Growing up, I read and heard about Lim Boh Seng, Tan Kah Kee, Tan Tock Seng, Elizabeth Choy.
And I wondered, apart from Lt Adnan and a few other rarely mentioned names, where are the Melayu, Indian, Eurasian personalities?
Surely Singapura was not built solely on the back of Chinese migrants.
It was later that I realised how Singapura’s history is Sinicised.
And why we need to make sure we magnify the history of the other communities. Insha Allah in this post, I will briefly discuss a little bit of the colonial history of the Indians in Singapura.
There were more than 100 Indians who arrived with Raffles in 1819, including Sepoys, clerks and the famous trader Naraina Pillai.
Naraina Pillai was a trader and philanthropist who gave out substantial amounts of his wealth to build temples and other social causes.
By 1873, there were about 12,000 Indians resident in Singapura. They were mainly labourers, financiers, traders, administrative workers and shopkeepers.
But the British also brought a substantial number of Indian convicts. When the British left Bencoolen in 1825, they brought 600 Indian convicts with them. By 1860, there were 2,275 convicts residing in Singapura.
However, British residents were not happy with the arrangement and by 1873, the remaining convicts were sent to the Andamans islands.
Skilled Indian convict labourers contributed substantially to the city’s development.
As Governor of the Straits Settlements, Colonel Blundell noted
“The whole of the existing roads throughout the Islands… every bridge in both town and country, all the existing canals, sea wall, jetties, piers, etc., have been constructed by convict labour. But not only is the community indebted for these essential works to the mere manual labour of convicts, but by the introduction among them of a system of skilled labour, Singapore is indebted for works which could not otherwise have been sanctioned from the State funds.”
The next time we walk pass St Andrew’s cathedral or the Istana….take note…
They were built by Indian convict labourers.
Reference: Sandhu, Kernial Singh. “Some Aspects of Indian Settlement in Singapore, 1819–1969.” Journal of Southeast Asian History 10.02 (1969): 193-201.
Picture: Construction of the Government House (Istana)
The need to refresh the political system as Singapore’s circumstances change highlighted by President Tony Tan in his opening address to the 13th Parliament last night (Jan 15) caught some political observers’ eyes, as they suggested the Government could tap new approaches to better capture the full spectrum of diverse perspectives on the ground.
While they acknowledged the Government’s efforts to this end, in terms of dialogues and public consultations, the analysts said going beyond these existing initiatives would go towards Dr Tan’s call for Singapore to stay cohesive and move forward together.
Calling for views to be gathered from avenues beyond Government-endorsed dialogues, such as blogs, forums or civil society, former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Siew Kum Hong said: “There needs to be the recognition that disagreement, dissent and conflict are not necessarily unhealthy, as without those things, we are doomed to fail.”
“If you want to be fully inclusive, bring (these groups) in and engage them on their own terms.”
In the face of greater diversity of views in society, changing Singaporeans’ mindsets is also important, said former NMP Eugene Tan. Singaporeans also need to be open-minded when considering different perspectives and allowing robust debate could help drive this mindset change, he added.
“(Diverse views) reflect a society that is becoming more complex … The only way you can deal with it is for people to be able to engage in robust debate … and not treating the differences in values as existential challenges,” said the Singapore Management University law don.
Institute of Policy Studies’ deputy director Gillian Koh noted, however, that a government-society partnership is not without challenges since ideas being pushed for may be driven by personal interests.
“The argument should be done with integrity and for that purpose and not with some hidden agenda … We want shared governance, but this is the real danger of that shared governance going wrong,” she said.
The experts also cited a list of other possible tweaks when it comes to refreshing the political system, including expanding the Non-Constituency MP slate and changing the selection process for NMPs.
Smaller Group Representation Constituencies could also be instituted, they said.
On the five key aims set out by Dr Tan for Parliament’s new term, the political observers flagged the focus on renewing the economy as the most pressing concern to Singaporeans.
Not only will Singaporeans be keeping close tabs on how the Government rejuvenates the economy, Associate Professor Tan said they will look at how the authorities will help those who could emerge as “losers” with economic restructuring.
Dr Alan Chong from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies also flagged the dark clouds over the economy now, citing the stock market turbulence in China and the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates.
The economy and urban infrastructure like transport are naturally closely-watched as they are tangible aspects that will affect daily lives, he added.
Assoc Prof Tan said security is also likely to be one of the Government’s top priorities, given the string of Islamic State terror attacks, including most recently in Jakarta two days ago.
“(The Government will) want to assure not just people living here but people who are invested in Singapore, people who might want to invest in Singapore,” he added.
I am very sad to share that one of our dedicated Town Council cleaners from Bangladesh passed away in an incident in the course of his work yesterday morning in a bin centre near Blk 620, Bedok Reservoir Road. The Town Councillors and staff of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
Both the Town Council and the conservancy contractor are assisting the authorities in their investigations into this incident, and it is therefore inappropriate for me to comment further at this time. I understand statements have been given to the Police and officers from the Ministry of Manpower. I will personally update everyone once the details of the incident are clear and confirmed by investigations.
In light of this incident, the Town Council management has directed all its conservancy contractors to carry out toolbox talks to their staff, and to follow up with additional safety briefings as a matter of urgency.
On a personal note, I would like to thank my colleague, the MP-elect for Aljunied GRC (Kaki Bukit) Mr Faisal Manap for offering his services at a very early stage to ensure that the body of the deceased is prepared for repatriation and burial with the appropriate Islamic rites, even though the conservancy contractor took on this responsibility without question. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my Property Manager Imran for arranging a prayer session in the days to come at our local mosque in Eunos for all our Muslim cleaners, especially those from Bangladesh who serve in the Eunos ward, as a gesture of solidarity with the family of the deceased.
The deceased leaves behind a wife and three children. Our hearts go out to them.
*Update
Dear friends,
Some of you have asked about donating to the family of the deceased worker. Thank you for your patience as the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council staff worked through the protocol for this effort.
Donors and members of the public can drop off their donations via cash or cheque (made out to “Aljunied-Hougang Town Council” and to state at the back – “For deceased worker’s family”) at any of the following offices from 10 am today until 12.30pm on the 16th January 2016:
1. ALJUNIED-HOUGANG TOWN COUNCIL MAIN OFFICE
Blk 810 Hougang Central #02-214 Singapore 530810
2. BEDOK RESERVOIR OFFICE
Blk 136 Bedok Reservoir Road #01-1413 Singapore 470136
3. KAKI BUKIT OFFICE
Blk 549 Bedok North Avenue 1 #01-460 Singapore 460549
4. SERANGOON OFFICE
Blk 147 Serangoon North Avenue 1 #01-421 Singapore 550147
5. HOUGANG OFFICE
Blk 701 Hougang Avenue 2 #01-01 Singapore 530701
It is important for me to inform all potential donors that the worker is covered by a basic work injury insurance plan provided by the conservancy contractor, and the payout will be determined by the results of the investigations.
Untok wanita yang berhijab hatihati yeh bilerh berjalan Di jurong west
just happen to me this morning ada apek cine nieeh main tarik ajerh tudung sesiape yang dyerh nampak . Boleh nampak that dyerh tak suke melayu . I’m consider lucky Pasal ada pakcik tolong if not taktahu laa perh Nasib I .
Kesian. Makcik makcik tk bersalah terburai tudung yeh . I tk Sempat amek gambar apek tuu.. #12012016 . Don’t know if ada orng Sempat tk snap his pic .
Waiting for it to kua manerhmanerh berite soo semuerh Muslims be alert .
***
Muslimahs donning hijab around Jurong West area should be careful
Just happen to me this morning…there was an ah pek who tugged at the tudungs of anyone he see. Can see that he doesn’t like Melayu. I’m consider lucky because there was a Pakcik who help me if not i don’t know what could have happen to me.
So pitiful those makcik-makcik innocent had their tuung taken off. I didn’t manage to take a pic of the ah pek.#12012016 ..Don’t know if other manage to take his pic.
Waiting for it to come up in whichever news so that all Muslims can be alert
Muslims from the religion’s two major sects in Singapore have been living harmoniously with a sense of mutual respect for over a century, said Syed Hassan Al-Attas, a respected Sunni imam (Islamic leader).
The comments by the imam from Ba’alwie Mosque came amid tensions in the Middle East arising from the recent execution of Shiite cleric Nimr Baqr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabian authorities, which has highlighted a schism between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the region.
“For Sunnis and Shiites in Singapore, the relationship is very deep, and has existed in Singapore for more than 100 years… we don’t identify ourselves as Sunnis or Shiites in Singapore, we identify ourselves as Muslims. We’ve never pointed fingers (at each other),” said Syed Hassan in a recent interview with Yahoo Singapore.
When asked about the perception of some Sunnis around the world that Shiites are not true believers, the imam disagreed.
“If they are not Muslims, how can the Saudi government approve their visas to enter Mecca? They are Muslims too,” he said.
He felt that the squabbles between Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and its allies, and Shiite-majority Iran are political in nature and have nothing to do with religion.
About 15 per cent of the Singapore population practice Islam, with the majority being Sunnis, according to the 2010 Census of Population statistics.
Of the 70 mosques in Singapore, only the Burhani Mosque at Hill Street belongs to the Shiites.
View photos
Photo: Ba’alwie Mosque on Lewis Street
Historical background of Sunnis and Shiites
Sunni and Shiite Muslims believe in Prophet Muhammad and that he revealed the monotheistic religion to the people of Mecca. The key difference in the beliefs of the two sects is over the choice of the prophet’s immediate successor.
Sunnis believed that the successor should be Abu Bakar, who was the prophet’s father-in-law, while Shiites believe Ali ibn Abi Talib, who was the prophet’s son-in-law, should be chosen instead.
Both sects share similarities in terms of some of the obligations of Muslims, such as the performing of the Haj, fasting and reading of the Koran.
Sunnis and Shiites working to build the Muslim community
Syed Hassan said the believers from both sects in Singapore see each other as part of one religion and have joined together in building the Muslim community.
For instance, both Sunnis and Shiites in Singapore had worked together to establish the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
“(During) the formation of MUIS in 1970, the legal adviser was the late (prominent Persian lawyer) Mohamed Javad Namazie, who is a Shiite.”
Other Shiites have also contributed to the Sunni-dominated Muslim community here, Syed Hassan pointed out.
“MKAC (Muslim Kidney Action Association) Ameerali (Abdeali), he’s a Shiite. Jumabhoy, the one from Scotts, Dr Kutubuddin, Mr Tayebali, and many others, are all Shiites who contributed to the betterment of Singapore, but nobody goes around saying ‘I’m Shiite, I’m Sunni’,” he said.
Ameerali Abdeali is the president of MKAC while the Jumabhoy family once owned property developer Scotts Holdings (now called The Ascott Limited) from 1975 to 1984.
J.M. Jumabhoy, who was the minister for commerce and industry between 1956 and 1959, was a Shiite too.
A Shiite with deep roots in Singapore
Gholamreza Kashkooli, a 58-year-old Iranian Shiite who has lived in Singapore for 35 years, is happy to see Sunnis and Shiites in the country working together.
The relationship between the two sects is peaceful, contrary to how it is depicted in the media, Gholamreza told Yahoo Singapore.
“In Iran, the majority of them (citizens) are educated. They do not look into this matter and create problems between themselves,” said Gholamreza, the owner of an import and export company.
Gholamreza pointed out that there are many Sunni scholars in Iran, and there is no discord between the minority Sunnis and the majority Shiites in the country over the differences in their beliefs.
Sunnis and Shiites agree that there is “one God, Muhammad is a prophet, and the Koran”, he said.
Singapore’s strong legal framework protects religious harmony
Lawyer Noor Mohamed Marican, who is a Sunni Muslim, said the violence that was seen in the Middle East recently would never happen in Singapore.
He said the strong legal framework in Singapore is in place to prevent such a scenario. In any event, there is no reason for concern as the local Muslim community’s relations are cordial.
“You are given your space (to worship), so don’t abuse your space. If you are here to create disharmony, the law will come in,” said Marican in a recent interview with Yahoo Singapore.
“We are all Muslims living together; our fundamentals are the same,” he added.
