Chronicles Research & Education

Book is off to the printers!

Do you know PM Lawrence Wong has a connection to Kampong Amber? Selamat Kadari says more about the kampong's rich history - its name, old Katong and how people came together during the race riots.

After Kampong Amber was demolished to make way for condos in the '80s, Selamat and friends formed a group called Our Kampong Amber to document its history and memory.

May more folks do so for their kampongs.

Spotify | https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/loh-ks/episodes/Selamat-Kadari--People-of-Kampong-Amber-Part-2--Chronicles-of-Old-Singapore-e3l075d

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQJxlXrWmWQ

Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city.

Selamat Kadari – People of Kampong Amber Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Selamat Kadari recalls the ...

In Part 2, Pamela Sandanasamy recalls her subsequent trips to the village of Anaikkadu in India, bringing her daughters along. She found the St. Francis Xavier’s High School which her grandfather had built for the village. But most of all, she wanted to find out about her grandfather’s parents. When she finally located their graves, she understood why he had been reluctant to talk about his past.

Pamela talks about her future plans to travel to India and write a book about searching for her roots.

Spotify | https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/loh-ks/episodes/Pamela-Sandanasamy--My-Roots-From-Singapore-to-India-Part-2--Chronicles-of-Old-Singapore-e3kre8a

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wZQStgIX9Q

Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city.

Pamela Sandanasamy – My Roots From Singapore to India Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. In Part 2, Pamela Sandanasa...

Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Rajandeeren Kanayan recalls his schooldays at historic Gan Eng Seng, the school of choice for those staying in the port area. He also endured torturous sea journeys to India and sold kueh and newspapers as a youngster.

Today, Rajandeeren reflects on how Tanjong Pagar has changed as Singapore has evolved and his close ties to India. The past, no matter how nostalgic, can never be brought back again.

Spotify | https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/loh-ks/episodes/Rajandeeren-Kanayan--Silat--Gan-Eng-Seng-School--Blair-Plain-Part-2--Chronicles-of-Old-Singapore-e3koncg

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3zEdSfmoMc

I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city.

Rajandeeren Kanayan – Silat & Gan Eng Seng School, Blair Plain Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Rajandeeren Kanayan recalls...

Pre-orders are up! SGD20 minus postage.

https://www.gerakbudaya.com/product/shopkeepers-of-chinatown

Can also wait for the book to arrive in SG bookstores like Kino and Popular.

Shopkeepers of Chinatown: A Business World in Motion, 1819-2025 | Gerakbudaya By tracing the evolution of shopkeepers in Chinatown, Singapore, this book reveals the ebb and flow of Singaporean society, its changing values and the effect of gentrification upon a cultural stalwart. It looks beyond the usual narrative of celebrat

Hear LTC (Retd) Mejar Gill recount the neglected history of 1 and 2 SIR. The first especially was formed by David Marshall in 1957 before Singapore became independent.

When 1965 arrived, the government launched a crash programme to build new military facilities and recruit Israeli ('Mexican') advisers. There was an unexpected windfall - the British were closing down their bases and there were excellent facilities and camps to take over.

Spotify | https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/loh-ks/episodes/Mejar-Singh-Gill--Soldiering-in-the-Early-SAF-Part-2--Chronicles-of-Old-Singapore-e3keek0

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW4QIH0UU6I

Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.

Mejar Singh Gill – Soldiering in the Early SAF Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Hear LTC (Retd) Mejar Singh...

Always good to head to Chinatown and get the latest news with Tea Man (Kenry Bai) and Chinatown Boy (photographer Victor Yue).

Hatching some ideas for my book launch as well as the history of bak k*t teh.

More to come.

Listen to Jason Boh talk about the Naval Base era coming to an end in Singapore. The 14th Mile village was demolished when the British forces left and the villagers and base families dispersed. The Sembawang experience has forged in him a can-do spirit and a curiosity about the world.

He hopes that the old colonial houses will be preserved as a second round of redevelopment sweeps the north of Singapore.

Spotify | https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/loh-ks/episodes/Jason-Boh--Hainanese-of-the-Naval-Base--Sembawang-Part-2--Chronicles-of-Old-Singapore-e3kaicm

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qVvwKbAiCg

Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city.

Jason Boh – Hainanese of the Naval Base & Sembawang Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Jason Boh talks about his s...

After the previous post on the Chinese gentlemen of Pulau Brani, here is my corridor chat with two former Malay residents, one from Telok Saga and the other from Selat Sengkir (my first from this kampong!). On the right is the ever helpful Adam Salleh formerly from Pulau Sekijang Bendera (St. John's) who arranged the meeting. So all were islanders.

Am looking to speak to Brani's islanders. They were richly diverse not only ethnically but also occupationally. Gentleman on the left had operated the ferry between Brani and the mainland. There were British servicemen and their children, who still have fond memories of Brani. Also Malay servicemen who were the other ranks in the forces. Employees of the Marine Department and Straits Trading Company (who might be the hardest to locate). Chinese shopkeepers. Footballers who played at a high level. Later, Singapore's first naval servicemen served at Brani Naval Base.

Every one of these communities left behind a special history. Let me know if you know someone who lived or worked on Brani. Thank you.