas by City Council workers.

My blogger friend Lao Kokok posted his "Times Of My Life" well-researched [Kampong Bugis or "火城"] blog  here  to learn more.  Thus I add-on a similar blog topic as a supplement to other stuff to share.

Courtesy of Dr Tan Wee Kiat of ReTRIeVIA .


In 1993, a street-lighting ceremony was held at Clarke Quay to revive the memories of pioneer generation Singaporeans who remember that lamps in the public streets were lighted with gas by the City Council workers when night falls.

The brightly lit and decorated streets of Orchard Road are nowadays electronically and automatically switched on with timers during the Christmas lighting up and other festival events.

Thanks to the resources from newspaperSG of the National Library Board's online eResource.  Archived photos on this blog for credit to the National Archives of Singapore.

OUR GAS INDUSTRY
Another Municipal Activity.

EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY

(Source:  The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 26 October 1926.

It is now over 40 years since gas was first introduced to the public of Singapore and anybody who seeks a little knowledge of things connected with the local gas service cannot fail to be struck, not only by the tremendous advance that has been made since gas was first used here but also by the work that is done at the Municipal plant at Kallang, where millions of cubic feet of gas are now manufactured in a year.

In its early stage of introduction here its use was almost entirely restricted to lighting.  Our roads were brightened up and the residents welcomed the many advantages that gas lighting and, later, cooking, offered them.  Since those days there has been a gradual expansion in the use of gas particularly with regard to industrial purposes and use in the home for cooking and water heating.  The annual production of gas is now 300,000,000 cubic feet against 165,000,000 cubic feet per annum ten years ago.

Everyone knows that gas is manufactured from coal, coke and oil, and at the Works at Kallang all the processes can be seen in operation.  In order to take round a visitor and explain the different stages of gas production, a whole morning would be required, but the visit would prove very interesting.  One gazes in fascination at the huge retorts and the blazing furnaces below and passes from the sweltering heat of these compartments to spotlessly clean rooms where the pressure governing apparatus and the controlling meter are installed.

Location of the former Kallang Gas Works in olden times Singapore.

The Kallang Gas Works  c 1910



Visitors to the former Kallang Gas Works

Minister for Law E W Barker (right) visited Kallang Gas Works on 11 November, 1964

Each process requires careful control as it is now the practice to send out a strictly uniform quality of gas to meet the requirements and adjustments of the apparatus in use in the town.

Surrounding the retorts and furnaces are huge stacks of coal.  Usually about 6,000 tons of coal is kept in stock as reserve.  It is Australian coal and is brought up the Kallang river to the rear of the works in the coal thus stored from becoming over-heated, so the temperature is checked weekly and when it is found that the coal is becoming too hot it is dug out and carbonised.

The coal is mechanically conveyed to the retorts by an endless chain of buckets and deposited into overhead hoppers leading into the retorts which ate externally heated to a temperature of 1250 deg. C.

The By-products

Here the gas and volatile products of carbonisation are driven out of the coal, collected and purified.  The gas being freed from tar, sulphuer and ammonia, is finally pumped into the gas holders for distribution into the mains.  The holders at Kallang and the large one at Kreta Ayer, by reasons of their respective situations, ensure that there is no weakness of distribution to any part of the town.

About 20 per cent of the gas manufactured is made from coke and oil.  In this process coke in a large generator is raised to a white heat by means of turbo-blowers and then steam is blown through the incandescent mass, thus producing a high grade cas, by heating value of which can be varied by the introduction of volatilised oil.  The process is mechanically controlled so that when the coke becomes cooler by the introduction of steam, the steam is cut off and the coke again blown to a high heat.  Some 300,000 cubic feet of gas is manufactured here daily.

Storing the Gas

The storage of the prepared gas presents difficulties which are not generally appreciated.  The gas is pumped into the gas holders which are telescopic and sealed in large tanks under water, the pressure of gas to the town being produced by the actual weight of the holder floating in the tank.  At the outlet of each holder an automatic governor is in operation whereby a constant pressure is maintained.

A queer little machine looking quite out of place next to the big pumping engines, separates the clinkers from the coke which comes out from the furnaces in an unburnt form, and saves about 40 tons of coke a month.

During the process of carbonisation of coal very little of the energy of the coal is lost and it is this efficiency and also the production of valuable bye-products which enables gas, particularly as a source of heating, to be most economical.

The coke from the gas retorts is of a soft free-burning type and is particularly in demand for forge and glass furnace work.  The tar produced is distilled and a good dehydrated tar for road purposes and painting is produced while an excellent wood preservative is also prepared during the distillation

Gas-cooking Popular

There is no longer any doubt that the public of Singapore have learnt to appreciate the economy and other advantages of gas cooking.  This is proved by the demand for gas-cookers on hire during the last year.  Particular attention has been paid to the cleansing of cookers before they are dissembled as the works where there is a special department to deal with them.  The parts are immersed in a bath of boiling caustic soda so that they are rendered entirely free from any possible infection.  Apart from the allurement of a hygenic and clean kitchen and the spick and span appearance given by gas fixtures and fittings, the comfort of a hot bath has resulted in a demand for geysers quite unknown here some two or three years ago.

It is of interest to know that the gas department is quite a self-contained body having its own workshops which are quite a hive of industry.  Thus, in walking round, one is surprised amongst other things to come upon say the construction of lamp posts, which are being made of reinforced concrete and will probably be capable of baffling those motorists who are constantly trying conclusions with street lamp posts.  Very little of what goes on inside the works can be gleaned from an outside view, and there is nothing prepossessing about the place beyond the two large holders and a 90 foot brick chimney but an inside inspection is very full of interest.



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Travelling Circus in Town

February 27, 2015, 8:04 pm
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Since 2002, Singaporeans no longer had the chance to watch travelling circuses in Singapore.

When I grew up in Bukit Ho Swee in the 1950s, the children would be excited and curious whenever the colorful advertising posters were pasted prominently everywhere on the walls ..... "Circus in Town".

This nostalgia blog is curated with the resources from National Archives of Singapore and NewspaperSG of the National Library Board, Singapore with photo credit and acknowledgement.


There were adults in the audience too .....



I remember that I attended a "Circus Brazil" in 1959 when  I was at Delta School.  The circus was located at the Great World Amusement Park in Kim Seng Road, Singapore.

The concession tickets for students are booked through the school at $1.00 or $1.50 (matinee shows in the afternoon) for admission to the circus to watch the "live" performances of elephants, lions, tigers, horses ..... these are not domestic animals which people normally keep as pets.  There were 2 shows each day, one in the afternoon and one at night.

The travelling circuses are located at various parts of Singapore where there were vacant land to be rented for about 2 months.  The "Big Top" were set up and the performing animals were kept in cages outside the tents.


The "Great Royal Circus of India" sailed in a ship to Singapore on 7 July, 1968.  All the animals - lions, tigers, chimpanzees, donkeys, bears, dogs and the ligers (cross between a lion and a tiger) were kept in cages.



Various Travelling Circus in Singapore



Kinoshita Circus in 1956


The "Da Tian Qiu Circus" was formed in 1918 and the owner and aecrobat performers from Johor.

One of the circus performers, Sheum Chang Fu, left "Da Tian Qiu" to form the "Sheums Circus" in 1936.

Sheums Circus at Jalan Toa Payoh, Singapore  c 1965



According to "The Singapore Free Press" published on 22 November, 1926,  the ever popular Harmston's Circus in the east as long as some of the pioneer generation Singaporeans could remember.  Those whose recollection goes so far back will remember the debut of Bob Harmston's circus on the swampy triangular site at the bottom of Fort Canning Hill, where Tank Road Station once located.

There were many performing horses, elephants, tigers and other wild animal acts.  One of the features of a varied programmes presented by dare-devil Jenkins, who mounted on a Harley-Davidson motor-cycle jumped thirty-five feet - a skillful and thrilling feat.


Travelling Circus banned in Singapore in 2002

Some circuses were banned to protect animals and humans.

The Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has banned travelling circuses with performing wild animals from entering Singapore effective 1 January, 2002.

AVA had monitored the rate of mishaps and abuse from the use of wild animals in circuses in Singapore several years ago.  In some extreme cases, there have been serious injuries and dealth among trainers and audience members.

Singapore, however, has been accident-free over the past years.  The last circus in town was the Moscow Circus, in June 1998.

"Can you imagine if we have a circus here and one of the tiger leaps at the crowd?"

"But before animal lovers cry foul that the move is more in human interest than for the welfare of animals, the ban does target the abuse and mistreatment of animals by circus owners and trainers," said AVA.

The ban or restrict the use of wild animals in circus acts.  It is in the interest of public safety and animal welfare.  The AVA noted that the cages and containers used to transport and hold animals were unsuitable as permanent housing.

Moreover, training methods used by circuses have not been endorsed by any animal welfare organisation.

Since 2002, Singaporeans will have to go to the Singapore Zoological Gardens and Jurong Bird Park, instead of the circuses,  to see wild animals and birds.

The ban does not apply as the performing animals in these places need not travel, and are trained by a reward system.  In addition, these animals are housed in an environment that are designed to be as close to their natural habitat as possible.

We should not enjoy and have fun as an entertainment at the expense of other living creatures.

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Traditional Friendship of Singapore and United Kingdom Remain Strong

September 11, 2014, 6:03 am
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A toast to Queen Elizabeth II by PM Lee Kuan Yew at the Istana.  Photo Credit:  AFS collection
PM Lee Kuan Yew with Queen Elizabeth II during a dinner reception in Singapore

On the 90th birthday of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on 16 September, 2013, Queen Elizabeth II wrote in her birthday greetings: “Yours has been a most eventful life, inextricably interwoven with the history and development of your nation. It is notable that this year also marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence from the UK and I am delighted that the links between our countries remain so strong.”

Parliament also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on his 90th Birthday.



Although United Kingdom withdrew her military bases from Singapore over 4 decades ago, as discussed in the previous blog about the "pull-out" by Britain in 1971, the traditional friendship of Singapore and United Kingdom until today remain our relationship strong in many ways ... government to government and people to people.  It was a "pull-out" or withdrawal from Singapore which is now history,  the friendship and relationship of our two countries was never "cut-off".

In her birthday message to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Queen Elizabeth II said: "For over 50 years, you have been a decisive figure helping to shape Singapore's destiny and leading your country to peace and prosperity... You can look back on your achievements with pride."

British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson's article commemorating the 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence from the UK reported here .

On September 24, 1975, the British naval presence in Singapore ended when the little warship, HMS Mermaid (a 2,520 tonne frigate), pulled slowly from the dockside as the band of the Gordon Highlanders struck up a fantasia of British sea songs, and then 'Auld Lang Syne'.  The base had already been handed over by the British on December 1, 1968 and converted by the Singapore Government into a commercial repair yard.

On October 1, 1975 the Gordon Highlanders played their last game of football on the Padang.  This was where the British had first introduced the game of cricket and other sports, some 160 years earlier.  Having played this game they quietly moved away and the occasion passed unnoticed.

The last British soldier to leave Singapore was Colonel J.C.A. Swynnerton OBE.  He departed in a commercial aircraft on Mar 31, 1976.  The Straits Times described him as the 'last link' in a chain of events which had been started 157 years earlier by Sir Stamford Raffles, who had brought the first British soldiers with him.  At one time British forces had occupied particularly a tenth of the island.

By coincidence Sir Harold Wilson who, as Prime Minister, had ordered out the troops, was in Singapore ten years later to the very day.  At a dinner party Mr Lee Kuan Yew revealed his debt to Sir Harold Wilson, saying that but for Wilson's understanding and support at the time of Singapore's separation from Malaysia, the history of Singapore would have been different.  "Put simply, if obliquely, I was saved from martyrdom by Harold Wilson."  Lee doubted if there would have been an independent Singapore.  He admitted that Singapore today was not another 'broken-back country' mainly because of the considerate manner and measured pace of military withdrawal in 1968.  All military installations (barracks, airfields, naval base) were handed over in working order, free, and as quickly as they could be converted to civilian use.  As Lee pointed out, this was not always the case when a metropolitan power departed from other parts of Asia or Africa.

Visit of Sir Harold Wilson and Lady Wilson to Singapore in 1978

With the courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore, the archived photos of Sir Harold Wilson and Lady Wilson's 5-day visit to Singapore from January 9 to January 13, 1978 are curated on this blog to share.

On arrival in Singapore on January 9, 1978 by Singapore Airlines 

Acting Minister for Culture and Senior Minister of State for Communications Ong Teng Cheong and Mrs Ong at Paya Lebar airport to welcome former British Prime Minister (PM) Sir Harold Wilson and Lady Mary Wilson on the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.


Greetings by British High Commissioner to Singapore, John Peter Tripp
Greetings by wife of the British High Commissioner to Singapore, Mrs John Peter Tripp

Visit to the Istana

Sir Harold Wilson and Lady Mary Wilson paid a courtesy call on President Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares and Mrs Sheares at the Istana.

 

Dinner reception hosted by PM Lee Kuan Yew in honour of the Wilsons at the Istana

PM Lee Kuan Yew with Deputy PM and Minister of Defence Dr Goh Keng Swee and Minister of Health Dr Toh Chin Chye interacting with Sir Harold Wilson.


Sir Harold Wilson talking with Minister for Foreign Affairs S Rajaratnam and Mrs Piroska Rajaratnam.

Sir Harold Wilson talking with Minister for National Development Lim Kim San.

Minister for Finance Hon Sui Sen greets Sir Harold Wilson at the reception dinner.

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Minister for National Development Lim Kim San (left), Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology E W Barker and Mrs Barker interacting with former British PM Sir Harold Wilson before commencement of dinner reception at the Istana.

PM Lee Kuan Yew speaking at reception dinner
PM Lee Kuan Yew proposing a toast at the dinner reception at the Istana in honour of former British PM Sir Harold Wilson and Lady Mary Wilson.

Sir Harold Wilson speaking at the reception dinner held in his honour by PM Lee Kuan Yew.

Tribute to Lord Wilson
(Source:  The New Paper,  May 25, 1995)

"I have sometimes wondered what would have happened if Harold Wilson and the Labour Party had lost.  I believe that, almost certainly, there would not be an independent Singapore."
Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, acknowledging his debt to the former British Prime Minister on January 10, 1978 when Mr Lee entertained him to dinner at the Istana.  Lord Wilson, who announced the withdrawal of his country's military forces from Singapore in 1967, died peacefully in his sleep.  He was 79.

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School Bands - Cultural Life of Singapore

March 18, 2015, 10:13 pm
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At what age can a schoolboy in Singapore join the school bands?

Few schools had school bands 50 years ago and the primary school I attended on completion of the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) in 1961, did not have a school band.

Young children in Singapore who love music to play with musical instruments is the best opportunity to join the school band.

School Bands in Singapore are made up of student in the band CCA who perform music together with their respective instruments.  In Singapore, the school band is a Co-Curriculum Activity (CCA) that can typically be found in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, and Junior Colleges.  Being outside classroom school activities, CCAS act as an integral part of the student's holistic, well-rounded education, and are aimed at nurturing student qualities, and preparing them to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.  As with other CCAs, the programmes in Singapore school bands follow the Ministry of Education (MOE)'s CCAs guiding principles of building team spirit and responsibility, being broad based with opportunities to specialize, being responsive to inculcating national values and skills, as we as promoting social integration.




In the above photos (including the archived photos on this blog with courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore and other contributors), Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew speaking to school band members during Telok Ayer Community Centre's seventh anniversary celebration in Hokkien Huay Kuan on 3 June, 1967.


Presentation of baton to drum major of Tampines Primary School in 1980.


A Malay band leading the welcoming procession through a narrow village path to Changi Tamil School during Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's tour to Changi constituency on 19 May, 1963.

In 1965, the Ministry of Education first launched the Band Project as part of the Extra-Curriculum Activity Programme (ECA) (renamed as Co-Curriculum Activity or CCA in 1999 in both Primary and Secondary Schools.  It was aided by the directive given by the then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who instructed that the formation of school bands should be considered as a "High Priority".

Singapore's 500,000 school children in 1970 have come to accept band playing, marching and drill activities as an important aspect of their extra curricular activities.  This could be seen on school fields, public parks or on the concert stage.

The government in introducing this programme in the schools, had recognised the fact that group discipline and a sense of national identity could be gained by students participating in bands as an extra curricular activity and the positive influence on public morale when school bands are heard and seen performing at outdoor functions and music festivals to entertain everyone in Singapore.

The Music Department of the Ministry of Education was charged with the responsibility of forming and training bands, and undertook the challenge to form the bands in schools.

This was an encouragement for other schools which were wary of embarking on an expensive experiment to benefit the students.

It was a costly school expenditure for musical instruments, an unusual extra curricular activity for schools in this part of the world.

Financial assistance from the Government was supported and this was the greatest contributing factor to the success of the school band project 50 years ago.

Government schools as well as Government-aided schools received substantial subsidies for purchase of instruments as well as uniform.

Training was provided free, given by bandmasters and bandsmen paid from Government funds.



The school brass band members during the 15th anniversary celebration of Tanjong Katong Girls' School on 12 March, 1968.


The primary school band stole the show at a National Cadet Corps Parade at Queenstown.  The 60-strong Hua Yi Primary School Band, Singapore's champion primary group of musicians was given rounds of applause, some of it coming from the flats overlooking the parade ground.  To the strain of stirring militia music, the boys and girls average age of 9, stepped out in style in a performance that lived up to its reputation.  The event on 5 July, 1969.



A petite 1.47 metres Miss Tan Chay Ee, 15, and the smallest of them all was the best when she won the drum-major award trophy and mace.  Chay Ee presenting the band from Outram Secondary and Kim Seng Technical School stood out among 15 other drum majors and majorettes at the inter-secondary school band competition finals at Kallang Theatre.  Picture shows Chay Ee, clutching her drum major award trophy and mace, was chaired by her band friends during the competition on 2 July, 1977.

PM Lee Hsien Loong in his school band

In the 1968 National Day Parade on 9 August, 1968, PM Lee Hsien Loong played the clarinet marching with the Catholic High School band at the Padang.





[There was a heavy downpour that August 9.  The then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had to decide whether to proceed with the parade or to postpone it.  He decided to proceed, for to do otherwise would have implied that Singaporeans were not resilient.  My mother, my brother Hsien Yang and I watched with pride from the windows of my father's office in City Hall as Hsien Loong marched past]
Source:  Straits Times 2 August, 2009.  "The march of a confident nation" by Lee Wei Ling.

National Day Parade 1969 third rehearsal at the Padang - Combined School Bands of Catholic High School and Raffles Institution, led by Drum Major Lee Hsien Loong on 27 July, 1969.




On National Day,  9 August, 1969






The National Day Parade 1968 at Chinatown

The Bugle and Fife School Band


Many years later, Singapore had her first All Girls Bagpipe Band .

Band Performance at the MacRitchie Reservoir


Pioneer generation Singaporeans, please share your fond nostalgic memories during your primary, secondary and junior college bands in Singapore over the decades.  Thanks for sharing our memories to celebrate Singapore50!

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Mystery of the "Gold Rush" at Queenstown

April 4, 2015, 8:08 am
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An abandoned WWII ammunition bunker near Kay Siang Road

There are no gold bars, treasure chests or hidden precious stuff buried underneath the vicinity of the abandoned bunkers near Kay Siang Road in Queenstown, Singapore.

Heritage fans and curious members of the public who are treasure hunters are advised not to cause a  "gold rush" to these little known spots in Queenstown.  To visit these abandoned bunkers on their own without the permission of the relevant authorities for the heritage tours at the sites.  Trepass is illegal and access to the bunkers are hazardous at own risk.  The management will not accept liability for any accidents, damage or loss incurred.


MediaCorp's Channel News Asia video team were present to film the heritage trail and interviewed the organisers and guides at the heritage tour.

The soundproof bunkers at Kay Siang Road were built before World War II, and they were believed to have been used by the British.

"According to the residents, they informed us that this was a so-called storage facility for the British army," explained Muhd Herizzad Ruslan from The Other Site of Singapore.  "It was where they put all their guns and ammunition inside.  (Source:  CNA).



A new trail showcasing Queenstown's past will begin in May and will take place on the last Saturday of each month.

From abandoned bunkers along Kay Siang Road, to the 'Butterfly Block' at Queensway's Block 168A - these are just some of the iconic landmarks that participants will get to visit on a new free, guided heritage trail of the Dawson and Alexandra neighbourhoods in Queentstown.

The tour will take place every last Saturday of the month and will begin in May.  It is organised by civic groups My Community and The Other Sites of Singapore, and supported by the Queenstown Citizens' Consultative Committee and the National Heritage Board.

This is the second trail to be launched as part of the My Queenstown Heritage Trail series. The other trail explores the Tanglin Halt and Duchess estates and takes place every last Sunday of the month.
The first heritage trail was posted to a previous blog here .

Media Preview of Dawson and Alexandra Heritage Trail

With thanks to Mr Kwek Li Yong, President of My Community, Chairman of Queenstown Heritage and Mr Jasper Tan of My Community, The Other Sites of Singapore (TOSS) and Queenstown CCC who invited me to the Media Preview of Dawson and Alexandra Heritage Trail on Saturday, 4 April, 2015.

The invitation added: "We would like to advise you to bring an umbrella, insect repellent, water bottle and wear shoes that are suitable for thick vegetation.  We would also like to inform that this heritage trail may be unsuitable for children and people with disability."

It sounds to me like a jungle trek in the forest or to climb up the hilly footpaths on an adventure off the untrodden path to experience and new stuff to learn.

Explore Queenstown’s colonial history in an unforgettable adventure through Dawson and Alexandra neighbourhoods.

Participants to the new guided tour can look forward to many impressive landmarks such as Alexandra Hospital, Princess House, the former Archipelago Brewery Company, the first HDB Point Blocks and bunkers along Kay Siang Road.

The Dawson and Alexandra Heritage Tour is part of the My Queenstown Heritage Trail series and the trail is opened to the public and interested participants can register for the free, guided tour, which takes place on the last Saturday of every month, through www.myqueenstown.eventbrite.sg, myqueenstown@gmail.com or call Queenstown Community Centre at 64741681.

About Queenstown

The story of Queenstown began on 27 September 1953 when British officials from the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) named the new town after Queen Elizabeth II to mark her coronation a year ago. The colony suburb was the most ambitious project initiated by SIT to tackle overcrowding woes in Chinatown. Bounded by Ridout Road, Tanglin Road, Alexandra Road, Holland Road and the Malayan Railway, the self-contained estate would comprise of 11,000 apartment flats housing 70,000 people, and cost some $80,000,000.

Construction of the new satellite town began at the former Buller Camp in Princess Estate. The former burial ground and farmland at Boh Beh Kang village (Hokkien: 无尾港; No Tail River) were later cleared to make way for public housing. When the Housing and Development Board (HDB) took over from the colonial government’s Singapore Improvement Trust in February 1960, work has begun in three out of the five planned neighbourhoods in Queenstown, namely Neighbourhood 1 (Princess Estate), Neighbourhood 2 (Duchess Estate) and Neighbourhood 5 (Queens’ Crescent). The Board added two more neighbourhoods in Mei Ling and Buona Vista.

There were seven neighbourhoods with distinct identity in Queenstown. As a satellite estate, each neighbourhood came with its own amenities while larger facilities such as the library and sports complex were shared by the entire town.

A myriad of social institutions were pioneered in Singapore's first satellite town. In 1956, the first technical school was opened to equip future generations of Singaporeans with technical knowledge and skills to ride Singapore through industralisation. In 1963, Singapore's first polyclinic was built along Margaret Drive to provide access to subsidised healthcare. In 1970, the first branch library and sports complex were ushered in the estate.

By 1980, Queenstown’s oldest flats were 30 years old. Sparse and offering scant niceties, the estate were mirroring the greying of their original occupants. The next generation of residents who grew up in Queenstown, were heading towards newer estates due to a lack of development and various restrictions to own flats in mature estates. Demolition works in the aging residential estate commenced in the 1990s and 2000s and many iconic landmarks such as Tah Chung Emporium, Queenstown Japanese Gardens, Queenstown Remand Prison and Margaret Drive Hawker Centre were torn down.

Rejuvenation in Queenstown takes place in the form of Selective Enbloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) where high-density precincts are inserted in Queenstown’s older neighbourhoods. In 2005, Queenstown emerged as Singapore’s costliest estate. Once again, Queenstown has become a desirable address for Singaporeans.

For media enquiries and interviews, please contact:

Kwek Li Yong President of My Community Mobile: 92207712 Email: kwekliyong@gmail.com

About My Queenstown and My Community

My Community champions the preservation and propagation of history and heritage in communities and civic spaces. In Queenstown, My Queenstown carries out research, documentation and forging partnerships with various stakeholders to make heritage and civic life vibrant and enriching. My Community was formed in 2010 as a society under the Registries of Societies (ROS)

The Slippery Muddy Forest Trek to Discover the Bunkers




The Journey to Explore at My Queenstown

The former Queenstown Driving Test Centre
(Photo left to right)  Lam Chun See,  Cheng Pei Yun,  a friend,  Thimbuktu,  Philip Chew,  KL Lee


Forfar House




Former Forfar House built by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) in the 1960s.
Photo source:  National Archives of Singapore.





Forfar Heights built by Housing & Development Board (HDB) completed in 2005



On the right of the photo,  at the junction of Dawson Road and Alexandra Road, the former Hock Lee Bus Depot where the major riots occurred in 1955.
Blogger friend Lam Chun See pose for a photo for sweet memories ...
The former school field of Hua Yi  Primary School ( 华义小学 ) at Margaret Drive.
Tiong Ghee Temple, the oldest Taoist temple in Queenstown.

Mission accomplished! We arrived safely at the Queenstown MRT Station at about 12:00 noon after a three and half hour heritage trail to learn more about Queenstown and revive fond nostalgic memories to share.
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Why Lee Kuan Yew Did Not Remove Eyes And Break Teeth To Seek Revenge

May 7, 2015, 8:27 am
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The Civilian War Memorial Park at Beach Road, Singapore


The Civilian War Memorial is a monument dedicated to civilians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942-1945).  It is located on a parkland, along Beach Road, opposite Raffles City, in the Downtown Core of Singapore's Central Region.  The structure of four pillars soar to more than 68 metre symbolising the shared 'war experiences' of the Chinese, Indians, Malays and other races.

It resembles two pairs of chopsticks, so it is affectionately called the "chopsticks" memorial because of its unusual design. 

Since its completion and unveiling on 15 February, 1967, exactly 25 years after the "Fall of Singapore", every year on 15 February, ex-servicemen, families and others gather at the memorial to commemorate that fateful day.

History

In World War II, Singapore fell to the Japanese Forces, who occupied Singapore from 15 February, 1942 to 15 September, 1945.  The total loss of civilian lives remains uncertain.  A major massacre was that of "Operation Sook Ching" (which literally means "to purge" or "to eliminate").  The atrocities which occurred started on 18 February, 1942, shortly after the fall of Singapore.  Among the civilians who lost their lives were a large number of Chinese.  The torture and killing was a mass exercise to wipe out potential threats.  These atrocities continued until the Japanese surrendered in World War II.  The numbers of those taken away and massacred can never be accessed, but unofficial figures put the number of dead at about 50,000 people.

Discovery of Human Remains

On 15 February, 1942, in a headline, "Mass war graves found in Siglap's "valley of death", the Straits Times reported the discovery of five separate war graves located in a "Valley of Tears" in the Siglap area.  Twenty years ago, on its rugged countryside, hundreds of civilians of which a large number were Chinese residents, were rounded up by the Japanese Army, machine-gunned, and buried in several places.  The massacres by the Japanese took place during their occupation in 1942-1945.  The human remains were uncovered during sandwashing operations in an area off the 7.5 mile Siglap Road.  Subsequent investigations were carried out by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce team.

Source:  "Elements of Enterprise: 100 years of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry'"



In remembrance of her late husband, Dr Hum Wai, who was killed during the Japanese occupation, tears streamed down the cheeks of 80-year old Madam Ng Kuai Chee.  She was attending a special service at the Civilian War Memorial in Beach Road on 15 February, 1975.


Relatives praying before the 600 urns containing the remains of civilian victims of Japanese massacres during the war before the remains were moved to a new memorial site in Beach Road for re-burial on 31 October, 1966.



In 1962, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry spearheaded a community effort to erect the War Memorial at Beach Road in remembrance of victims who sacrificed their lives in the cause of peace.  This solemn occasion gives the SCCCI an opportunity to remind future generations about the atrocities of war, and to value peace, freedom and the importance of total defence.

Singapore fell to the Japanese on February 15, 1942.  Built 25 years later, the memorial has four vertical pillars symbolising the shared war experiences of the four races in Singapore.  Underneath the structure lay the remains of unknown war victims.

The Civilian War Memorial monuments was completed in 1967 and dedicated to civilians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.



Representatives from various religious organisations lay the wreath and pay their respects in front of the Civilian War Memorial.  -  STRAITS TIMES PHOTO:  NEO XIOBIN

Seeking Retrospective Justice

Excerpt from the "Elements of Enterprise: 100 years of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry'" commemorative magazine.

Claiming a rib of earth as one's own abode and habitat can also mean purging it of the remnants of war.  Hordes were massacred during the Japanese occupation of Singapore.  In a symbolic gesture to atone for the souls of those who sacrificed their lives during the war, the Chamber sought justice by seeking reparation from the Japanese for this debt of blood.  In May 1946, it marshalled like-minded people together and mooted the idea of an "Appeal Committee for the Singapore Chinese Victims Massacred by the Japanese!" The following month, on June 2, 1946, a meeting was held at the Chamber during which the kith and kin of the war victims congregated in the thousands, and the Appeal Committee, comprising 37 members, was set up.

The grisly remains of war victims began to be exhumed at over ten sites in Singapore between January and February of 1962.  At a monthly meeting of the Chambers' council, a second 'Disposal of Remains Committee' was appointed to ensure that the bodies would be treated with dignity.  Between 14 March, 1963 and October 27, 1966, 35 sites around the island were excavated and the remains placed into 609 urns.

On 21 April, 1963, 609 organisations representing all the races convened for a meeting to discuss the issue.  A rally was held at the Padang on 25 August, 1963, where more than 10,000 people gathered and observed a three-minute silence in remembrance for the deceased.  Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew mentioned in his speech that a stab at some resolution be insisted upon after the three motions raised by the crowd were passed:  to unite with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak in a joint claim for the debt of blood,  to adopt a stance of hostility, towards the Japanese if they refused to pay, and to petition the government into denying for any Japanese into Singapore should this occur.  (The blood debt was finally settled in October 1966 with $50 million half of which comprised loans, and half as grants. 
In 1963, Prime Minister Lee allocated a piece of land to the west of Beach Road for the erection of the Memorial Park.  The four pillars of this cenotaph symbolised the four ethnic groups in Singapore, each with its record of martyrs who had died for Singapore.  On 15 February, 1967, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Japanese Occupation, Prime Minister Lee unveiled the War Memorial to bring repose to the souls of the honourable dead.  Since then, on February 15 of each year, the Chamber hosts a ceremony dedicated to the heroes who gave their lives to defend the country, and as a sombre reminder that a past not forgotten is the best lesson for the future.



Caught unaware in a photo by Lina Koh at Soh Kiak's studio while taking some research notes for this blog.

More research was done at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at the National Library Building at Victoria Street, Singapore, online resources from NewspaperSG, National Archives of Singapore and other relevant publications and assistance of many heritage friends to compile information to share on  the blog with thanks and acknowledgement with gratitude.

The humorous title of this blog topic is intended as a "cheek-in-tongue" to attract the attention of blog readers and friends.

I beg your pardon and please forgive me to blog in this way because the death of loved ones is not a laughing matter.  Its not funny.

It is difficult emotionally for Singaporeans to imagine how many hundreds of thousands of innocent people were affected by a man-made disaster created by force by the armed forces of a country to conquer territories to win by inhuman and undemocratic means and military power to attack with bullet and machines ... not peacefully by ballots.

Founding father of modern Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his cabinet colleagues, the Government, together with community and religious leaders and like-minded people in Singapore who worked together to help, resolve and rebuild a war-torn Singapore over 50 years ago to transform this same place formerly strewn with bombed buildings and dead bodies in the streets to start all over again to clean up, organize and revive the resilient spirit and soul of the Singaporeans to be a better place to play, to work and live with hope and opportunities in Singapore today and the future generations.

There was a time in Singapore after the war when hatred, sorrow and resentment and revenge filled the air everywhere.  In jest, bitterness of revenge of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" would lead to a blind and toothless people of many generations which are still happening in some war-torn countries today.

Together with Mr Lee and the pioneer generation of  Singaporeans, our blessed forefathers who survived the war then picked up the broken pieces in this land and did countless ways for another generation in a brave new world with strength and hope ... without bitterness of the past.  We were not grievance collectors without benefits for the people.  World War II was a bitter lesson for everyone in the world to learn.  Let there be world peace!

"Appeal Committee for the Singapore Chinese Victims Massacred by the Japanese!"



Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at a meeting with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce War Memorial Committee members on 30 May, 1962.


Prime Minister meeting with War Memorial Committee and other religious leaders on 13 June, 1963


War Memorial Exhibition at Victoria Memorial Hall on 15 June, 1963



Cutting The SOD By The Prime Minister on 15 June, 1963


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Leaders of the Inter-Religious Organisation at the ceremony.

The Completion of the "Chopstick Memorial on 15 February, 1967


Gesture Of Atonement For War Dead Awaited

Source:  The Straits Times dated 16 June, 1963

Mr Lee Kuan Yew today expressed the hope that animosities would soon be resolved with a suitable gesture of atonement from the Japanese Government for the massacre of Singapore civilians during the last war.

The Premier was speaking at the "breaking the SOD" ceremony at a site on a vacant ground opposite Raffles Institution which has been chosen for a $750,000 memorial to commemorate the war dead.

Mr Lee told a gathering which included representatives of inter-religious organisations and members of the consular corps.

"However painful the past, we have to live and plan for the future, without being hobbled by past experiences.

He said the ceremony of dedicating the ground to the memory of all races and religion who died in Japanese-occupied Singapore, was part of the process of making the past less unbearable.

Symbolical

He added:  "We cannot altogether forget, nor completely forgive.

"But we can salve the feelings that rankle in so many hearts, first in symbolically putting these souls at rest, and next in having the Japanese express their sincere regret for what took place."



Then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (now Prime Minister) releasing white pigeons and laying a wreath during Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) at Civilian War Memorial at Beach Road on 12 September, 1995.



Rest in Peace, founding Prime Minister  Lee Kuan Yew for his legacy and his compassion and a great job done for the atonement of the war dead at the Civilian War Memorial Park in Singapore.

General of the Japanese Army during World War II


Tomoyuki Yamashit (November 8, 1885 - February 23, 1946) - General of the Japanese army during World War II.  September 2, 1945, he was taken prisoner by the Americans.  During the trial in Manila, the American military court sentenced Yamashita to death and was hanged on February 23, 1946.
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50plus Expo 2015 - Singapore Jubilee Edition

May 24, 2015, 7:49 am
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The main stage of the 50plus Expo 2015 (Singapore  Jubilee Edition)

The 50plus Expo was a long-awaited annual event to embark on an active ageing journey for Singaporeans and non-Singaporean visitors.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 50plus Expo 2015 (Singapore Jubilee Edition) was postponed.  It was originally scheduled to hold from 27 March to 29 March, 2015 at Suntec Singapore.

The event was changed to 15 May to 17 May, 2015 at the same venue as a mark of respect to the late founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who passed away on 23 March, 2015.  The 7-day public mourning period and the state funeral on 29 March, 2015.

The 50plus Expo 2015 is hosted by Council for Third Age (C3A), supported by Ministry of Health Singapore, organised by Pico in celebration of SG50.

 On the journey of L.I.F.E. at the Live, Inspire, Fulfil and Enjoy zones.




At the LIVE zone - the stage area - jazz up your active ageing journey by celebrating and embracing all your life's achievement.  Get up close and personal with local celebrities in daily special appearances and join them in the high-energy Singapore Cheers!

At the INSPIRE zone, discover how you can be a source of empowerment and relish in everything that you do.  Realise your fullest potential through activities including volunteerism, Vlog making and resistance band training.

At the ENJOY zone, the best prescription for a happy active senior is an active mind, a healthy body and a learning spirit.  Check out the Learning Avenue for a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.  Take a putt at the mini golf station and try your hand at food art and vertical gardening for a day of laugh and enjoyment with your family.

At the FULFIL zone, seek out your passions and fulfil your dreams.  Pick up new interests like ukulele, palm leaf weaving, calligraphy and batik painting to embark on an exciting and interesting active ageing journey.  Learn how to live well with superfoods, herbs and spices workshops and easy cooking demonstration.

At the "beach" to enjoy the sun, sea and sand .....
The smiling "Cheer Singapore Team" volunteers pose for a group photo
To learn more about CPF and MediSave Plus
Keep Fit Corner to exercise
Thimbuktu with Eleanor Yap, Director/Editor of Ageless Online
The 2 lady "Cheer Singapore" leaders lead the team for rehearsal



Official Launch of 50plus Expo 2015 (Singapore Jubilee Edition)

Guest-of-Honour:  Dr Amy Khor
Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower


Speech by Dr Amy Khor

 


Mdm Chua Foo Yong, Chairman, Council for Third Age, sang a meaningful and inspirational Mandarin song "Seagull" [海鸥] to invite everyone to sing together.




FORUM TALKS - "Reviving Memories of Singapore through Blogging" by James Seah

 

This video clip on YouTube with courtesy of Lina Catcat, a fellow blogger who posted a related blog "Enjoy Your Life With C3A"  for an interesting reading pleasure.
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Singapore Constitution Exposition Souvenir Number 1959

July 4, 2015, 8:21 am
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Produced by the Department of Information Services and printed by The Straits Times Press Ltd.
Price: 75 cts.  (Photo courtesy of National Library Board).

This Singapore
Who are we in Singapore who celebrate the recognition and realisation of our right to govern ourselves, and what is the homeland it will be our responsibility to maintain and develop? 
We cannot claim to be great in age or large in physical stature.  Modern Singapore is 140 years old from the date when Sir Stamford Raffles first landed to establish the trading settlement which has grown to the Singapore of today.  This cannot compare with the millennia of the histories of India and China, although with their peoples, the fruits of their long-maturing cultures have come to us. 
We have no ancient monuments to match the temples of Angkor Wat or Bangkok, Mandalay or Borobodur.  Our oldest building is the Assembly House the land for which was bought by Raffles and the first part of which was completed as a merchant's house in 1827.  Yet there are in the central part of the city buildings enought to retain something of the leisurely atmosphere of the 19th century days of Singapore, and to remind us of the many, of recorded and unrecorded name, who built our inheritance. 
Geographically, we are an island of 210 square miles, 26 miles from East to West and 14 miles from North to South, an infinitesimal part of the great land mass of Asia.  Our highest hill is Bukit Timah Hill which rises humbly to 581 feet and is no Everest.  Our longest river is the Sungei Seletar which is nine miles in length, neither a Brahmaputra nor a Yang-tse-kiang.  And our population of a million and a half stands in comparison with the billion and a half of the population of Asia. 
If then so small, why so significant? 
First because of our geographical position.  The claim to a central position appears fanciful at first when Singapore is seen on the map as a little dot of land falling from Asia.  But if it is not geometrically the centre, it is the centre of Asia's system of communications.  With the high mountains of Central Asia and the deep gorges and tropical forests of the rivers which lead away from them, there has been, and still is, no land highway across Asia, except in Russian-occupied Asia, and for the traditional caravan and pilgrim routes behind the Himalayas. 
While one can drive in comfort from Madrid to Moscow (with only man-made barriers) one cannot drive from Delhi to Peking.  Even the road which the Fourteenth Army made from Assam into North Burma during the Burma campaign of 1944-45, and the railway built by the prisoners of war from Burma to Siam have collapsed, and landward communications in Asia remain unchanged.  The aeroplane is overcoming the these geographical barriers and Singapore has established herself as a major junction of international air services.  But the aeroplane cannot carry the major volume of the passenger and goods transport of a world increasingly on the move. 
There then remains the sea-route.  In early history when the land presents barriers, the sea is the channel of communication.  In times of classic history it was by sea that the riches of Malaya, the "Golden Chersonnese" found their way to Imperial Rome through the intermediary of traders from Southern India and from the Arabian coastlands.  It was by sea that the European powers broke in strength into South Asia and opened the chapter of passive Asia history is now yielding place to a new chapter of an active Asia.  It was through the Straits of Malacca that the Indian merchants came to set up their dynasties in the Malay lands, and they were followed by the Dutch and British East Indian Companies. And with the opening of the Suez Canal, these Straits became one of the greatest arterial highways of marine trade.
So Singapore stands at the southern entrance of this highway, and it stands at the gateway from the Indian Ocean to the South China Seas at a time when Asia is working out its own strategy and its own balance of power.  Singapore is therefore in the centre of the Asian stage, and its days will be of greater rather then of less significance in the Asia century ahead.
Again, Singapore is situated in the centre of one of richest areas in the world, in the centre of the Malaysian region of Malaysia and South-East Asia.  Rangoon, Bangkok, Saigon, Manila and Djakarta circle her within easy sea range.  This area contains the tropical produce which was sought by the countries of the temperate zones of Asia and of Europe.  Its gold and spices were sought by the European powers as their standard of living grew, and as the spices became essential to preserve the foodstuff of their expanding economies.  The Chinese sought its riches.  For Raffles, Singapore was the centre of South-East Asia and not a stopping-place on the route to China.  And when the new industrial age needed rubber and tin it was in these areas in which they were produced.  Most of the natural rubber and of the tin used today (in 1959) come from South-East Asia. 
These commodities were not grown or mined in Singapore, but Singapore became the centre for the marketing of rubber and the smelting of tin.  And with so much of this region still unsurveyed as well as undeveloped, new mineral resources or new tropical crops may yet bring to this area an era of prosperity even greater then was brought by tin and rubber.  And in the promotion and the enjoyment of that new prosperity a Singapore accepted as an integral part of South-East Asia can play a major part. 
The trade of the central market-place of Singapore was not only in collecting the material of South-East Asia and distributing it.  As the new wealth came to these countries, so there grew their demand for the products of other countries, particularly of the industrial countries, first of Europe and then America and then of the newly industrialised and efficient countries of Asia. 
But people have not only passed by Singapore, and it is not only goods which have met in the market-place of Singapore.  Most significant of all is the meeting of peoples and the languages and religions and cultures they have carried with them.  Men came from every continent to Singapore in search of free and peaceful trade.  This has been so from the beginning of Singapore so that no one group could claim to have consolidated the commercial position which Raffles, from the Asian knowledge and British powers and personal intuition, had established. 
Irrespective of race, each had his part to play in the closely-knit mechanism of trade.  Each group was free to follow its own way of life.  Not only did East meet West in Singapore, but East met East.  This has created the multi-lingual Singapore of today (in 1959). 
This has brought Singapore a great heritage, a heritage which will be all the more fruitful once the establishment of the new State and its new loyalty neutralises the political overtones of many languages and many cultures, and as our education system restores languages as means of communication rather than symbols of separation. 
It has kept Singapore open to the new political winds which are blowing across the world and particularly across Asia.  It has brought to Singapore in its new and settled younger generation a range of skills and aptitudes which is unique.  And finally its mirrors the problem of adjustment within the new Asia. 
If, within a Malayan territory the peoples of the three great racial groups of Asia can not only live together tolerantly and with as little friction as they have done in the past, but can co-operate together in building a microcosm of Asia not only in the racial blend, but in the creation of a welfare city-state, the future of Singapore can be symbolic of a future for Asia which because it guarantee peace and prosperity for Asia can go a long way to guarantee it for a world in which Asia plays an increasingly important part in her own right and with her own voice.  To set out this bright prospect is to imply the possibility of the opposite, which adds to the incentive to ensure that the good prevails. 
And Singapore is concerned with the long future, because the young future-looking sector of her population is larger than the older backward-looking sector of the population, and is growing in proportion.  Our population of one and a half million today (in 1959) will become two million in 1965, and while 50% of our population is now 21 years of age or under, in 1965, 46% of our population will be 14 years of age or under.  Singapore must think and act in a younger idiom to appeal to this group, but the younger idiom must be be adolescent in substance.  For the problem of providing this rising young sector with the better standard of life they, as Singapore's first predominantly local-born generation, have come to expect from their homeland, is going to require all the intelligence, initiative and inspiration which can be mustered.  But this is not a subject of regret. 
With this young population there should be an added verve and vitality, an added pool of skills and an added enthusiasm in nation-building which have as much right to be considered assets as liabilities.  When a community, or a section of the community, feels unwanted or subject for apology, it is surely beginning to doubt itself and its purposes. 
Finally, the answer to the question, "Who are we who celebrate" lies in a phrase which can now be used literally and not only metaphorially for the first time, "We of Singapore." For the first time in its history Singapore has become the homeland of the great majority of its citizens.  Our youngest generation are almost all born in Singapore and are therefore not only citizens in law, but citizens by nature and upbringing for they know nothing at first hand beyond when they have seen in Singapore.  They have absorbed the scenes and attitudes of Singapore all their days.  [Emphasis in bold italic font by blogger himself]. 
And with the new citizenship laws, the great majority of the adults, at least 80%, have taken out Singapore citizenship renouncing all other loyalties.
Without this definition of the family and the creation of family feelings the new move forward to self-government would have lost its basic in logic and in emotion.  A new Asian community is shaping itself and must earn its place in the Asian scene.  This leads to a change of emphasis in our policy.  The member of the family inherits not only duties, but rights which would not be appropriate to a visitor no matter how long he stays and how friendly he is. 
The new social services of the welfare state must be provided as far as is economically possible.  It follows, too, though Singapore is a strategic centre, a centre of communications, a market-place and a meeting-place it is now a homeland, and the carrying out of its many functions must be made consistent with the rights and welfare of the people of Singapore. 
This does not mean that the efficient performance of our international functions is of less importance or can be ignored.  For without them, the earning power of Singapore is lost, but it demands a re-definition of the balance in reconciling the claims of international functions and internal needs in framing the policy of the future. 
This then is the situation in which the new political machinery gives new power to this new homeland to shape its course into the future.
Singapore Today (1959) and Singapore Today (2015)

This original, unedited article published 56 years ago is reproduced on this blog to share my heritage friends who have never read this before.

The meaning of the same words at different times for different generations to be read against the backgrounds and props of a same place in Singapore.

The vast changes of the socio-political, economics and a very different world in over 50 years.  Everything everywhere are moving forward in the world, some in faster ways, some slowly and some remained stagnant .....

Our founding fathers of modern Singapore have enlightened foresight to look forward in 5, 10 years forward in planning for the future of Singapore.

A popular quotation of the late Malaysia Prime Minister Tengku Abdul Rahman, "Don't cross the bridge until you come to it ..."

Many decades later, someone with the bright ideas of building a crooked bridge to link Singapore and Johor causeway for people and vehicles to cross.

Remember the nursery rhyme "there was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile"?  Modern day version "the crooked man has a crooked mind to build a crooked bridge".

Singaporeans think differently.  What to be done in 1959 with a population of one and a half million as compared to over 5 million Singaporeans in Singapore?

As our post-war baby boomers turn 65 years old from 2012 onwards, Singapore experienced an unprecedented age shift.  Over 900,000 baby boomers, more than a quarter of the current citizen population, retired from the workforce and enter their silver years.

What happened to cater to the elder Singaporeans in wheel-chairs with access-free overhead bridges, public roads in buildings and places planned over 10 years ago.

The weak and frail elder Singaporeans cannot even cross the bridge until they come to it ..... many would need wheel-chairs to travel around.

Singapore mothers-to-be today who are concerned about the childcare and education of their children when born would have peace of mind that the amenities in the community are planned and available.

Next blog: Singapore Constitution Exposition 1959 .


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Singapore Constitution Exposition 1959

July 4, 2015, 10:23 pm
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Photo of the Singapore Constitution Exposition with courtesy of the National Library Board, Singapore.
 
Recently, the irememberSG group on Facebook posted this message:
 
[In 1937, the Kallang Airport, Singapore's first purpose-built civil airport, was opened in the Kallang Basin area.
 
Since ceasing operations following the opening of the Paya Lebar Airport in 1955, it has been conserved by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and was even used as one of the main venues for the 2011 Singapore Biennale!

This photo above shows the entrance of the Singapore Constitution Exposition, held in 1959 to celebrate Singapore's self governance, ...on the former airport's runway.

Do you have any memories of the old Kallang Airport?]

Memories of the old Kallang Airport and Singapore Constitution Exposition in 1959

I did not have any memories of the old Kallang Airport when I was 11 years old in 1959 while living at the Bukit Ho Swee kampong where I was born.

As a child, I knew very little about Singapore except for the stuff I learn in school from textbooks.

I knew nothing about the Singapore Constitution Exposition which was held at the old Kallang Airport.

For many years until I went to secondary school, I was accompanied by my mother and did not roam or travel around Singapore on my own within a radius of 3 miles of the place during my kampong days. 

No wonder I was considered a "suaku" or "kampong bumpkin" as a child.

From research material from the online resources at National Archives of Singapore, National Library Board's newspaperSG e-resources and other resources on the Internet, I learn more on this blog topic to share with my heritage friends.
 

The emblem of the Singapore Constitution Exposition features four intertwining circles representing the major races in the Colony.  One of the exposition fountains was depicted along with the City Council's crest and the motto "Majullah Singapura".  Source:  Free Press.


The Singapore Constitution Exposition held at the Kallang Park in 1959
The location layout of the Singapore Constitution Exposition 1959

Singapore Constitution Exposition 1959 under construction






The Singapore Constitution Exposition (SCE) 1959 at Kallang Park was organised by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the full internal self-government to Singapore.

The SCE was described as a spectacular exhibition and the most outstanding celebration of its kind ever to be staged in this part of the world.

The Exposition represents a cross-section of races, cultures, goods, goods, costumes and ways of living into view the daily life in Singapore of racial harmony and tolerance.

(Source:  The Singapore Free Press,  11 February 1959).

What's New?

Ballons for the children.  These happy youngsters were just a few of the many children who celebrated Chinese New Year on 9 February, 1959 with a visit to the Singapore Constitution Exposition.  And for them at least, one of the most popular men there was the ballon sellers.



The organisers strongly recommended that visitors to the Exposition during the month to go by sea from Clifford Pier or by public transport so as to avoid traffic congestion along the roads leading to the exposition as well as at the car parks around the Exposition site.

The 20 girl receptionists of the travelled in launches from Clifford Pier to see the Exposition from the sea.  The boat-ride, which was a trial, took about 20 minutes and gave the general impression of the Exposition at night - a glowing fairyland.


Freebies for visitors to the Singapore Constitution Exposition

It appears that the SCE was a grand scale of trade fair or exhibition which I first attended at the Great World Amusement Park with my mother in 1958. 

My guest blog on this topic was posted to Good Morning Yesterday here .


Long ago before visitors were attracted to the public events with free "goodies bags" for distribution, visitors were made happy with nice plastic shopping bags at the Singapore Constitution Exposition.

 

In 1959, the newly invented American kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, food freezers, dishwashers, automatic clothes washing machines were introduced for the first time in Singapore.

Stage Performance at the Singapore Constitution Exposition


Female Receptionists at SCE


"Miss Exposition" Contest


The experience of crowd-control at the Singapore Constitution Exposition 1959





Policemen pushing the surging crowd to clear the path for Prince Philip's Land Rover at the Exposition.  About 200,000 jammed the fair to catch a glimpse of the Queen's Consort.



The lessons to learn from the public exhibitions in Singapore over the decades


 





The Evolution of Public Exhibition Management in Singapore

Singapore Expo, a leading purpose-built "Meetings, Incentive Travel, Convention and Exhibitions (MICE) industry continuing to thrive.

With a total of 100,000sqm of column-free indoor and outdoor space available, Singapore EXPO is the venue of choice for any MICE activities and events in Singapore. From exhibitions, consumer shows, corporate meetings, world-class conventions, prestigious award ceremonies, mega concerts to gala banquets, Singapore EXPO has led the way in hosting some of the biggest and most spectacular shows here. Annually, it welcomes more than 8 million visitors and 800 events.
 
Located only one MRT stop or 5 minutes by car from the Changi International Airport, this purpose-built facility boasts ten exhibition and conference halls, meeting rooms, The MAX Pavilion, as well as a convention wing, MAX Atria.  All the halls are designed with ceiling height of 8 to 16 metres, and floor loading of 20 to 30KN/sqm, allowing exhibitors complete versatility in booth, product display or stage designs.

The venue is also well-served by an extensive range of amenities, including WIFI-enabled network and 3.5G mobile coverage, a well-equipped business centre, internet kiosks, automated teller machines (ATMs), nursing rooms, prayer rooms, stationery supplies, a 2,500-lot car park, and energy-saving building automation systems.

In delivering the best event experience, we have on hand a team of dedicated and customer-oriented event service professionals, ready to offer assistance at every step of the way. From build-up/tear-down, logistics, event planning to on-site operations, we ensure that every finest detail is attended to.
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