Vol.

13 Issue biblioasia02 2017 JUL–SEP 02 / The Truth Behind Fake News 04 / A History of Horror 16 / Malicious Murders 24 / Modernist Architecture 32 / Singapore-style Sci-fi 40 / Early Hollywood Films

Fact Fiction& EAST of SUEZ p. 10 BiblioAsia Director’s Note Editorial & CONTENTS Vol. 13 / Issue 02 JUL–SEP 2017 Production We explore the parallel worlds of reality and make-believe – and the spaces in between – Managing Editor as we take a trip into our not-so-distant past in this issue of BiblioAsia. Ng Yi-Sheng mulls Francis Dorai over the fine line between fact and fiction – the theme of this issue – in his essay on the OPINION FEATURE culture of horror that has existed in Singapore since pre-colonial days. From spine-chilling Editor tales of the pontianak, the female vampire from Malay folklore, to The Black Isle, Sandi Veronica Chee “Fake News”: Since A History of Singapore Tan’s 21st-century supernatural novel set in Singapore, the essay taps into our morbid 02 When Was It News? 04 Horror Editorial Support fascination with all things creepy. Masamah Ahmad Likewise, the suspension of reality is what Nadia Arianna Bte Ismail explores in Stephanie Pee East of Suez: The her essay on the rise of local sci-fi publications between the 1970s and 1990s. Besides Yong Shu Chiang 10 Mystique of Travel the supernatural, it is violent and graphic murder cases (naturally) that seem to rivet the Design and Print public’s attention: Sharon Teng recounts four of the bloodiest murders in Singapore’s crime Oxygen Studio Designs Pte Ltd Murder Most history, some of which have spawned bestselling books in their wake. 04 10 16 Malevolent Singapore was hailed as the “equatorial Hollywood” when Western filmmakers dis- Contributors covered this exotic Asian port city in the early 1900s. Fact and fiction blurred as fabricated Bonny Tan Swan & Maclaren: scenes of Singapore were stitched together from stock footage and studio sets – never Chua Ai Lin mind that these filmmakers never set foot in Singapore. One of the early exceptions was Farish A. Noor 24 Pioneers of Modernist Juffri Bin Supa’at Architecture Clyde E. Elliott, the first Hollywood director who made three films here in the 1930s, as Julian Davison Chua Ai Lin reveals. Kennie Ting Sci-fi in Singapore: The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, says Kennie Ting, changed the face of Makeswary Periasamy Nadia Arianna Bte Ramli 1970s to 1990s maritime history forever and led to the advent of leisure travel to distant lands. On their 32 journeys east, perhaps some of these Western travellers were able to separate fact from Ng Yi-Sheng Sharen Chua fiction; to see the exotic lands “East of Suez” through their own eyes, instead of relying Sharon Teng Alam Puisi Melayu on apocryphal tales of the Orient. Singapura Selepas Sundari Balasubramaniam 36 With all the fake news circulating these days – presented in ways that seem so real Tan Huism Merdeka – one never knows what is the truth anymore. While the volume and speed at which news 16 24 is disseminated in the modern world is unprecedented, lying (or whatever euphemism Please direct all correspondence to: Reel Life Singapore: one might use), according to Farish A. Noor, is as old as history. The Films of National Library Board 40 On the subject of history − built history, specifically − Swan & Maclaren, the oldest 100 Victoria Street #14-01 Clyde E. Elliott architectural practice in Singapore celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Started in National Library Building 1892 by two Scotsmen, Swan & Maclaren was responsible for many of the city’s heritage Singapore 188064 An Unusual Ambition: buildings. What is a fact for certain is that the architectural firm was among the first to Email: [email protected] 46 The Early Librarians pioneer the Modernist architectural movement in Singapore, as Julian Davison tells us. Website: www.nlb.gov.sg More echoes of the past can be found in the following features: Bonny Tan traces the On the cover: lives of little-known female librarians in pre-war Singapore; Juffri Bin Supa’at and Sundari A European lady, dressed in a Balasubramaniam take a look at the post-1965 Malay publishing scene and Tamil short neck-to-ankle blouse and skirt 50 story writers between 1936 and 1960, respectively; Makeswary Periasamy highlights the ensemble, being lowered from a luxury liner onto a small boat National Library’s collection of early books and documents on Chinese secret societies; bound for shore. This lithograph 02 32 36 and Sharen Chua previews books on National Service from our Legal Deposit Collection titled “For the Shore” was − this being the year that marks 50 Years of National Service in Singapore. first published in The Graphic, Finally, don’t miss our latest exhibition, “Tales of the Malay World; Manuscripts and London, in 1883. All rights Early Books”, on level 10 of the National Library Building from 18 August 2017 to 25 Feb- reserved, Liu, G. (2006). Raffles ruary 2018. Curated by Tan Huism, the exhibition is a rare opportunity to see a selection Hotel (p. 39). Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. (Call no.: RSING of rare Malay manuscripts and printed books from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. 915.9570613 LIU-[TRA]) On display are items from the National Library’s Rare Materials Collection as well as The British Library and Netherlands’ Leiden University Library, among other institutions. We hope you enjoy reading this edition of BiblioAsia.

Mrs Wai Yin Pryke Director 40 46 50 National Library All rights reserved. National Library Board, Singapore, 2017.

ISSN 0219-8126 (print) NL NOTES ISSN 1793-9968 (online) The views of writers and contribu- Heaven, Earth and tors do not reflect the views of the Brotherhood Publisher. No part of this publica- 54 BiblioAsia is a free quarterly publication produced by the National Library Board. tion may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior writ- It features articles on the history, culture and heritage of Singapore within the larger ten permission from the Publisher 50 Years of National Asian context, and has a strong focus on the collections and services of the National and copyright owner(s). 58 Service Library. BiblioAsia is distributed to local and international libraries, academic institutions, Whilst reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of Tales of the Malay World: government ministries and agencies, as well as members of the public. The online the information in this publica- Manuscripts & Early Books edition of BiblioAsia is available at: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/biblioasia/ tion, the Publisher accepts no 60 54 58 60 ­legal liabilities whatsoever for the contents of this magazine. 01 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Opinion

sights on Burma, the Kingdom of Burma Nineteenth-century imperialism was was seen and cast in a decidedly negative couched in terms of a “civilising mission” light by colonial scholars and reporters. to bring enlightenment and modernity to News reports emerged and were Africa and Asia, but what it delivered – in circulated across the empire, about the real terms – were roads, telegraph lines, alleged wrongdoings of the Burmese printing presses and schools. In time, the towards their own people and their neigh- very same colonial subjects would use the bours. The popular theme at the time was very same communicative technologies to the idea that Burma was a “belligerent fight back, and it is not a surprise that by power”, bent on becoming a dangerous the turn of the 20th century, native ver- “Asiatic empire”. Burma was referred nacular printing presses were emerging to as “the Burman Empire” in maps and all over the colonies, from India to South- news reports, though the fact was that east Asia. (Singapore was, in fact, one of the real empire was Britain, and it was the major centres of native vernacular Britain that posed an existential threat printing by then, and local intellectuals to Burma, as it spread its power across and activists were at the forefront of the much of northern India. intellectual resistance to colonial rule.) Similar examples of colonial-era Powerful though the European “fake news” can be found elsewhere: empires were, there was a limit to their The invasion of Brunei was justified on capacity to deliver “fake news” and mis- the spurious grounds that Brunei was information: The point was reached when a “den of pirates” and that the pirates colonial subjects no longer believed what S IT NEWS? of Borneo were a threat to freedom of they read in the colonial press, and called movement at sea. for “alternative” (read: “Asia-centric”) WA Elsewhere across Asia – from China news instead. to Japan – Asian nations were portrayed At a glance, it would seem that we as the enemies of free trade and economic are back to that historical moment when liberalism, for the simple reason that “facts” are no longer seen as facts. WHEN they did not wish to open their ports to Those who lament the current phe- foreign commerce. nomenon of “fake news” may be a tad too If one were to read news reports cynical for their own good, for they seem and popular fiction of the 19th century to assume the public believes whatever it SINCE through the lens of a historian, one sees and reads blindly. Since when was can see that the logic of “fake news” this the case? And since when was “fake hasn’t changed very much since the news” news in the first place? 19th century. Some of the vocabulary A century ago, millions of Asians may have evolved since then, and terms came to the simple and mundane reali- like “Asiatic despot”, “piratical kingdom” sation that the colonial powers had no Lying, as it appears, is as old as history. and “Oriental empire” have merely been intention of doing them any good, and replaced with contemporary equivalents that all talk of a “civilising mission” was Farish A. Noor explains. such as “rogue state” and “militant merely hollow propaganda. That aware- threat” – but they remain instrumental ness was the key that unlocked a host of fictions nonetheless. other political and ideological alternatives, There has been much talk about “fake believe is hardly new, as any historian would gerous is really the culmination of a long technologies that were cutting-edge at But if misinformation and distortion and paved the way for national liberation news” all over the Internet these days and point out. Perhaps the most obvious, and process of technological advancement. the time: the telegraph, the printing press remain the constants in the way we discuss across Asia. how facts no longer seem to matter in the at times spectacular, aspect of the current In the 19th century, when Southeast and the newspaper. Though some of these and speak of the world, does this mean Today, we can all see that much of what t“post-factual” society we live in. phenomenon of “fake news” is the volume Asia was carved up by the colonial powers technologies may seem dated and redun- that nothing has really changed, and that is said, written or tweeted by some politi- For sometime now, analysts and of information (or misinformation) dis- of Western Europe, there was already a dant now, they were, at the time, superior there is no hope for a more informed and cians and celebrities is equally nonsensical, commentators have bemoaned the fact seminated, and the speed with which such clear connection between communications means of data-collecting that kept entire enlightened future? and does not deserve serious attention. that many people no longer feel the need misinformation travels. This has less to do technology and power. The British, Dutch, empires together: Through the telegraph, Again, we need to turn to history to This is equally liberating as it clears to verify what they read and watch online with declining intelligence in general, but French, Spanish and Portuguese empires Britain could maintain close contact with all see how societies can and do cope with the deck of senseless distractions, and and on TV, and that populist politicians more to do with the kind of communicative were held together not only by force and her colonies from Africa to Asia, and it was the manipulation of knowledge and data. reminds us that there are more important have been able to harness the emotional technologies we have created. the constant threat of violence, but also by this that created the “imagined community” One of the ironies of “empire” is that while things to do in life than wasting our time energy of angry and frustrated people But if we look back at developments the latest innovations in communications. of the imperium where the sun never set. it laid the foundations for a vast network “liking” posts on Facebook or tweeting to further agendas of their own, which in our own part of the world (Southeast Britain’s empire was held together Yet it also has to be emphasised of communications and power projection about what you had for breakfast this include capturing state power and con- Asia) a hundred years ago, we would see by data, as argued by Thomas Richards in that much of what passed as “news” and across the globe, it also planted the seeds morning. trolling governments. that the present state of communications The Imperial Archive (1993); while Bernard “information” back then was also pure of its eventual demise. While some of these concerns seem and information technology has merely Cohn has shown in Colonialism and its bunkum and nonsense. Like the Roman Empire, whose roads genuine enough, the phenomenon of peo- evolved at its own pace; and what strikes Forms of Knowledge (1996) how imperial Empires may have been built on were used to project Roman power far This article was first published in ple choosing to believe what they want to some as novel or even potentially dan- rule in South and Southeast Asia was information, but their power was often beyond the walls of its capital, but which The Straits Times on 25 March 2017. maintained through the building of vast legitimised and reproduced through mis- were later used by the very same enemies © Farish A. Noor and Singapore systems of knowledge and information. information, distortion and outright lies as to invade it, 19th-century empires also Press Holdings. Reprinted with Farish A. Noor is Associate Professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, All this information and news was col- well. Again, the history of Southeast Asia provided the means for colonial subjects permission. Nanyang Technological University. He is a regular contributor to BiblioAsia. lected, collated and disseminated through is instructive here: when Britain turned its to resist and reject.

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to have scoffed, saying, “I should like to By the early 20th century, it was evi- see your ghosts.”1 dent that horror was becoming the stuff of Other settlers who soon arrived on mass entertainment. In 1923, when New the island brought their supernatural tradi- World amusement park opened in Jalan tions with them: tales of yau gwee (hungry Besar, it featured a highly popular ghost ghosts in Hokkien) from China, hantu (ghost train ride through a darkened enclosure in Malay) from the Malay Archipelago, filled with ghoulish images. Great World mohini (vengeful female spirits) from the park in Kim Seng Road would follow suit in Indian subcontinent, and jinn (spirits) from 1929 with a similar ride. Though both have the Arab world. These immigrant beliefs since been demolished, old photographs soon took root in the local landscape. For suggest that the train rides featured instance, in 1843, it was reported that the images of ghosts and demons inspired Chinese living in the Tanglin area especially by Chinese folklore.4 feared tiger attacks as they believed victims Thankfully, one splendid artefact of would become the ghostly slaves of these early Chinese horror still survives in Pasir animals.2 In 1856, it was rumoured that St Panjang: the Ten Courts of Hell in Haw Par Andrew’s Cathedral had been overrun by Villa, built in 1937 and originally known evil spirits. Gossipmongers claimed that as Tiger Balm Gardens. Visitors today these vicious spirits could only be pacified can still wander among garishly painted with sacrifices of human heads, and that dioramas of naked souls being tortured the British were ordering Indian convicts by demons in the afterlife. to harvest them from hapless passers-by.3 Colonialism brought with it a wave Malayan Horror (1950s–1970s) of British ethnographers, with Singapore featuring as a popular port-of-call in At midnight on 27 April 1957, Cathay-Keris their surveys of the greater Malay world. Productions premiered a film that would Descriptions of hantu and bomoh (Malay forever be etched into the Singaporean shamans) abound in their writings, such psyche. Titled Pontianak, it told the story as John Turnbull Thomson’s Glimpses of the eponymous pontianak, the infamous into Life in Malayan Lands (1864), Frank long-haired female vampire from Malay Singaporeans have always had a morbid Swettenham’s Malay Sketches (1895) and mythology. Traditionally, this creature is terial, reimagining its heroine Chomel as fascination with the supernatural. Ng Yi-Sheng Walter Skeat’s Malay Magic (1900). These said to be the vengeful spirit of a woman an innocent wife who becomes a homicidal works provide valuable insights into the who had died during childbirth. However, monster due to a powerful curse. examines the culture of horror in our oral early folk beliefs of the Malay community. the film took liberties with the source ma- Pontianak was a massive success, folklore, books and films. screening in major cinemas for almost two months − an unusually long period (Facing page) An illustration of Hantu Puteri (Ghost Princess) by A. F. Anthony. All rights reserved, McHugh, J. N. (1959). Hantu Hantu: An Account of Ghost Belief in Modern Malaya (2nd edition) (p.45). Singapore: for homegrown films of the era. Although Published by Donald Moore for Eastern Universities Press. (Call no.: RCLOS 398.3 MAC) Pontianak is remembered as a Malay film (Right) An anchak or sacrificial tray used by the Malay medicine man (or bomoh) for occult practices. in the popular imagination, it was in fact The tray has a fringe around it called “centipedes’ feet”. The ketupat and lepat (rice receptacles made of a multiethnic collaboration directed by plaited palm fronds) are hung from the “suspenders” attached to the tray. All rights reserved, Skeat, W. B.N. Rao, written by Abdul Razak and pro- W. (1900). Malay Magic: Being an Introduction to the Folklore and Popular Religion of the Malay Penin- sula (p. 414). London: Macmillan and Co. Collection of the National Library, Singapore, Accession nos.: duced by Ho Ah Loke. The film was initially B02930611K; B29267256F. released in both Malay and Mandarin, and (Below) Diorama featuring hapless souls being tortured in the afterlife at Haw Par Villa's Ten Courts of later dubbed into Cantonese and English for In 2016, I was asked to speak at a Singapore by a diverse range of storytellers over the timeline that helps us understand the roots Hell. Photo by David Shamma, 22 March 2014. Courtesy of Flickr. overseas audiences. As a result, the ponti- Writers Festival panel discussion titled centuries. I cobbled together a hastily of Singaporean horror, how it has evolved, anak tale is fondly remembered by people “SG HORROR: Who’s Afraid of the Dark”. researched lecture on the subject. Addi- and where it is headed in the future. of all races in Malaysia and Singapore. This surprised me, since I had never identi- tionally, I invited a real-life horror writer to The film marked the birth of Malay ified myself as a horror writer. Nor had my join the discussion: Raymus Chang, author horror as a film genre. To capitalise on Folk Horror (1810s­–1940s) two co-panellists, Audrey Chin and Jon of the short story collection Shadows from the film’s success, Rao directed three Gresham. The very purpose of the event Here: Tales of Terror (2016). The very beginnings of modern Singapor- sequels in quick succession: Dendam was, apparently, to ponder “why there That lecture forms the basis of this ean history are tinged with horror. In 1819, Pontianak (Revenge of the Pontianak) in are so few horror writers in Singapore”. essay: an exploration of Singapore’s hor- shortly after Singapore was established 1957; Sumpah Pontianak (Curse of the Pon- Frankly, this infuriated me. The ror heritage over the ages. Certain gaps as a British trading post, Stamford Raffles tianak) in 1958; and Pontianak Gua Musang panel’s premise was absurd: not only remain: I’ve been unable to gather much called for an expedition to climb Fort (The Vampire of the Civet Cat Cave) in 1964. does Singapore have a plethora of horror data on the history of horror in radio Canning Hill, then called Bukit Larangan, Cathay-Keris’ main rival, Shaw Brothers, writers; we also have a rich and layered and non-English literature for instance. which means “The Forbidden Hill” in Ma- responded with its own trilogy, directed culture of horror that has been interpreted Nevertheless, it is possible to sketch a lay. When the Temenggong’s men warned by Ramon Estella from the Philippines: him that “none of us have the courage to Anak Pontianak (Son of the Pontianak) in go up that hill because there are many 1958; Pontianak Kembali (The Pontianak Ng Yi-Sheng is a poet, fictionist, playwright and journalist. His books include his debut poetry ghosts on it. Every day one can hear on it Returns) in 1963; and Pusaka Pontianak collection last boy, which won the Singapore Literature Prize in 2008, the bestselling SQ21: sounds as of hundreds of men. Sometimes (The Pontianak Legacy) in 1965. Singapore Queers in the 21st Century, the movie novelisation Eating Air and the spoken word collection Loud Poems for a Very Obliging Audience. He tweets and Instagrams at @yishkabob. one hears the sound of heavy drums and Other ghoulish monsters from Malay of people shouting,” Raffles was reported folklore also made their way to the silver

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ries. These tales range from ethnographic ing company VJ Times. While editing the descriptions of traditional lore to more horror anthology Black Powers (1991), (Below) An illustration from the story "Suffer the Children" in Damien Sin’s Classic Singapore Horror contemporary yarns. For instance, “A Boy he decided to write a few stories himself. Stories (Book 1) . All rights reserved, Sin, D. (1992). Named Ah Mooi” explains how sons may be This marked the beginning of a formida- Classic Singapore Horror Stories (p. 74). Singapore: protected from demons by disguising them ble literary career: he now has dozens Flame of the Forest. (Call no.: RSING S823 SIN) as girls, while “Lee Geok Chan” describes of titles to his name, including Evil Eyes (Bottom) Damien Sin has published four volumes of his Classic Singapore Horror Stories while Rus- how a dead student mysteriously returns (1992), Rakasa (1995), and the Nightmares sell Lee’s True Singapore Ghost Stories is already to complete her A-Level exams. series (1996−2003), a collection of ghost into its 25th volume. Both series are huge hits Did Lim’s books directly lead to a stories exploring various haunted locales with horror fans in Singapore. All rights reserved, boom in local horror? It is hard to say as in Singapore, including schools, hospitals, Angsana Books. later horror writers do not cite her as an army camps and offices. According to the influence. Nevertheless, by the late 1980s, author, this last series was so popular it countless volumes of ghost stories were was used in Malaysia as an English teach- flying off the presses, including Nicky ing resource.13 Moey’s Sing a Song of Suspense (1988), Goh The most skilled Singaporean horror Sin Tub’s Ghosts of Singapore (1990), Lim writer of the period, however, is probably Thean Soo’s Eleven Bizarre Tales (1990), the late Damien Sin. The four volumes Z. Y. Moo’s The Weird Diary of Walter Woo of his Classic Singapore Horror Stories (1990), K. K. Seet’s Death Rites (1990), Lee series (1992–2003) belong to the genre Kok Liang’s Death is a Ceremony and Other of horror, but display a firm command of Short Stories (1992), Rahmad bin Badri’s plot and character as well as a deft hand in Ghostly Tales from Singapore (1993) and describing Singapore’s sordid underbelly. V. Mohan’s Spooky Tales from Singapore What stays with the reader, however, is (1994). There was even a horror comic the bloodcurdling viscerality of his tales, Maria Menado as the pontianak, a female vampire from Malay mythology, in B.N. Rao’s 1957 Dendam Pontianak. © Dendam Pontianak. Directed by series: Souls (1989−1995), edited by K. such as “Sealed with a Kiss”, in which the B. Narayan Rao and produced by Cathay-Keris Films, 1957. Ramesh and Ramesh Kula. ghost of a sex worker literally rips out the Undoubtedly, the biggest name of the heart of her pimp with her tongue. screen. K.M. Basker’s Hantu Jerangkung Malay newspaper Utusan Melayu. "Malays regarded as “examples of an early post- era was Russell Lee. In 1989, he released Amidst these spooky tales, the genre (1957) dealt with a female “skeleton ghost”. just love stories like these and Yusof Ishak colonial Singapore gothic”.8 The Almost Complete Collection of True of crime horror also flourished. In 1981, L. Krishan’s Orang Minyak, Serangan asked me to write one every week for the Sadly, following Singapore’s expul- Singapore Ghost Stories, a compilation Singapore was stunned by news reports Orang Minyak and Sumpah Orang Minyak Sunday edition called Utusan Zaman,” sion from Malaysia in 1965, local culture of 50 supposedly real-life accounts of revealing that a spirit medium named (all released in 1958) featured a super- Othman later recalled. "Sure enough, the underwent a radical change. Singapore paranormal encounters gathered from Adrian Lim and his two wives had mur- natural “oily man” who sexually assaults circulation almost tripled.”6 lost its position as the hub of the Malay ordinary Singaporeans. It was a major dered two children in a bizarre act of women – memorably played by a young These tales, later published in English film industry, and Shaw and Cathay-Keris hit, selling an unprecedented 30,000 human sacrifice. This atrocity provoked P. Ramlee in Sumpah Orang Minyak. There under the title Malayan Horror, display moved their operations to Kuala Lumpur. copies in just over two months.9 Lee writers to create a number of popular non- was even a horror-themed comedy film: a remarkably contemporary view of the With the lingua franca of Singapore shift- cashed in on his success by transform- fiction works about local crime, such as Mat Sentol’s Mat Toyol (1969), featuring a supernatural as characters from modern ing from Malay to English, Singapore was ing the standalone book into a series. N.G. Kutty’s Adrian Lim’s Beastly Killings toyol, a child-sized spirit used by a Malay times are confronted not only by Malay no longer the centre of Malay cultural Today, True Singapore Ghost Stories (1989), Alan John’s Unholy Trinity (1989) shaman as a servant. spectres but also by those from other cul- production. The age of Malayan horror (1989–present) comprises 25 volumes, and Sumiko Tan’s True Crime (1990). Interestingly, this deluge of horror tures. In “The Anklets”, a mortuary doctor had come to an end. with the author aiming to reach Book 50 These texts are important because began in 1957, the same year the Fed- sees the disembodied feet of a murdered within his lifetime.10 they are linked to the rebirth of Singapore’s eration of Malaya Independence Act took Indian woman; in “Visitor from the Coffin”, Singaporean Horror (1980s–early 2000s) True Singapore Ghost Stories may be effect. “Were people really so anxious a photographer snaps photographs of the pulp literature, but it is also thoroughly about self-governance, or saw it as a kind ghost of a Chinese grocer; and in “The Today, Catherine Lim is widely known as representative of Singapore’s diversity. of existential horror, that they suddenly Guardian”, an archaeologist’s assistant is the author of social-realist short stories Its spirits hail from a range of cultural thought of ghosts and demons?” asks hunted down by a Dayak mummy.7 and feminist novels. Yet I believe she has backgrounds: readers are transported Malaysian filmmaker Amir Muhammad. The Malayan horror craze may have another, more obscure role in our literary from a tale of a pontianak in a banana tree “I doubt if they were that morbid. I think influenced the English literary horror history as the Mother of Singaporean Hor- to one of demon possession in a church.11 the horror genre is a sign of confidence, scene as well. J. N. McHugh’s study of ror. In her early writings, Lim documents Occasionally, hauntings even cross because it’s a bold step to take stories Malay spirits, Hantu Hantu: An Account the influence of the Chinese spiritual world ethnic lines, such as when a Chinese boy that had existed only orally and then of Ghost Belief in Modern Malaya (1959), on the psyche of modern Singaporeans. is cursed by a Javanese bracelet.12 From use technology to bring them to life. It’s is essentially an ethnographic work, yet This helped to lay the groundwork for Book 4 onwards, these accounts are inter- an assertion of narrative (and cultural) its illustrations and accessible style the rebirth of our horror culture, and its spersed with chapters titled “Russell Lee independence.”5 have made it a cult favourite among non- transformation from a specifically Malay Investigates”, expounding on the afterlife Amir is in fact mistaken in his asser- academic readers in Singapore. Likewise, milieu to a multiethnic one. in world religions, beliefs about vampires, tion that Malay ghost stories existed only in there is Malay supernatural imagery Lim first referenced the uncanny cults, UFO sightings and other topics – oral form before Pontianak was produced. aplenty in Gregory Nalpon’s work (regard- in her short story collection Or Else the arguably a form of transcultural education. A brief flowering of horror fiction had less that he was an Indian Catholic), in Lightning God and Other Stories (1980) Interestingly, Lee himself is an enigmatic taken place from 1952 to 1956, thanks short stories such as “The Spirit of the with subtle mentions of hauntings in and racially ambiguous figure: to protect to two men who would later become key Moon” and “The Mango Tree”, written “Unseeing”, “The Bondmaid” and “Or Else his anonymity, he has routinely appeared at politicians. These men were the future between the 1950s and 70s, and later the Lightning God”. She followed this with events in a black mask and gloves, obscur- President of Singapore, Yusof bin Ishak, published in his posthumous collection They Do Return… But Gently Lead Them ing even the colour of his skin. and the future Cabinet Minister, Othman The Wayang at Eight Milestone. Critics Back (1983), possibly Singapore’s first Another prolific author is Pugalenthii, Wok, then employed as a journalist at the have suggested that such works may be English-language collection of horror sto- aka Pugalenthi Sr, founder of the publish-

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(Below) Incredible Tales, an anthology series based on local horror narratives, was screened on Media- 5 produced Shiver (1997), an anthology and toyol hauntings respectively. Yet Also of interest is Nuraliah Norasid’s The culture – the hungry ghost, the toyol and corp’s Channel 5 from 2005 to 2013. Courtesy of Mediacorp. series patterned after the Western classic both films feature all-Chinese casts − an Gatekeeper (2017), winner of the Epigram the pontianak. (Bottom) Film still and movie poster from Kelvin Tong’s The Maid (女佣; 2006). The film is about a newly The Twilight Zone, featuring bizarre plots offensive act of erasure given the original Books Fiction Prize. The author cunningly Perhaps the last word on our hor- arrived Filipino domestic worker in Singapore who encounters supernatural forces during the Chinese about time travel and werewolves. ethnic roots of these tales. combines the Medusa Greek mythology ror heritage should go to Alfian Sa’at. As seventh lunar month. Courtesy of Mediacorp. Homegrown horror would eventu- So, are we in danger of losing our with Malay legends, yielding the tale of an author who once scorned works like ally take over the small screen too with horror heritage? Probably not. There are Ria, a serpent-haired girl who communes True Singapore Ghost Stories, he now Channel 5’s Incredible Tales (2005–2013), still plenty of publications featuring local with jungle spirits. confesses a new-found respect for these an anthology series based on local hor- spooks, including Andrew Lim’s Tales from Ultimately, we may be able to sustain writings as a form of national literature; ror narratives. Mediacorp would also the Kopitiam series (2008–09), Verena a horror culture that balances foreign the oral folklores of multiple races mesh- commission Esan Sivalingam’s TV movie Tay’s Spectre (2012) and the Spooked in and local monsters. To fathom this, one ing as one, teaching us superstitions and Pulau Hantu (2008), which tackled ghost Singapore series (2014–15), ostensibly need only consider the phenomenon of taboos from each other’s cultures and stories in army camps. written by “the team of exorcists from Universal Studios Singapore’s Hallow- traditions. Interestingly, Mediacorp writers of Ghostbuster Singapore”. een Horror Nights, an annual festival the 1990s had unwittingly foreseen a future The most ambitious of these books is of horror held since 2011. As might be “One does not need to be Malay trend in our horror scene. Singaporeans probably Sandi Tan’s The Black Isle (2012). expected of an American-owned entity, to know what a Pontianak is. One had a longing to be haunted, not only by The novel retells the story of Singapore the event features actors playing creepy does not have to believe in any their own ghosts, but also by the spectres through the eyes of the spirit medium characters straight out of Hollywood: religion to entertain the possibility of foreign lands. Cassandra, who exerts her dark influence vampires, aliens, witches, serial killers of demonic possession. One does on the island throughout its history, from and clowns. Interspersed with these are not have to be a Taoist to know that Cosmopolitan Horror (2000s–present) the time of British colonialism and the a few scares inspired by non-American it is somewhat taboo to mess around Japanese Occupation to the Communist cultures: Chinese fox fairies, Japan’s with Hungry Ghost offerings… [T]his In 2009, a new best-selling Singaporean Emergency, Konfrontasi and Independence. Suicide Forest and the Mexican Day of circulation and borrowing of beliefs horror series hit the shelves, marketed Otto Fong’s Bitter Suites (2013) is the Dead. was hardly self-conscious, and a specifically at children. TheMr Midnight noteworthy for both its originality and However, amidst these imported demonstration of a kind of grassroots series (2009–present) is the work of its gore: it features a curse on social ghouls are refreshingly local elements. interculturalism… If multiculturalism James Lee, the pen name of Jim Aitchison media, condemning its victims to suffer Visitors witness zombie outbreaks in HDB is about respecting other people's – author of the raunchy Sarong Party Girl the tortures of Chinese hell as depicted blocks and hawker centres; they walk into beliefs, interculturalism goes further, comic books (1994–96) as well as the lyrics in Haw Par Villa. Younger readers may recreations of Chinese funerals, Malay to the point of adopting these beliefs. of the National Day songs, “One People, prefer Zed Yeo’s Half Ghost (2016), about a graveyards, World War II hospitals, army Even if this was about hedging bets One Nation, One Singapore” (1990) and half-human, half-vampire boy named Nail camps and MRT tracks; and they encounter against the spiritual world… Hantulah “The Singapore Story” (1998). who battles a pontianak in the underworld. familiar phantoms from our multiethnic Singapura.”14 Surprisingly, the 109 volumes of Mr Midnight display few hallmarks of local Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights is an annual festival of horror held since 2011. The event features actors playing creepy characters horror. The protagonists may be Singa- straight out of Hollywood: vampires, aliens, witches, serial killers and clowns. Interspersed with these are a few scares inspired by non-American cultures, porean children, but their paranormal such as Chinese fox fairies, Japan’s Suicide Forest and the Mexican Day of the Dead. Courtesy of Dejiki.com. foes are the stuff of Hollywood: Egyptian mummies, killer clowns, murderous robots, haunted pumpkins, monstrous Santa Clauses and the like. One could claim this is due to Aitch- ison’s Australian origins. Yet the truth is, a number of recent Singaporean storytellers too have embraced Hollywood horror in their creations. S.M. De Silva’s Blood on horror cinema, which had been dormant pontianak in an abandoned village. Kelvin the Moon (2010) describes a young Singa- since the 1960s. It would take almost 25 Tong chose to explore Chinese horror porean’s voyage to a city full of vampires years before the first Singaporean full- in The Maid (女佣; 2006), depicting the and werewolves. Nicholas Yong’s Land of length horror movie in English would be ordeals of a Filipina domestic worker the Meat Munchers (2013) and Ryan Loh’s released locally. This was Arthur Smith’s during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Even Dead Singapura (2016) envision our city in Medium Rare (1991), inspired by the Adrian horror comedy made a comeback, with the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Angie Lim murders. Six years later, another works like Tong’s Men in White (鬼 啊！鬼 Child’s The Regenerator (2015) deals with cine­matic version of the infamous murders 啊！; 2007), and Jack Neo and Boris Boo’s alien invaders in the future – the 23rd 4 Singapore Press Holdings. (1953, February 19). Round-up 9 A runaway bestseller. (1989, December 6). The Straits appeared: Hugo Ng’s God or Dog (1997). Where Got Ghost? (吓到笑; 2009). century no less. Notes of the three amusement parks – New World, Happy World, Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Around the same time, Eric Khoo’s violent Television likewise embraced horror Among filmmakers, even Kelvin Tong, 1 Abdullah Abdul Kadir. (2009). The Hikayat Abdullah (A. H. Great World: This ‘monster’ is one of the thrills of the Ghost 10 Sukmawati Umar. (2015, October 9). Inspiring chills at Hill, Trans.) (p. 146). Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Branch drama Mee Pok Man (1995) featured a elements in its programming, even as once so obsessed with Chinese ghosts, Ride in the amusement park [Photograph]. Retrieved from Halloween Horror Nights. The New Paper. Retrieved from of the Royal Asiatic Society. (Call no.: RSEA 959.5 ABD). National Archives of Singapore website. The New Paper website. script written by horror author Damien Mediacorp’s early shows were inspired has now turned his sights to the West. His [Note: Abdullah claims that Colonel William Farquhar 5 Amir Muhammad. (2010). 120 Malay movies (p. 14). Petaling 11 Lee, R. (1992). The almost complete collection of true Sin: a very loose retelling of his short more by foreign horror traditions than latest movie, The Faith of Anna Waters organised the expedition; later historians establish that it Jaya: Matahari Books. (Call no.: RSEA 791.430899923 Singapore ghost stories (Book 2) (pp. 20–23). Singapore: story “One Last Cold Kiss”. our own. For instance, Channel 8 cre- (2016), deals with an American family in was almost certainly Raffles. See Hahn, E. (1968). Raffles of AMI-[ART]) Flame of the Forest. (Call no.: RSING LEE) Singapore (pp. 463–464). London: Oxford University Press Supernatural horror found its way ated Immortal Love (不老传说; 1997), a Singapore confronting a Christian-style 6 Chandy, G. (2000, April 23). Once an MP, now he’s a ‘JC’. The 12 Lee, R. (1994). The almost complete collection of true Kula Lumpur: University of Malaya Press. Call no.: RSING New Paper, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Singapore ghost stories (Book 3) (pp. 19–22). Singapore: back into cinema soon after. Fittingly, the soap opera about 19th-century Singa- demonic suicide cult. A more complicated 959.570210924 RAF-H-[HIS]]. 7 Othman Wok. (1991). Malayan horror: Macabre tales of Angsana Books. (Call no.: RSING LEE) first work in this new wave of films was a poreans being transformed into jiangshi set of cultural issues surrounds Gilbert 2 Tigers. (1843, October 26). The Singapore Free Press and Singapore and Malaysia in the 50’s. Singapore: Heinemann 13 Interview with Pugalenthii, 25 March 2017. tribute to the classic Malay horror movie: or Chinese vampires − creatures made Chan’s 23:59 (2011) and Ghost Child (鬼仔; Mercantile Advertiser, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Asia. (Call no.: RSING S899.2305 OTH) 14 Alfian Sa’at. (2017, January 19). Some thoughts which Djinn Ong’s Return to Pontianak (2001), famous by Hong Kong films rather than 2013). These two films draw on the classic 3 Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times in 8 Whitehead, A. (2013). Introduction to The Wayang at Eight I shared at last night's forum on Singapore literature Singapore, 1819–1867 (pp. 575–576). Singapore: Oxford in which a team of trekkers encounters a local folklore. At the same time, Channel local tropes of army camp ghost stories Milestone: Stories & essays by Gregory Nalpon (p. xvii). (paraphrased and expanded). Retrieved from Facebook. University Press. (Call no.: RSING 959.57 BUS-[HIS]) Singapore: Epigram Books. (Not available in NLB holdings) 08 09 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

lying to the east of the Suez Canal. The (Facing page) Steamers passing phrase itself had been made popular by through the Suez Canal. The 164-km- the poem Mandalay, published in 1890 by long and 54-metre-wide canal ­– Rudyard Kipling, the celebrated chroni- which opened on 17 November 1869 cler of the British Empire and doyen of ­­– linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea changed the course all things Far Eastern. of maritime history forever as it paved the way for the advent of long- distance leisure travel. Ships head- The Suez Canal and its Impact on Travel ing East from Europe no longer had to traverse the Cape of Good Hope The Suez Canal took nearly 15 years to and the western coast of the African build, from the time it was envisioned in continent to get to Arabia. Kennie EAST Ting Collection. 1854 by a Franco-Egyptian consortium to its actual completion in 1869, as the (Left) In response to an increased of demand for travel, shipping lines and project was beset by political and financial tour agencies began to offer round- disputes, engineering issues and chronic the-world cruises as early as the labour shortages. On 17 November 1869, 1910s. This is an advertisement from in a lavish ceremony held at Port Said in the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Egypt, the 164-km-long and 54-metre- Navigation Company promoting its round-the-world tours and cruises wide canal linking the Mediterranean to the exotic Far East. Kennie Ting SUEZ Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus Collection. THE MYSTIQUE OF TRAVEL of Suez was declared open, changing (Below) A painting by the French the course of maritime history forever. shipping company, Compagnie des For the first time, ships heading East Méssageries Maritimes, depicting life on board one of its cruise liners. from Europe no longer had to traverse If one travelled first class, travel by Rudyard Kipling coined the phrase “East of Suez” to describe the Cape of Good Hope and the western ship was as opulent and luxurious as coast of the African continent just to get any hotel establishment could offer. the exotic lands east of the Suez Canal. Kennie Ting goes to Arabia, less than 2,000 miles south Kennie Ting Collection. back to a time when people were travellers, not tourists. of Greece. Months were shaved off the journey, and this proved pivotal to long- distance maritime trade and paved the way for the advent of leisure travel to “Ship me somewheres east of Suez, where the best is like the worst, faraway lands. Where there aren't no Ten Commandments an' a man can raise a thirst; Prior to the opening of the Suez For the temple-bells are callin', an' it's there that I would be — Canal, only colonial civil servants or By the old Moulmein Pagoda, looking lazy at the sea...” 1 merchants with interest in far-flung foreign dominions would elect to travel – Rudyard Kipling, "Mandalay" to the East. By and large, the leisure traveller was a rare sight: one had to be fairly intrepid – or foolhardy – to Imagine, if you can, standing at the manservant is counting the pieces, sheltering her from the heat of the take such a long and arduous journey. edge of the passenger platform, on to make sure everything arrived tropical sun with a sturdy parasol. However, by the 1880s, a small number the banks of the Suez Canal. It’s safe and sound from the Hotel de Your eyes meet. You lift your hat of leisure travellers, taking advantage been two weeks since you arrived l’Europe in Port Said. He has been slightly and nod. She acknowledges of the shortened journey via the Suez, iin Egypt, one month since leaving at your side for the entire journey, it with a slightly hesitant smile. Will would venture forth where no other in Southampton. And now here you are making sure you feel at home away you see her again on board the ship, their time had been before – and return in Port Said, waiting to board your from home, everywhere you go. you wonder... to recount their tales. next ship for the onward journey The first of these adventurous trav- to British India, and beyond that, You glance to your right, at the The year is 1928. Our gentleman ellers were accommodated as passen- the Far East. well-dressed lady who is similarly tourist has just embarked on his cruise gers on board mail or cargo steamers, waiting to board the ship. She to the Far East and is at present about to putting up with basic facilities that were – later known as World War I – did little tour agencies such as Thomas Cook & Your bags are packed. They sit appears to be travelling alone too, head “East of Suez” – what the European meant for much hardier members of the to quell demand and, by the early 1920s, Son, Raymond & Whitcomb Company innocuously at the rear. Your and her maidservant stands by her, powers called their colonial dominions crew. By the turn of the 19th century, the cruise liner industry was at its peak. and American Express’ Travel Depart- however, “pleasure cruises” had become For Europeans and Americans in ment, reinforced this impression of the a viable industry. The Great War (1914–18) the 1920s, newly affluent and with an East as an exotic and idyllic haven, often insatiable curiosity for seeing a world describing the passage East with words they had hitherto read about in journals and phrases that invoked a return to Kennie Ting is the Director of the Asian Civilisations Museum and Group Director of and heard about in news broadcasts, innocence, or at least to a simpler and Museums at the National Heritage Board. He the East presented a thrilling, albeit more spiritual existence. is the author of the book, The Romance of the somewhat fantastical counterpoint to the Mind-boggling distances and unfa- Grand Tour: 100 Years of Travel in South East West, with its social niceties, its modern miliar cultures were rendered far more Asia, which explores the colonial heritage of conveniences and its increasingly hectic manageable and immediate through Southeast Asian port cities and the history of pace of life. detailed descriptions and evocative pho- travel to the East. This article is an expanded Brochures from the major shipping tographs that brought the locale to life version of the introduction to his book. lines of the era, as well as independent on paper to the would-be traveller. The

10 11 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature journey itself was promoted as one of handful of major port cities – Bombay, important because it was here, in this P & O, established in 1837 in Southampton, (Below) Passengers dressed in their best on a cruise liner belonging to the German-owned Norddeutscher discovery, both of uncharted territory and Colombo, Calcutta, Rangoon, Singapore, far-flung landscape of peninsulas and England, to deliver mail on behalf of the Lloyd company in 1912. Cruising was very much a formal affair then, with male passengers dressed in suits, of the self. By undertaking these passages Batavia, Saigon, Hanoi, Manila, Hong Kong, archipelagos, that major colonial European British Empire to the Iberian Peninsula, and ladies in neck-to-ankle blouse and skirt ensembles and extravagant large hats. John Koh Collection. East, the average upper middle-class Macao, Tientsin, Shanghai and others, powers had carved out significant ter- and subsequently to the city of Alexandria. (Bottom) Dining Hall of a cruise ship belonging to the American President Lines c.1920s. Life on board the ship typically revolved around food and entertainment. Guests in the grand dining rooms would be European or American could fancy him before terminating in the treaty port cit- ritories to leave their imprint. Southeast From Egypt, the company expanded its treated to multi-course meals to the accompaniment of resident musical ensembles. John Koh Collection. or herself as following in the illustrious ies of Kobe or Yokohama in Japan. Those Asia, in other words, was an extension of operations out East as far as China and footsteps of great explorers, adventurers with time and money to spare would use Europe (and America) itself, and its cities Japan, acquiring and merging with other and travel writers before them. To aspire these port cities as a base, from which familiar re-creations of the imperial cities steamship companies to secure its posi- was to explore. to take excursions to major historic sites back home – London, Paris, Amsterdam tion as the foremost shipping line in the and centres of culture – the palaces of – offering respite to the Grand Tourist in world by the early 1900s. When Travel was Leisure Rajasthan, the ruins of Bagan, Angkor, between the vast, alien expanses of India The other colonial powers had P & O Borobudur and Ayutthaya, and the imperial and China. equivalents: the French Compagnie des In response to a heightened demand for cities of Peking and Tokyo. The cruise liner market was domi- Méssageries Maritimes (literally “mari- travel, shipping lines and tour agencies Southeast Asia – or the East Indies, nated by a few major shipping companies, time packet company”), more commonly began to offer round-the-world cruises as as this part of the world was known then most of which were considered “national” known as Méssageries Maritimes, was early as the 1910s. These were trips that – was an important stopover between lines, much like the national airline carri- established in 1851. Headquartered in the circumnavigated the globe, stopping off India and the Far East, not least because ers of today. The largest of these compa- Mediterranean port city of Marseille in briefly at a string of major cities. Catering of its geographical location between the nies was the Peninsula & Oriental Steam France, their “paquebots” (as the French to a select group of wealthy persons of two areas. Rather, the East Indies was Navigation Company, better known as called their steamships) were to be seen in leisure, or famous celebrities and writ- all major port cities in the Middle East, and ers, these round-the-world journeys by by the 1900s, with Saigon in Vietnam as its Batavia and Shanghai were popular ports of call for tourists on the Grand Tour of the East. [Below] The steamships could take up to a whole year Amsterdam Gate in Batavia, which existed from 1744 to the 1950s, formed the entrance to the Castle Square second headquarters, also in the Far East. or more, with travellers stopping over for south of Batavia Castle. [Bottom] This is a view of the historic Bund, the waterfront area in Shanghai that The Dutch established the Koninklijke months at a time at major ports, absorb- runs alongside the Huangpu River. Both photos are from the Kennie Ting Collection. Paketvaart-Maatschappij (Royal Packet ing the sights and experiencing the local Navigation Company), or KPM, in 1888, histories and cultures at their leisure. in its capital, Amsterdam. With Batavia in Holidays in the pre-jet era, for those the Dutch East Indies as its Eastern head- who could afford them, were extended, quarters, the KPM brought significant trade indulgent breaks for rest, recreation and and passenger traffic to Java, cementing on occasion, recuperation. Batavia’s position as a global entrepôt and Of course, passengers on services a formidable competitor to Singapore in out East did not just include vacationers. the region. The bulk of these passengers continued Modes of transportation on round- to be businessmen and colonial officials; the-world tours were not limited to mari- and significantly after World War I, new time steamships. Tour agencies were immigrants, seeking out a fresh start in the committed to making the most of existing far-flung colonies of the home countries. sea, river, land and, from the late 1920s They, too, would have been attracted to an onwards, fledgling air travel networks in image of the East as a land of opportunity, the region to take the Grand Tourist where where fortunes could be made. he or she wanted to go. But the steamship Unlike the historic Grand Tours of and cruise liner would remain the most continental Europe, which began in the evocative, romantic and visible symbol of late 1700s and remained a popular rite of long-distance luxury travel for much of passage for wealthy elites in Britain and the first half of the 20th century. America well into the 1900s, the intent ment. The former was abundant – the gong Between the 1900s and 1920s, social of undertaking a round-the-world Grand Life on the High Seas would sound at appropriate intervals of life on board ships became more varied as Tour that took one to the East wasn’t so the day for breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner the ships became larger and social mores much to better or educate one’s self, but Life on board the cruise liner, particularly, and supper. Wine and beer would flow grew more relaxed. In the 1910s, male pas- to experience something new and exotic if one travelled first class, was as opulent freely, and champagne would be popped sengers would have been uncomfortably – leisure, rather than self-advancement. and luxurious as any hotel establishment for first-class passengers. Guests would garbed in stiff suits, while ladies would be There was also an undeniable degree could offer, with shipping lines constantly be dressed to the nines outside of their dressed in stifling corsets, and neck-to- of colonial superiority involved in the competing with one another to put out the private staterooms; particularly for din- ankle blouse and skirt ensembles with Grand Tourists’ gaze, which tended to speediest, smoothest and most luxurious ner, where they would join other guests in high boots and extravagant large hats. objectify unfamiliar Eastern cultures ships in the market. No cost and effort was the capacious dining rooms, to be treated Interaction between the sexes would have and judge them as inferior to the West, spared in ensuring that the interiors of to multi-course meals and regaled by been polite, guarded by modesty. rather than attempt to understand them these ships afforded a sense of decadence resident musical ensembles. The Great War of 1914−18 swept on an equal footing. and privilege. In fact, many of the dining In between meals, social activity away these inhibitions. Suddenly, men and halls, lounges and smoking rooms were centred on the common spaces: open-air women no longer dressed as conserva- Go East, Young Man often theatrical in outlook and design, promenade decks, the lounge halls and tively, particularly the women, who started reinforcing the impression that one was the smoking rooms, the latter restricted wearing the gauzy, flimsy flapper dresses The customary stops on Grand Tours of participating in a kind of sweeping epic only to first-class male passengers, who that were all the rage in the 1920s. The the East depended in large part on the drama on the high seas. would idle their time away on card games, Americans introduced larger cruise liners Colonial Empire from which the travel- Everyday life on board the ship typi- drinks and conversation, all the while puff- with more amenities − tennis courts, pool ler hailed. Generally, the tour took in a cally revolved around food and entertain- ing away on a cigar or cigarette. tables, even swimming pools on deck.

12 13 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

While social convention still held sway on Staying at one of these Grand Hotels Marguerite Duras in the Francophone land, once aboard these ships, no holds became an integral part of the Grand Tour. tradition; and Louis Couperus, E. du were barred. Affairs were commonplace; Quite a few of the hotels became legend- Perron and Robert Nieuwenhuys in the gossip, scandal and intrigue were the order ary destinations in their own right: the Taj Dutch tradition. of the day, and all these theatrics served Mahal Hotel in Bombay; Grand Hotel in Some of these writers had been to make the long journey more bearable Calcutta; Galle Face Hotel in Colombo; born or lived significant parts of their and infinitely more memorable. Strand Hotel in Rangoon; Raffles Hotel lives in the Far East before returning to in Singapore; Hotel Des Indes in Batavia; the West. Others undertook the Grand Life in the Grand Hotels Oriental Hotel in Bangkok; Hotel Conti- Tour of these countries and returned to nental in Saigon; Peninsula Hotel in Hong recount the tale. Somerset Maugham, When the ships docked, Grand Hotels Kong; Cathay Hotel in Shanghai; Imperial in particular, would famously establish would take centrestage, and each city Hotel in Tokyo, and the like. a presence in many of the region’s leg- on the Grand Tour of the East boasted its All of these Grand Hotels became endary hotels, having travelled through own grande dame of the hospitality scene. the centre of the colonial social circles of almost all of the major Asian cities en The hotels were glorious, opulent esta­ each city, catering to an almost exclusively route to the Pacific Islands. He would blishments that catered to the fastidious European clientele – extremely wealthy later meticulously document his experi- needs of the Grand Tourists, who, having Chinese and Southeast Asian nobility were ences in numerous travel books, novels to travel for weeks or months at a time, also welcome – until World War II broke and stories, in particular his signature often recreated their pampered lifestyles out. Every one of these hotels’ guest-lists travelogue, The Gentleman in the Parlour: (Above left) The Sarkies Brothers from New Julfa, an Armenian enclave in the Persian city of Isfahan, owned luxury on board, complete with dozens of trunks read like a veritable who’s who of the time. A Record of a Journey from Rangoon to hotels in the major Southeast Asian cities. These included the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, the Strand Hotel in Ran- of luggage and their favourite maids or Heads of state, royalty, taipans and busi- Haiphong (1970). goon, and the E & O and Crag hotels in Penang. Staying at one of these Grand Hotels became an integral part of the man servants. ness tycoons, socialites, celebrities and Notable personalities linked to the Grand Tour, with these lodgings serving as homes away from home for the Grand Tourists. Kennie Ting Collection. Boasting “European style” amenities entertainers, even notorious gangsters Grand Hotels were not limited to guests (Above right) A view of the Manila Hotel in Manila, the Philippines, from the river. The hotel still stands today and has been refurbished to its former glory. Kennie Ting Collection. that included full suites with separate liv- and international criminals, featured in alone. The remarkable Sarkies Brothers ing/dining, sleeping and washing areas, the histories that took place within these would have their name associated with and the latest technologies like electricity rarefied walls. a good half-dozen legendary hotels in Malaya, but it was Tigran, the second Thankfully, these Grand Hotels Du Perron, E. (1984). Country of origin (Het land van and water closets (what flush toilets were But it would fall to the writers and the East, all in Southeast Asian cities. brother with an entrepreneurial streak, established by the Messrs Sarkies and herkomst). Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press. (Call no.: RCLOS 839.3136219 PER) called in those days), these establishments poets to immortalise the gilded lives Originating from New Julfa, an Armenian who co-founded with Martin in 1885 the their relatives have miraculously with- Duras, M. (1985). The lover (L’Amant). New York: were more like homes away from home, that unfolded in these Far Eastern hotels enclave in the Persian city of Isfahan, the company Sarkies Brothers and estab- stood the test of time and continue to Pantheon Books. (Call no.: RSEA 843.912 DUR) rather than the hotels or guest-houses at the turn of the century: Somerset Sarkies brothers had each, in their turn, lished the Eastern & Oriental (E & O) receive guests today in the cities of Pen- Fletcher, R. A. (1913). Travelling palaces: Luxury in travellers today are more accustomed to. Maugham, George Orwell, Noel Coward, made their way to Southeast Asia, by way Hotel in Penang that same year. This ang, Yangon, Surabaya and Singapore. passenger steamships. London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd. Retrieved from Internet Archive website. Guests would reside for weeks or months Rudyard Kipling and Joseph Conrad (to of British India. was followed by the Raffles Hotel in Restored to their former splendour, these Greene, G. (1955). The quiet American. New York: Viking at a time, reading books, writing letters, name but a few) in the Anglophone tra- There were four brothers: Martin, Singapore two years later. Aviet, the third edifices are a living testament to the glory Press. (Call no.: RDET 823.912 GRE) entertaining guests or trading gossip. dition; André Malraux, Pierre Loti and the eldest, was the first to arrive in brother, would establish the Strand Hotel days of travel to the East of Suez. Kipling, R. (1892). Mandalay. In R. Kipling. (1892), in Rangoon in 1901, while the youngest Barrack-room ballads, and other verses. London: brother, Arshak, would take over the reins Methuen Publishing. (Not available in NLB holdings) Liu, G. (2006). Raffles Hotel.Singapore: Editions Didier Each city on the Grand Tour of the East had its own grande dame of the hospitality scene. The hotels were glorious, opulent establishments that catered to the of managing the E & O in Penang, becom- fastidious needs of the Grand Tourists who, having to travel for weeks or months at a time, often recreated their pampered lifestyles wherever they stayed. Notes Millet. (Call no.: RSING q915.9570613 LIU-[TRA]) ing the brother who was most indelibly Loti, P. (1999). A pilgrimage to Angkor (Un pèlerin Pictured here is the majestic Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay, India. Kennie Ting Collection. 1 Kipling, R. (1892). Mandalay. In R. Kipling. (1892), Barrack- d’angkor). Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, (Call no.: linked to that establishment. room ballads, and other verses. London: Methuen RSEA 915.9604 LOT-[TRA]) By the early 1900s, the Sarkies Broth- Publishing. (Not available in NLB holdings) Malraux, A. (1961). The royal way (La voie royale). New ers were the leading hoteliers in the East, York: Random House. (Not available in NLB holdings) counting, among their properties, not just References Maugham, W. S. (1953). The casuarina tree: Six stories. the Raffles, the E & O and the Strand, but Artmonsky, R., & Cox, S. (2012). P & O: Across the London: W. Heinemann. (Call no.: RCLOS 823.91 MAU) oceans, across the years. UK: Antique Collectors’ Maugham, W. S. (1930). The gentleman in the parlour: A also the Crag Hotel in Penang, and the Club. (Not available in NLB holdings) Seaview Hotel and the Raffles Tiffin Room record of a journey from Rangoon to Haiphong. London: Berneron-Couvenhes, M. (2007). Les Messageries Maritimes William Heinemann Ltd. (Call no.: RSEA 959 MAU) in Singapore. A cousin managed the Adel- – L’essor d’une grande compagnie de navigation française, Meade, M., Fitchett, J., & Lawrence, A. (1987). Grand phi Hotel in Singapore – yet another grand 1851–1894. Paris: Presses de l’Université Paris-Sorbonne. Oriental hotels: From Cairo to Tokyo, 1800–1939. hotel establishment. In the meantime, a (Not available in NLB holdings) London: J. M. Dent & Sons. (Call no.: RSING Bird, I. L. (1967). The golden chersonese and the way 647.95401 MEA) Javanese branch of the Sarkies family thither. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. was established, headed by Martin’s son, Niewenhuys, R. (1982). Faded portraits. Amherst: (Call no.: RCLOS 959.5 BIS) University of Massachusetts Press. (Call no.: RCLOS Lucas Martin Sarkies, who would go on to Conrad, J. (1900). Lord Jim. Retrieved from Project 839.31364 NIE) helm the fabled Oranje Hotel (today’s Hotel Gutenberg website. Nieuwenhuys, R. (1999). Mirror of the Indies: A history Conrad, J. (1917). The shadow-line: A confession. of Dutch colonial literature (Oost-Indische Spiegel). Majapahit) in the port city of Soerabaja – Retrieved from Project Gutenberg website. Java’s great metropolis. Hong Kong: Periplus Editions. (Call no.: RDET Couperus, L. (1922). The hidden force (De stille kracht). 839.31099598 NIE) The Malayan branch of Sarkies London: J. Cape. (Call no.: RSEA 833.3136 COU) Orwell, G. (2014). Burmese days. London: Penguin Brothers would go bankrupt in 1931, in Coward, N. (2002). Mad dogs and Englishmen. In The Classics. (Call no.: RSEA 823.912 ORW) the thick of the Great Depression and fol- Noel Coward songbook [Sound recording]. New Sarraut, A. (2010). Indochina. Bangkok, Thailand: White York: EMI Classics. (Call no.: 782.14 COW-ART]) Lotus. (Call no.: RSEA 959.703 SAR) lowing Arshak’s tragic and untimely death Crawfurd, J. (1830). Journal of an embassy from the of a heart attack at Penang’s E & O Hotel. Sharp, I. (2008). The E & O Hotel: Pearl of Penang. governor-general of India to the courts of Siam and Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions. (Call no.: Management of all their hotels would pass Cochin-China; exhibiting a view of the actual State of RSEA 915.95106 SHA-[TRA]) out of the family’s hands, with the excep- these kingdoms. London: H. Colburn and R. Bentley. Ting, K. (2015). The romance of the grand tour: 100 years (Microfilm no.: NL 11335) tion of the Oranje, which continued to be of travel in South East Asia. Singapore: Talisman Deakes, C., & Stanley, T. (2013). A century of sea travel: Publishing. (Call no.: RSING 915.9 TIN-[TRA]) managed by Lucas Martin Sarkies and his Personal accounts from the steamship era. UK: descendants until the 1960s. Seaforth Publishing. (Not available in NLB holdings)

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violence generally suffer from what is known ings, revenge, jealousy, fear, desperation or Sunny Ang Soo Suan came from a middle- as a pathological personality condition. religious fanaticism. class family and obtained his Senior Criminal or offender profiling (also Singapore has seen several promi- Cambridge Grade One school certificate in known as criminal investigative analy- nent murder cases over the last 50 years, 1955. He received a Colombo Plan scholar- sis) is sometimes used by the police to each unique in its own way. As there are ship in 1957 to train as a commercial airline explain the behavioural makeup of the too many cases to profile within the scope pilot, but was subsequently dropped from perpetrator and identify likely suspects. of this article, we have selected only four the programme due to his arrogant and Careful study of the crime scene photos, cases – Mimi Wong, John Martin Scripps, irresponsible behaviour. Ang also had a the physical and non-physical evidence, Sunny Ang and Adrian Lim – that span the history of theft, and was caught trying to the manner in which the victim was killed decades from the 1960s to 1990s. The first steal from a radio shop on 12 July 1962, or the body disposed of, witnesses’ state- two have been categorised as “crimes of only to be successfully defended by the ments, autopsy photos and forensic lab impulse” (also called “crimes of passion”, prominent criminal lawyer, David Mar- reports allow investigators to compile a usually driven by jealousy or murderous shall, and placed on probation. MURDER profile of the murderer. rage), while the latter two involved care- Ang was also a former Grand Prix The level of risk taken by the offender ful planning and malicious aforethought race car driver, and was ranked among and the degree of organisation (or disor- (called “instrumental crimes”, with the the top 10 in the 1961 Singapore Grand ganisation) of the crime scene can provide crime being the instrument to achieve a Prix. He was also a reckless driver, killing clues about the relationship between specific aim). a pedestrian shortly after the Grand Prix the perpetrator and victim, as well as event, claiming that the man had suddenly MOST the nature of their interactions prior to Sunny Ang: Murder for Greed appeared on the road. Ang became an the crime. Inferences can also be drawn undischarged bankrupt in October 1962; about the perpetrator’s emotional state he owed debts of more than $6,000 to of mind by examining the injuries left three parties and remained a bankrupt When: 27 August 1963, 5 pm on the victim’s body. Extensive injuries up to his death in 1967. Crime scene: Straits of Pulau Dua or excessive ligature markings usually Ang met Jenny Cheok Cheng Kid (Sisters’ Islands) point to a high level of rage or aggression. when she was employed as a waitress at The accused: Sunny Ang Soo Suan MALEVOLENT A meticulously constructed profile can the Odeon Bar and Restaurant. She was alias Anthony Ang, aged 28 become a useful tool to help the police a divorcee with two children, a son and The victim: Jenny Cheok Cheng Kid, recreate the crime scene and narrow a daughter. aged 22 Sunny Ang, Mimi Wong, Adrian Lim and John Martin Scripps down the scope of their investigations. On 27 August 1963, Ang and Cheok are some of the most cold-blooded murderers in Singapore’s Studies have shown that many mur- hired a boat at Jardine Steps for a scuba- ders arise from conflicts between people diving trip to Pulau Dua (Sisters’ Islands). “It seems there is a popular belief crime history. Sharon Teng revisits their horrific acts. who know each other, such as friends, At Ang’s instructions, the boatman Yusuf that there can be no murder unless lovers, spouses or family members. Some bin Ahmad dropped anchor in the mid- a body is produced. Nothing can be may resort to violence as an attempt to dle of the straits. Cheok suited up in her more fallacious and more untrue. A establish power or assert control over diving gear and descended into the sea, person can be convicted of murder the other person. Other murders may be only to surface less than 10 minutes later. without the body being found.” 4 precipitated by a psychological build-up of She then did a second dive after Ang had physical or emotional trauma over time as -Justice Murray Buttrose, the presiding exchanged her cylinder tank with another, well as anger, financial greed, sexual crav- High Court judge, 18 May 1965 claiming that the first tank contained insuf- There are few things more heinous than In 2015, the Singapore Police Force mysteries, forensic crime fiction, legal and ficient air. In the meantime, Ang stayed on a premeditated act of taking a human handled a total of 33,839 crime cases (or courtroom dramas, psychological thrillers board, claiming to have problems fixing a life. Under Singapore’s Penal Code Act 607 cases per 100,000 people), compared and police detective stories. Breaking news leak on his own tank. t(Cap. 224), culpable homicide is defined with 9,225,197 cases (or 2,870.2 cases per headlines of violent crimes, particularly When Cheok did not emerge after her as murder when the person who causes 100,000 people) reported in the United those involving murder, invariably attract second dive, Ang and Yusuf searched in death knowingly performs an act with States during the same year. “Crimes much public attention and invoke coffee- vain for air bubbles breaking on the water the intention of causing death or with against persons” (i.e. crimes in which the shop speculation and gossip. surface before heading to nearby St John’s the intention of causing injury leading to victim suffers bodily harm) constituted 12 What triggers an otherwise law- Island to call the Marine Police for help. death.1 In Singapore, murder is one of the percent. In the same year, there were 15 abiding citizen to go into a murderous rage Both men then picked up five Malay fisher- few crimes that warrants the mandatory cases of murder, the third lowest recorded and kill someone? In order to understand man divers from another nearby island to death penalty, besides drug trafficking in 20 years.3 why people are pushed over the edge, help search for Cheok. Even though Ang and firearms-related offences.2 homicide investigators, forensic psycholo- was a good swimmer and an experienced Singapore may be one of the safest A Murderous Mind gists, criminologists and law enforcement diver, he never entered the water once to countries in the world, but in spite of the professionals typically examine the different help search for Cheok. city-state’s tough stance against law- Crimes and criminals are objects of fas- elements of a homicide: whether the murder Divers from the Royal Navy and breakers and its unequivocal position on cination that have been fictionalised, was premeditated, the motivation of the RAF Changi Sub-Aqua Club conducted capital punishment, every now and then romanticised, sensationalised, and given killer, the context of the killing, the choice of several searches for Cheok’s body to no one hears about a horrifically violent act a larger-than-life presence in books, televi- the murder instrument used, details of the avail. Then, during a search operation of crime. sion and films based on whodunnit murder crime scene, and the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. Sunny Ang, being led by police officers here, was Many psychological theories have been charged with the murder of Jenny Cheok Cheng Kid Sharon Teng is a Librarian with the National Library, Singapore. Her responsibilities include offered to explain criminal behaviour, such at sea off Pulau Dua (Sisters’ Islands) on 27 August managing the library’s social sciences and humanities collection, developing content, and 1963. This photo is dated 4 March 1965. Source: The providing reference and research services. as temporary insanity, mental deficiency and Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. defective personality traits. Perpetrators of Permission required for reproduction. 16 17 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

the Insurance Company of North America. In 1979, Harvesters Film Distribution After Sim lost his job, Wong became in her plot to murder Ayako. Four days (Below) The straits of Pulau Dua (Sisters’ Islands) where Jenny Cheok Cheng Kid was murdered at around 5 pm on 27 August 1963. Photo taken by Ria Tan in August 2008. Courtesy of WildSingapore. And barely three hours before their dive and Production Pte Ltd announced that the sole breadwinner, supporting her hus- before the deed, Wong got together a tin (Bottom) Sunny Ang and his mother Madam Yeo Bee Neo (who was sole executor of the deceased's will) trip on 27 August, Ang extended the the Sunny Ang murder was slated to be band and two sons. In 1967, she started a of toilet cleaning liquid, a knife and a pair tried to hasten the coroner's inquiry into concluding that Jenny Cheok had drowned so that an insurance policy for a $150,000 protection to cover made into a Mandarin film estimated to new job as a towel girl at a Pasir Panjang of black gloves. At 9.30 pm on the night claim could be filed. The Straits Times, 5 March 1965, p.11. an additional five days starting from 11 cost $700,000. The actual names of the Road bar and became a waitress soon of 6 January 1970, Wong and Sim went to am on that day. key people involved in the case would be after. She later worked as a bargirl, sup- the Jalan Sea View house. Sim pretended Three days after Cheok’s disappea­ changed to avoid any legalities. plementing her income as a hostess and to be a workman who had come to repair rance, Ang informed Edward Lumley and The case was also featured in an social escort at night. a broken bathroom basin. When all three Sons that Cheok had been in a “tragic episode of the 13-part True Files, a docu- In 1966, Japanese mechanical engi- were standing near the bathroom on the accident”. On 14 October, Edward Lumley drama produced by Mediacorp that re- neer Hiroshi Watanabe was posted to second storey, Sim threw the cleaning received a lawyer’s letter informing them enacted high profile crimes of the last Singapore for work. He met Wong in liquid into Ayako’s eyes, temporarily that Ang’s mother, Madam Yeo Bee Neo, five decades, and telecast on 6 June 2002. October that year when she was working blinding her. Wong then stabbed Ayako was the sole executor of Cheok’s will. Ang as a bargirl at the Flamingo Nightclub at repeatedly with the knife and fled the also made efforts to hasten the coroner’s Mimi Wong: A Jealous Lover Kim Seng Road. They became intimate scene with Sim. inquiry into Cheok’s disappearance and soon after and Wong became Hiroshi’s When Hiroshi returned home at 10.30 seemed to be in a great hurry to have mistress in mid-1969, by which time she pm after his night shift, he discovered his her death confirmed for the purpose of When: 6 January 1970, 9.30 pm had been separated from her husband. slain wife lying in a pool of blood in the bath- claiming against her insurance policies. Crime scene: Bathroom of a Jalan Wong and Hiroshi first stayed in a rented room, with his three children crying outside. Ang was arrested on 21 December Sea View semi-detached house room in Alexandra Road before moving According to his nine-year-old daughter, 1964 and initially charged with Cheok’s The accused: Wong Weng Siu, alias to a house in Everitt Road. Chieko, their mother was attacked by murder the following day, but was given Mimi Wong, aged 34, and her hus- In September 1969, Hiroshi informed Wong and an unknown man. Chieko had a discharge not amounting to an acquit- band, Sim Woh Kum alias Sim Wor Wong that his wife, Ayako, and their three witnessed Sim and Wong manhandling tal on 30 December after his lawyer, Kum, aged 40 children would be joining him in Singapore. her mother while she was on the bathroom Punch Coomaraswamy, argued that Ang The victim: Ayako Watanabe, aged 33 Wong was enraged by this and threatened floor, with blood drenching her chest. should not be kept in remand while wait- to harm his family. Hiroshi’s family arrived Ayako was found to have a total of nine ing for the prosecution to set a date for on 23 December 1969 and moved into a wounds: one on the right side of her neck that the preliminary hearing. About an hour By the time Mimi Wong was 14, she was house in Jalan Sea View. The next day, had severed the jugular vein, and another after his discharge, however, Ang was already working as a packer at a factory in Hiroshi told Ayako about his relationship in her stomach that had pierced her aorta. again charged for the same offence and Neil Road. She met Sim Woh Kum, then 17 with Wong. He even took his wife and Ayako also suffered defensive wounds on remanded in Outram Prison. years old and a factory worker, at a picnic children to meet Wong on Christmas Day. her right hand, with finger cuts indicating Ang was tried in High Court before and they soon became a couple. Wong became extremely agitated as she that she had fought off her assailant. Justice Murray Buttrose and a seven-man Wong and Sim got married in 1958 feared that Hiroshi would put an end to Sim and Wong were arrested on 7 and jury. The prosecution was led by Senior when she was only 19. Raised by her step- their relationship now that his family was 8 January 1970 respectively after they were Crown Counsel Francis Seow and assisted mother, Wong had been bullied and beaten here. Indeed, Hiroshi had told his wife that singled out by Chieko at an identification by Syed Alwee bin Ahmad. On the second as a young girl, but after her marriage, he was making efforts to distance himself parade. Their joint trial, which began on day of the trial on 27 April 1965, the court she became the aggressive party: she from Wong but was forced to proceed with 2 November the same year, was presided by was informed that Cheok had made a will was reported to have physically abused caution due to Wong's fiery temper. Justice Tan Ah Tah and Justice Choor Singh. in the presence of Ang on 7 August 1963 her husband and her mother-in-law on Wong decided to hatch a plan with N. C. Goho and John Tan Chor-Yong were and had appointed Ang’s mother, Madam several occasions. her estranged husband, asking him to help assigned by the Supreme Court as Wong’s Yeo, as the sole beneficiary. This was and Sim’s defence lawyers respectively. bizarre as Cheok had never met Madam Then Solicitor-General Francis Seow was Yeo, according to Cheok’s half-sister, Irene. the lead prosecutor. In the prosecution’s summation of During the trial, Wong pushed the on 3 September, a flipper was found on and were considered challenging even for the case on 18 May 1965, Ang was alleged blame entirely on Sim for Ayako’s murder, the ocean floor at a depth of 45 feet, near experienced divers; in fact the area was to have murdered Cheok by tampering confessing only to slapping and shoving the spot where Cheok was last seen. The regarded as an unsuitable site for swim- with her diving equipment, causing her to the victim but not stabbing her. Sim was flipper’s strap was found with clean cuts, ming, let alone scuba-diving. Cheok’s half- drown. His motive was clear: to collect the vehement in his protest that it was Wong which could only have been done with a sister, Irene Toh, and the boatman, Yusuf, huge payouts from insurance policies he who had masterminded the entire heinous razor blade, a knife or a pair of scissors. both corroborated that Cheok was a poor had taken out on Cheok less than a month plot and stabbed the victim repeatedly. Laboratory tests later confirmed that the swimmer and a novice scuba diver. At the before her death. After a marathon 26-day trial, both cuts were unlikely to have been caused by time of her disappearance at 5 pm on 27 After an intense 13-day trial, the Wong and Sim were convicted of kill- corals. The flipper was identified as one August 1963, there was a strong current seven-men jury deliberated for two hours ing Ayako, and sentenced to death on 7 of a pair which Ang’s younger brother, running along the Pulau Dua straits. Ang and returned with a unanimous guilty December 1970. William, had borrowed from his class- had deliberately scheduled the dive trip verdict. Ang was sentenced to death on The pair made three rounds of mate, David Benjamin Woodworth. The on Tuesday − a workday afternoon when it 18 May 1965 and hanged at 5.55 am on 7 appeals between 1972 and 1973 to have prosecution concluded that it was one was unlikely for people to be in the vicinity. February 1967. their death sentences commuted to life of the flippers worn by Cheok during her About a month before Cheok’s disap- The Sunny Ang murder case was the imprisonment, but were unsuccessful. fateful dive. pearance, Ang had signed up his girlfriend first tried in Singapore and Malaysia that The couple was hanged at dawn on 27 July According to an expert witness, the for four accident insurance policies total- was based entirely on circumstantial evi- sudden loss of a flipper would adversely ling $350,000 from two insurance com- dence, as the victim’s body was never found affect a diver’s stability and mobility panies: Edward Lumley and Sons (M) Ltd, and there were no witnesses to the crime. Mimi Wong and her husband Sim Woh Kum were Ang was also one of the last murderers to sentenced to death on 7 December 1970 for the underwater. Other witnesses called to the and American International Underwriters murder of Ayako Watanabe. Wong was the mistress stand testified that the waters surrounding Ltd. On 14 August, Ang insured Cheok for be tried by jury in Singapore − before jury of the Japanese woman's husband. The Straits Sisters’ Islands had a strong undertow, a further $100,000 accident coverage with trials were abolished in 1969. Times, 8 December 1970, p.1.

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1973 at Changi Prison, after a 32-month Between 1976 and 1978, Lim and Tan Depressed after her husband’s death, Hoe she had been sexually assaulted before stay of execution. got together to perform risqué striptease began hearing voices and hallucinating, being suffocated. Wong became the first woman to be acts at various nightclubs in Singapore, and soon developed suicidal tendencies; The next victim was Ghazali bin sentenced to death in post-Independence Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. Tan she was later diagnosed as suffering from Marzuki, a Primary Four student and the Singapore. Wong and Sim were also the married Adrian on 11 June 1977, his first schizophrenia. Hoe also endured physical eldest in a family of three children. On 7 first couple in Singapore to be jointly wife having divorced him a year earlier. assaults from both Lim and Tan, including February 1981, his body was discovered executed for murder. Their relationship both before and after electric shock treatments. under a tree located between blocks 10 and The Mimi Wong murder case has marriage was an unhappy one, with Tan On 7 November 1980, Lim was 11 of Toa Payoh Lorong 7. He had died from been featured in three books on true having to endure frequent beatings, elec- accused of raping a part-time cosmetics drowning. This time, the police found drops Singapore crimes: Sisters in Crime (1992) tric shock treatments and the indignity of salesgirl and beautician, Lucy Lau Kok of blood leading to Lim’s seven-storey flat by journalist Sumiko Tan; Murder is My her husband’s promiscuity. Huat. He was arrested, only to be later in Block 12, with more blood discovered Business: Medical Investigations into Into this relationship entered a third released on bail. Furious at being called up inside the flat. Tests later confirmed that Crime (1999), a book co-written by the party: Hoe Kah Hong. She came from an for investigation by the police and asked to the blood was of human origin. late forensic pathologist, Chao Tze Cheng impoverished family and had been ill- report fortnightly to the Toa Payoh Police Inside the flat, the police found other and former journalist Audrey Perera; and treated by her own family while growing Station to extend his bail, Lim decided to incriminating evidence: pieces of paper Guilty as Charged: 25 Crimes That Have up. Hoe met Lim in 1979 while accompany- kill innocent children out of revenge. His with the children’s names and telephone Shaken Singapore Since 1965 (2015). ing her mother and sister for a consulta- motive (or so he claimed) was to confuse numbers, strands of hair, books on witch- The case was also featured in episode tion. Deluded by Lim’s lies that she was the police and divert their attention from craft, newspaper clippings of human two of True Files, which was shown on possessed by evil spirits, Hoe ended up the rape allegation. sacrifice, and bloodstained Hindu idols. Channel 5 on 30 April 2002. as one of his “holy” wives5 even though His first victim was Agnes Ng Siew Traces of blood (the same as Ghazali’s she was already married, and went to live Heok, a Primary Three student and the blood group) were also found on Lim’s by N. G. Kutty, were published within two included more than 20 counts of burglary, Adrian Lim: The Ritual Child Murders with Lim and Tan in their Toa Payoh flat. youngest in a family of nine children. shorts and handkerchief. The trio were months of the hanging. Two other books, two cases of resisting arrest and one count On 7 January 1980, Lim lured Hoe’s Her body was found in a luggage left on arrested on 7 February 1981 and taken I Confess, and the sequel, Was Adrian Lim of outrage of modesty. He had also been husband, Benson Low Ngak Hua, to his the ground floor lift landing at Block 11, to CID headquarters for questioning. Mad?, both by Sit Yin Fong, followed soon arrested twice for drug smuggling, in 1987 When: 25 January 1981 (Agnes' mur- flat and electrocuted him to death, casting Toa Payoh Lorong 7, on 25 January 1981. Under interrogation, Tan was the first to after. The story also merited inclusion and 1992, but had escaped while on parole der) and 6 February 1981 (Ghazali’s the blame on an evil spirit residing in Hoe. The autopsy report later revealed that confess, followed by Lim and Hoe. They in a 2013 book compilation of the most from prison. murder) were charged in court with the murders vicious murders in Singapore by Yeo Suan In October 1994, Scripps was wanted Crime scene: A seventh-storey flat in (Below) Crowds outside the High Court during Adrian Lim’s 42-day trial. All rights reserved, Kutty, N. of the two children within 24 hours of Futt titled Murder Most Foul: Strangled, for questioning after a dismembered body Block 12, Toa Payoh Lorong 7 G. (1989). Adrian Lim's Beastly Killings (p. 151). Singapore: Aequitas Management Consultants. (Call no.: their arrest. Poisoned and Dismembered in Singapore. of a male homosexual was found in a rub- The accused: Adrian Lim, aged 46; RCLOS 364.1523095957 KUT) Lim and Tan were also charged The case inspired two films: Medium bish bin in San Francisco. A month later, Catherine Tan Mui Choo, aged 32; (Bottom) Adrian Lim claimed to have murdered two innocent children, Agnes Ng Siew Heok and Ghazali with the murder of Hoe’s husband. The Rare and God or Dog. Loosely based on he became a murder suspect in Mexico Hoe Kah Hong, aged 33 bin Marzuki, out of revenge for being accused of raping cosmetics salesgirl Lucy Lau Kok Huat. It was a defence’s argument of diminished respon- the Adrian Lim ritual murders, Medium City when a British tourist, Tim McDowell, flimsy excuse that made no sense, and was thrown out in court.The Straits Times, 5 April 1983, p. 12. The victims: Agnes Ng Siew Heok, (Facing page) Adrian Lim’s Beastly Killings by N.G. Kutty and Unholy Trinity by Alan John were published sibility was rejected by both presiding Rare was Singapore's first full-length aged 28, was found dead. aged 9; Ghazali bin Marzuki, aged 10 within two months of the hangings of the murderers. All rights reserved, Aequitas Management Consul- judges, Justice Sinnathuray and Justice F. English-language film, and premiered Scripps arrived in Singapore on 8 tants, 1989 and Times Books International, 1989. A. Chua. At the end of a lengthy trial that in local theatres on 28 November 1991. March 1995 using a passport belong- began on 27 March 1983, the trio were A commercial flop, the movie received ing to a Simon James Davis. At Changi The Adrian Lim murder case is considered sentenced to death two months later on scathing reviews for its weak script, slow Airport, he met South African tourist one of Singapore’s most infamous and 25 May. Lim declined to appeal against pacing and unprofessional editing. God or George Gerard Lowe. Both agreed to abominable, involving three cold-blooded his sentencing. Tan’s and Hoe’s three Dog first premiered at the 1997 Singapore share a hotel room to save costs. Shortly killers, bizarre occult practices, blood separate appeals were dismissed as they International Film Festival before it was after checking into a room at River View sacrifices, sexual perversion, electric were deemed mentally sound at the time screened in local cinemas. The film was Hotel, Scripps clubbed Lowe over the head shock torture, consumption of human and of the killings. roundly criticised for its scenes of gratui- with a 1.5-kg hammer and within an hour, animal blood as well as the ritual killings All three were hanged at dawn on 25 tous sex and nudity. had dismembered his head, torso, arms, of two children. November 1988, and their bodies cremated thighs and legs in the bathtub. The body Adrian Lim was the eldest son from at Mount Vernon Crematorium. John Martin Scripps: The Body parts were tied up in trash bags, packed a middle-class family. A divorced father The shocking nature of the crime and Parts ­Murderer in Lowe’s suitcase and a smaller bag, and of two, he was a self-proclaimed medium the ensuing media reports saw hordes placed in the wardrobe. who had developed a deep interest in the of Singaporeans packing the courtroom, Scripps then went on a two-day shop- occult since his teenage years. Lim also beginning with the preliminary inquiry in ping spree using Lowe’s money and credit When: Between noon, 8 March and read extensively on Hinduism, Buddhism September 1981 and throughout the trial card. Prior to checking out of the hotel on 8 am, 9 March 1995 and Christianity. Over time, he became the held two years later in 1983. 11 March, Scripps dumped the contents of Crime scene: A room in River View consummate confidence trickster, preying On verdict day, the crowds spilled the suitcase into the Singapore River. The Hotel (now renamed Four Points by on desperate, emotionally troubled and over from the courtroom to the surround- contents of the other bag were also disposed Sheraton, Riverview) gullible women seeking help − in return ings of the Supreme Court, requiring the of before being abandoned at the Thomas The accused: John Martin Scripps, for money and sex. police to cordon off the area. Cheers rang Cook office in Anson Road. The bag was left aged 35 Catherine Tan Mui Choo, then 18 years out when the verdict was announced. The empty save for a bottle of Lynx deodorant The victim: Gerard George Lowe, old, was a bargirl working at Champagne trial, lasting a total of 41 days, was the used to cover up the smell of rotting flesh. aged 33 Bar in Anson Road when she met Lim. second longest in Singapore.6 He then flew to Bangkok on 11 March. Depressed over family problems, Tan had The Adrian Lim case received exten- On 13 March, a black plastic trash bag initially sought Lim’s help in reading her sive coverage in print, with four books on Born in England as John Martin Scripps, containing severed legs was found near fortune. They soon developed an intimate the subject. Publishers raced to be the first the Englishman legally changed his name Clifford Pier by a boatman. The torso and relationship, with Tan supporting her boy- to publish a book on the bizarre murders to John Martin when he was in his 20s. thighs were found three days later, also friend with her earnings from prostitution and two of them, Unholy Trinity by Alan Scripps had had many run-ins with the in plastic bags. The head and arms never and from her night job as a lounge hostess. John, and Adrian Lim’s Beastly Killings law as a teenager. His criminal resume surfaced. The torso and legs were positively

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maid Guen Garlejo Aguilar killed and Chia, P., Sam, J., & Hwang, T. F. (1965, May 19). Judge: Adrian Lim dismembered her best friend, 26-year- These links in the chain bind the accused tightly. The Adrian Lim book sets sales record. (1989, June 22). The old Jane Parangan La Puebla, over a Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. New Paper, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Chia, P., Sam, J., & Hwang, T. F. (1965, May 19). First of the Adrian Lim story to be basis of $1.7 m film. (1990, money dispute. The dismembered body 16 links: ‘A powerful motive…’ The Straits Times, p. 10. November 14). The Straits Times, p. 30. Retrieved from parts were subsequently dumped near Retrieved from NewspaperSG. NewspaperSG. the Orchard MRT station and at a bus Discharged man re-arrested on murder charge. (1964, Davidson, B. & Chua, M. (1983, April 5). I killed to get even stop along Lornie Road. December 31). The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from with the world. The Straits Times, p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. NewspaperSG. • The killing of two-year-old Nonoi in 2006 Hwang, T. F. (1965, March 5). Jenny: Move by Madam Yeo to But it’s one small step forward. (1991, November 30). The by her stepfather, Mohammed Ali Johari, presume her ‘dead’. The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. who had repeatedly dunked her in a pail from NewspaperSG. Chia, H. (1989, March 15). Murder. They wrote. The Straits of water to stop her from crying. Josey, A. (2009). Cold-blooded murders. Singapore: Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Marshall Cavendish Editions. (Call no.: RSING Goh, J. (1991, April 13). Singapore’s first English feature • The Yishun triple murder by a Chinese 345.595702523 JOS) film hits snags. The Straits Times, p. 22. Retrieved from national, who had savagely stabbed his Page 36 miscellaneous column 1. (2002, June 6). Today, p. NewspaperSG. lover, her daughter and their flatmate 36. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Goh, J. (1991, November 25). Medium Rare – high on local multiple times over money woes in 2008. She is dead and it was murder to get $400,000, jury told. colour, low on suspense. The Straits Times, p. 24. (1965, May 18). The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from Retrieved from NewspaperSG. To read up on these cases and others, NewspaperSG. Infocomm Media Development Authority. (2015, March). List Skin-dive bar girl: Murder probe now. (1963, September 6). of Singapore movies (1991–2016). Retrieved from Info- please refer to the books listed below at The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. communications Media Development Authority website. (Above left) The British national John Martin Scripps was hanged at Changi Prison on 19 April 1996, 408 days after killing Gerard Michael Lowe, a South African the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at Sunny Ang in the dock in Twin Sisters case. (1965, April 27). John, A. (2016). Unholy trinity: The Adrian Lim 'ritual' child tourist whom he met in Singapore. The Straits Times, 20 April 1996, p.25. the National Library Building and branches The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. killings. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions. (Call (Above rght) The John Martin Scripps murder case was documented in a book by crime reporter Tan Ooi Boon. All rights reserved, Tan, O. B. (1996). Body Parts: of public libraries. Sunny Ang was there when Cheok made out her will, no.: RSING 364.1523095957 JOH) A British Serial Killer in Singapore. Singapore: Times Books International. (Call no.: RSING 364.1523095957 TAN) says witness. (1965, April 28). The Straits Times, p. 9. Kerk, C. (1997, April 26). Adrian Lim revisited. The Business Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Times, p. 20. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Sunny found guilty, to hang. (1965, May 19). The Straits Kutty, N. G. (1989). Adrian Lim's beastly killings. Singapore: identified by Lowe’s wife and DNA tests charge of the prison butchery until he was • Lim Ban Lin’s killing of a police officer Times, p.1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Aequitas Management Consultants. (Call no.: RCLOS confirmed his identity. transferred to another prison. in 1968. He became the most wanted That flipper – by man flown from England. (1965, May 8). 364.1523095957 KUT) Police were aided in their investiga- In his defence, Scripps confessed criminal in Singapore and Malaysia, The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Sit, Y. F. (1989). I confess. Singapore: Heinemann Asia. (Call no.: RSING 364.1523095957 SIT) tions by a missing person report from that he had unintentionally killed Lowe and was gunned down in 1972. Notes Mimi Wong Sit, Y. F. (1989). Was Adrian Lim mad? Singapore: South Africa. Once Lowe’s identity was by bludgeoning his head with a hammer • The "tontine killing" in 1974 where a 1 Singapore. The statutes of the Republic of Singapore. Davidson, B. (1973, July 24). Sheares rejects Mimi’s plea Heinemann Asia. (Call no.: RSING 345.5957067 SIT) ascertained, the police were able to during a heated argument, but maintained 44-year-old housewife, Sim Joo Keow, (2008 Rev. ed.). Penal Code Act (Cap. 224, p. 124). for mercy. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from Tan, S. (1997, March 21). 3 homegrown films to be screened Singapore: [s.n.]. (Call no.: RCLOS 348.5957 SIN) trace Scripps’ activities between 8 and his claim to the end that a British friend killed and dismembered her 53-year-old NewspaperSG. commercially. The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from 2 Yong, C. (2016, December 9). Most S’poreans support Hwang, T. F. (1970, November 4). Nightclub waitress NewspaperSG. 11 March, using hotel and credit card had disposed of Lowe’s body. sister-in-law, Kwek Lee Eng, over money death penalty, but less so for certain cases: Survey. on murder trial collapses. The Straits Times, p. 15. Yeo, S. F. (2013). Murder most foul: Strangled, poisoned and transaction records. Traces of blood were At the end of the 17-day trial on 10 owed by the former. The dismembered The Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s Retrieved from NewspaperSG. dismembered in Singapore (pp. 115–126). Singapore: also found on the wall tiles, the door and November 1995, Scripps was pronounced body parts were uncovered in three eResources website. Hwang, T. F. (1970, December 8). Death for Mimi and her Marshall Cavendish Editions. (Call no.: RSING on the underside of the toilet bowl in the guilty of murdering and dismembering locations: in a disused toilet at Aljunied 3 Singapore Police Force. (2016, September). Annual crime husband. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from 364.1523095957 YEO) brief 2015. (pp. 1, 5). Retrieved from Singapore Police bathroom of the room where the murder Lowe, and sentenced to death. Road, along the banks of the Kallang NewspaperSG. Force website; Singapore Police Force. (2015). Singapore Hwang, T. F. (1972, July 23). Appeal of Mimi Wong and her John Martin Scripps took place. He filed an appeal against his con- River, and in Sim’s house in Jalan Besar. Police Force Annual 2015 (pp. 83–84). Retrieved from husband (both under death sentence) is dismissed. The Body in bag picked up from sea off Clifford Pier. (1995, April Meanwhile, between 19 and 24 March, viction on 13 November but gave up his • The slaughter of the four children from Singapore Police Force website; Nokman, F. S. (2016, Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 2). The Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. the dismembered body parts of Canadian right to appeal on 8 January 1996. He the Tan family in 1979, all of whom were December 20). Crime index goes down, but perception Elengovan. (1970, November 7). ‘She cried out to me she Body parts: Anatomy of a killing. (1995, November 12). The of safety remains low. Retrieved from New Straits Times tourists, school teacher Sheila Damud and also declined to file a clemency plea with under the age of 10. Dubbed the Gey- wanted to die’. The Singapore Herald, p. 13. Retrieved Straits Times, p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. website; United States crime rates 1960 - 2015. (2015). from NewspaperSG. Grisly finds near the pier. (1995, April 5).The New Paper, p. her son Darin, were discovered in Phuket. then President Ong Teng Cheong. On 15 lang Bahru murder, the case remains Retrieved from Disaster Center website. ‘I heard Mother screaming in pain’. (1970, November 6). The 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. They had checked in at the same hotel in April 1996, Scripps’ date of execution was unsolved to this day. 4 Chia, P., & Sam, J. (1965, May 18). Jury told: Dismiss this Singapore Herald, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Guilty as charged: John Martin Scripps befriended tourists, Phuket as Scripps did on 15 March. Scripps announced by the British Foreign Office • The 1983 Andrew Road murders com- fallacy completely from your minds. The Straits Times, Latest. (1973, March 16). The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved then butchered them. (2016, May 16). The Straits Times. was arrested at Changi Airport on 19 March – he was the first Briton to be convicted mitted by Sek Kim Wah, who had killed p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. from NewspaperSG. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website. 5 In court, Adrian revealed that he had up to as many as when he returned to Singapore. On 24 of murder and sentenced to death in Sin- five people during robbery attempts. Mimi and husband go to the gallows. (1973, July 28). The Lim, Y. (1995, March 30). Second time on the run. The New 40 “holy wives” whom he had married in front of the Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Paper, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. March he was charged with the murder gapore − and he was hanged at Changi • The 1984 "curry murder" where Aya- altar at his flat, with the altar idols as the only witnesses Mimi struck Mrs. W with ‘glimmering object’ says husband. Martin files appeal against conviction. (1995, November 17). of Gerard George Lowe. Prison at 6 am on 19 April 1996. kanno Marimuthu, 38, was clubbed to the matrimonial ceremony. (1970, November 27). The Straits Times, p. 19. Retrieved The Straits Times, p. 41. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. During Scripps’ arrest, knives, a The police took just 11 days to solve to death, chopped up, cooked in curry 6 The 62-day Pulau Senang trial in 1963 holds the record from NewspaperSG. Miller, B. (1995, November 11). Martin’s last ‘Hello’ then off for being the longest trial in Singapore. Eighteen among hammer, an electrical stun device, hand- the case from the date of Lowe’s murder. and dumped in roadside dustbins. His ‘Mimi was of sound mind on day of killing’. (1970, to date with death. The New Paper, p. 12. Retrieved from the 59 criminals charged were convicted of rioting December 3). The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. cuffs and six passports were found in his The murder case was documented alleged murderers were his wife and her and arson at the experimental island penal colony and NewspaperSG. Tan, O. B. (1996, March 10). ‘Body parts’ murderer will not possession – Lowe’s, one with the name in the book Body Parts: A British Serial relatives. All six suspects were charged sentenced to be hanged. Mimi Wong’s execution was a grim ‘first’. (1979, petition for presidential pardon. The Straits Times, p. “John Martin”, two bearing the name Killer in Singapore (1996). Written by Tan with murder in March 1987, but were 7 Yaw, Y. C. (1995, October 4). ‘This is a perfect instrument December 23). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from 29. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. “Simon James Davis” and the two belong- Ooi Boon, the crime reporter with The later given a discharge not amounting for deboning’. The New Paper, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Tan, O. B. (1995, March 30). Accused in South African NewspaperSG. ing to the Canadian tourists in Phuket. Straits Times who first uncovered Scripps’ to an acquittal due to lack of evidence. Mimi’s hubby refused leave to appeal. (1973, February 2). murder case jailed for drug possession in London. The New Nation, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. The two flick knives with jagged edges, shocking murders in March 1995, the book • The killing and dismemberment of References Page 15 Miscellaneous Column 1. (2002, April 30). The Tan, O. B. (1995, October 5). Martin: I hit Lowe, but friend according to senior forensic pathologist, delves into the psyche of the monster who 22-year-old Chinese national Liu Hong Campbell, J. H., & DeNevi, D. (2004). Profilers: Leading Straits Times, p. 15. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. disposed of body. The Straits Times, p. 37. Retrieved Chao Tzee Cheng, and experienced prison had cold-bloodedly killed and dismem- Mei by her 50 year-old married lover investigators take you inside the criminal mind. Amherst, Seah, L. (2002, May 6). Chilling, but little bite. The Straits from NewspaperSG. butcher, James Quigley, were “sufficient bered his victims. and supervisor, Leong Siew Chor, to N.Y.: Prometheus Books. (Call no.: R 363.25 PRO) Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Tan, O. B. (1996, April 20). Martin hanged, leaving behind Holmes, R. M., & Holmes, S. T. (1996). Profiling violent 7 Singh, P. (1978, February 26). The quadrangle of love – and death. mystery over another ‘victim’. The Straits Times, p. 25. to dismember Mr Lowe’s body”. The hide the theft of an ATM card. The 2005 crimes: An investigative tool. Thousand Oaks: Sage The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. personal belongings of the Canadians and Other Notable Murder Cases murder came to light when parts of her Publications. (Call no.: R 363.25 HOL) Chao, T. Z. (1990, September 5). Solving bathroom murder. Wanted in 3 continents…. (1995, March 30). The New Paper, Lowe were also recovered. body surfaced at the Kallang River. The Stone, M. (2009). The anatomy of evil. Amherst, N.Y.: The New Paper, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. During the court trial, it was revealed Many more murders exist in Singapore’s crime became known as the Kallang Prometheus Books. (Call no.: R 364.3 STO) Star witness Chieko proved the killing: Seow. (1970, December What his mum says. (1995, November 13). The New Paper, that Scripps had learned butchering skills crime annals beyond the four mur- body parts murder. 8). The Straits Times, p. 17. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Sunny Ang Wee, B. H., & Mohan, B. (1973, July 27). Mimi Wong and Who is John Martin? (1995, November 12). The Straits while serving out a six-year prison sen- ders highlighted in this article. Some of • The 2005 Orchard Road body parts Bargirl’s last dive – boatman. (1965, May 6). The Straits husband hanged. New Nation, p. 1. Retrieved from Times, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. tence for drug trafficking, and was put in these include: murder in which 29-year-old Filipino Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. NewspaperSG.

22 23 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

Anthropologist, architectural historian and pioneers of the Modernist architectural his concept of the Maison Dom-ino (see former Lee Kong Chian Research Fellow, movement (see text box below). photo below). This was an open-plan design Dr Julian Davison is currently writing a Modernism, as an architectural move- comprising precast concrete floor slabs history of Singapore’s oldest architectural ment, was a long time coming to Britain supported by thin concrete columns with practice, Swan & Maclaren, whose origins go and did not properly take off in the country a stairway located at one of end to provide back to the late 1880s. The book is scheduled until around 1930. This was a very differ- access from one floor to another. Initially to be published in the last quarter of 2017. ent situation compared with Continental intended as a quick-fix solution to provide Europe where World War I acted as a posi- mass housing for people displaced by the tive stimulus to the advance of Modernism. war, the Dom-ino concept became one of Swan & Maclaren, the oldest architectural In Amsterdam, for example, we see the essential building blocks of Modernist practice in Singapore, is a name that is the manifestation of Modernism in the architecture. swan synonymous with many of the city’s heri- founding of the Dutch artistic movement De In England, however, the post-World & tage buildings. Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Stijl in 1917, followed by the Bauhaus school War I mood was more conservative, with Park, the Victoria Memorial Hall and The- of art in Weimar Germany in 1919. In France, most public architecture in the years s immediately following the war reverting to atre, Chased-El Synagogue and Tanjong witnessing the devastation of Flanders in Pagar Railway Station are just some of 1914 would lead Le Corbusier, who would some form of prewar Classicism – either maclaren the instantly recognisable architectural become one of the leading proponents of an update of Edwardian Baroque or else PIONEERS OF MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE landmarks designed by the firm whose Modernist architecture, to come up with neo-Georgian revivalism. Art Deco didn’t origins date back more than a century. It was in 1887 when Archibald Swan and Alfred Lermit started Swan & Lermit, Supposedly freed from the spurious modernist architecture a civil engineering company, in the British distractions of stylistic convention, colony. Lermit left in 1890, and Swan con- Modern architecture as a school of ar- Modernism was a new architecture for Singapore’s oldest architectural firm may be better known for tinued on his own for a while before forming chitecture (as opposed to a building that a new age. To what extent it fulfilled its designing the Raffles Hotel but it’s their 1930s Modernist buildings a new partnership with fellow Scotsman is merely contemporary), describes a lofty ambitions, academics will argue, J.W.B. Maclaren in 1892 under the name new architectural style that emerged in is a moot point, but whichever way one that are truly revolutionary. Julian Davison has the details. Swan & Maclaren. Successful from the many Western countries in the decade sees it, there is no doubt that Modern- outset, it became the island’s pre-eminent following World War I. ism as an architectural practice was architectural practice when Regent Alfred Modernist architecture was based just about as far removed from the John Bidwell, a professionally trained on use of the latest construction tech- archetypal image of colonial archi- architect, joined the firm three years later, nology and building materials – rein- tecture, with its Doric columns and winning several prestigious commissions forced concrete, and steel and glass pedimented porticoes, as one can get. in rapid succession. – applied according to the principles But it wasn’t always porticoes, pedi- of a rational or functionalist theory A drawing showing the structural skeleton of ments and Corinthian columns with Swan & of design, enshrined in the maxim the Maison Dom-ino by Le Corbusier (1886- Maclaren, at least not in the years leading “form follows function”. Central to 1965), France’s leading proponent of Modernist up to World War II and in the immediate the Modernist ethos was the rejection architecture. This open-plan design of precast post-war period. Moving away from the of historical precedent and an abhor- concrete floor slabs supported by concrete Classical Renaissance style favoured by rence of ornamentation – a “crime” columns with a stairway located at one of end to provide access from one floor to another Bidwell (who had left the firm in 1911), Swan according to Adolf Loos, an influential became one of the essential building blocks of & Maclaren became agents of change, Czech architect from the late 19th cen- Modernist architecture. Courtesy of Wikimedia radical revolutionaries who embraced the tury and a proponent of the Modernist Commons. Modernist movement with passion. Work- architectural movement.1 ing with reinforced concrete, the newest Rigorously applied, these func- breakthrough in building material, the firm tionalist principles tended to result in a introduced a new style of architecture in style of architecture that was typically 1920s Singapore. rectangular in plan, sheer-sided, with sharp corners and a flat roof. In other A New Chapter in Local Architecture words, it was rather box-like, which led to it sometimes being described As we pause to reflect on the past archi- as “Cubist” architecture, playing on tectural glories of Swan & Maclaren in a perceived resemblance to paintings Notes 2017 – as the firm commemorates its 125th by contemporary artists like Pablo 1 The phrase came from Adolf Loos’ essay, “Ornament and Crime”, written in 1908. year of its founding in Singapore – it is also Picasso and George Braques, who led 2 The term International Style is derived from the title timely to look at the less celebrated, less the avant-garde art movement of the of a book by Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip well known aspect of the Swan & Maclaren same name. Johnson, which was written to accompany the story: its place in Singapore’s history as This new architectural approach International Exhibition of Modern Architecture held was also known as the International at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1932. The book identifies the various characteristic 2 Style, not least because wherever one elements common to Modernist architecture around The Sime Darby godown photographed in 1974. encountered Modernist architecture, the world. See Hitchcock, H., & Johnson, P. (1996). With its curved end elevation, C.J. Stephen’s whether it was in Europe, the Americas, The international style. New York: W. W. Norton. godown was a distant echo of Harry Robinson’s St Italian East Africa or Tel Aviv in Israel, (Call no.: RART 724.6 HIT). The term had previously Andrew’s Mission Hospital in 1922. Photograph by been used by Water Gropius, and in a similar context, Marjorie Doggett, Characters of Light, courtesy it all looked remarkably the same. in his 1925 publication Internationale Architektur. of National Archives of Singapore.

24 25 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature really catch on in the country until the late St Andrew’s Mission Hospital at Erskine Hill, photographed in 1938. Designed in 1922 by Harry Robinson essay in Modern architecture that answered The building that truly kicked off Within this house of steel, the floors… 1920s and only then in a relatively minor and of Swan & Maclaren, the three-storey concrete frame building provided accommodation for 50 in-patients perfectly to Le Corbusier’s Purist ethic. Swan & Maclaren’s return to Modernism are of reinforced concrete, resting circumspect way, being employed mainly with additional quarters for the European and Asian staff on the top floor. The flat roof afforded recreational Perhaps it was simply a case of economics were the new premises for the Straits above the steel beams, and each for cinemas, hotels and ritzy department space for both staff and patients. Courtesy of St Andrew’s Mission Hospital. – there just wasn’t the money to spend on Times Press on Cecil Street in 1932, the slab is designed to carry machinery stores, while Modernism didn’t get a look-in superfluous adornment – but even by the plans drawn up by Doucham Slobodov at any point. They are finished in hard at all. If Continental Europe’s reaction to the European standards of the day, Robinson’s Petrovitch, best known for designing the white cement-granolithic giving a carnage of World War I was to start anew, hospital looked pretty cutting edge. Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. Here he permanent and hard wearing surface. a kind of tabula rasa mentality or “starting The hospital was well received in abandoned his Nordic Deco style for an Wide staircases are also in reinforced from zero” as Walter Gropius famously the press, though one suspects that the out-and-out Modernist building in the concrete, similarly finished.7 put it,1 in Britain it was the exact opposite, severity of the architecture startled some. Bauhaus tradition. This meant austere, a desire to embrace the certainties and The correspondent of the Singapore Free unadorned façades with a lot of metal- The building also took into considera- comforts of an idealised, romanticised past. Press, for instance, thought the building framed windows arranged in horizontal tion the tropical climate and was designed Here in Singapore, much the same “gaunt”, but recognised that: bands − very much the new aesthetic of to be naturally cool, “since Crittall’s steel situation prevailed. The architecture of the the Modern movement. windows provide the maximum amount of post-World War I era witnessed a major “The completed structure has for its A complete and detailed description light and air.” More generally it had “an rebuilding of downtown Singapore, with hallmark the severity of the science of the building was provided in The Straits air of severe efficiency”. “All ornament the erection of a dozen or more brand new of healing. It might not, perhaps, be Times of 10 October 1933, the newspaper and mouldings were omitted”, The Straits office blocks, corporate headquarters and called from an architectural point evidently very proud of its new premises: Times informed its readers, adding that bank buildings in and around Raffles Place of view a thing of beauty, but if we and along Collyer Quay. At the same time, accept Ruskin’s view that beauty The Straits Times announcing the completion of its new building on Cecil Street in 1933. Designed by the government invested heavily in the and usefulness should always be Doucham Petrovitch, it marked Swan & Maclaren's return to Modernism after its first foray with the St construction of new public buildings: the combined, then we can say that the Andrew's Mission Hospital a decade earlier. The Straits Times, 10 October 1933, p. 17. Singapore General Hospital and College building which stands boldly out in… of Medicine Building in 1926; the Fullerton unbeautiful surroundings, will make Building (which housed the General Post a record on its own merits.”6 Office, today the Fullerton Hotel) in 1928; the Municipal Building (later renamed City St Andrew’s Mission Hospital was Hall and now repurposed as the National its completion in 1929, was precisely what Bishop of Singapore. Other dispensaries a landmark building for both Swan & Gallery) in 1929; and a new home for the people thought a modern civic building followed, with an eight-bed ward for more Maclaren and the history of Singapore office of the Chinese Protectorate (today’s should look like. serious cases attached to the Chinatown architecture – arguably the first Modernist Family Justice Courts) in 1931. This preference for Classically influ- dispensary in 1915 (the latter was subse- building on record. That said, it would take In the 10 years following the end enced buildings was largely because the quently relocated to River Valley Road). almost 10 years before Robinson’s succes- of World War I in Europe, the urban general public was not very receptive to A training programme for nurses and sors at Swan & Maclaren would return to landscape of Singapore was radically the “new architecture” of the early Mod- midwives was established the following a full-fledged Modernist agenda. transformed, forging an architectural ernists – it was just too different to the year and, by 1918, the mission was able to identity for the city that was in step with untrained eye. “Modern German dwelling consider a more ambitious undertaking, A Brief Diversion… then Modernism Takes Off other major global financial centres of the houses look like the products of a cubist namely a purpose-built hospital. time – these were buildings that would or futurist nightmare”, declared the edi- A plot of land on the slopes of Mount In the intervening years, Swan & Ma- not have looked out of place in London, tor of The Straits Times in June 1929.3 Erskine was obtained from the colonial claren’s architects experimented with a Manhattan or Shanghai. The point to make “Although they are obviously designed to government on very favourable terms in range of styles. There were more build- here, however, is that each and every one act as sun-traps, there is no architectural 1921; the site was ideal because it was ings in the Modern Classical vein, notably of these new constructions came with a merit in the utilitarian purpose. They are close to the heart of Chinatown, where the Chinese High School on Bukit Timah Classical pedigree. Anyone looking at odd, uncouth, apparently unfinished. The many of the mission’s poorest patients Road (1923); a bit of Neo-Georgian – Meyer these new, post-World War I edifices would average child can construct something lived. The foundation stone, which was Chambers in Raffles Place (1929); and even have been immediately aware that they aesthetically more pleasing with a Mec- laid by Mrs Lee Choon Guan, in October some forays into Art Deco, most famously were contemporary buildings by virtue of cano set.”4 the following year, was inscribed with the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (1929), and their size, scale and relative proportions. words: “To the Glory of God and for the also the Malayan Motors showroom on 5 This was clearly not a case of Victorian An Early Brush with Modernism relief of the suffering”. Orchard Road (1925), with its starburst revivalism in which architects tried to The plans drawn up by Robinson in façade reminiscent of Eliel Saarinen’s recreate the architecture of the past, but All this makes Singapore’s first Modernist 1922 were for a building of astonishing Helsinki railway station, and the Majestic rather a new kind of Classicism for the building all the more surprising – a hos- modernity, given the date and the fact that Theatre on Eu Tong Sen Street (1926). 20th century. pital for the St Andrew’s Medical Mission this was Singapore and not Continental Swan & Maclaren partners, Denis These were monumental buildings at Erskine Hill, which dates from 1922, no Europe. That St Andrew’s Mission Hospital Santry and Frank Brewer, also experi- whose proportions owed nothing to Vitru- less. Even more extraordinary, perhaps, was exactly contemporaneous with the mented with the so-called Chinese Renais- vius2 and everything to modern building is the fact that it was designed by Swan Hongkong & Shanghai Bank and Union sance style – the Telok Ayer Chinese materials and construction techniques – & Maclaren’s Harry Robinson, a surveyor buildings along Collyer Quay only under- Methodist Church (1924) and new premises reinforced concrete, steel frames, plate by training and someone who was better lined the originality of its design. While for Anglo Chinese School (1924) in Cairn- glass and artificial stone. They were char- known as Singapore’s leading land asses- the latter two edifices were decked out in hill respectively, while Frank Lundon, the acterised by a massive base and gigantic sor than for his avant-garde architecture. the full pomp and circumstance of Swan other senior partner at the firm, dabbled in colonnades, whose columns rose through St Andrew’s Medical Mission was & Maclaren’s postwar corporate Baroque a bit of this and that. Modernism, however, two or more storeys, with an equally out- founded in Singapore in 1913 with the open- style, complete with rusticated basements, did not surface on the Swan & Maclaren sized cornice and parapet to match. The ing of a dispensary on Bencoolen Street by Ionic colonnades and swags, there were no agenda again until 1932, a full 10 years Municipal Building, for example, has all of Dr Charlotte E. Ferguson Davie, wife of the such fripperies in Robinson’s plan for the after Harry Robinson’s groundbreaking these qualities in spades and at the time of Right Reverend Charles Ferguson Davie, hospital. This was a stark, uncompromising St Andrew’s Mission Hospital.

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“it is after all, a building specially adapted admitting the maximum light, but was next door to the Nunes Building, the function, a Brutalist composition avant la (Below) Doucham Petrovitch’s architectural plan of the broadcasting station for the British Malaya for pounding printing presses where utility through the use of special glass the two office blocks going up on site at the lettre, the most attractive feature being the Broadcasting Corporation on Caldecott Hill, 1936. Swan & Maclaren Collection, courtesy of National and strength are the two main essentials”. dangerous rays and heat of the sun same time, even though the Elias Building roof-top terrace, which given the hilltop Archives of Singapore. Gleaming white throughout its inte- are effectively held at bay.”9 was commissioned a year later. The style location offered panoramic vistas across (Bottom) A composite image of architectural drawings from Swan & Maclaren showing the front eleva- riors, the building had a viridian hue was very similar to that of the Nunes and the surrounding countryside, including tions of (from clockwise): the J. A. Elias Building (1936) on Malacca Street by Doucham Petrovitch; Asia on the outside due to the use of green The facades of both buildings were Medeiros buildings, with a more or less “one of the most beautiful views on the House (1935), the new premises for the Asia Insurance Company on Robinson Road, by Frank Lundon; and a private house in Holland Park (1934) for Messrs Credit Foncier D’Extreme Orient, by Doucham Albertone cement, a kind of granolithic characterised by a strong horizontal ele- sheer façade relieved by a cantilevered island of Singapore, overlooking the wood- Petrovitch. The year indicated here refers to the time when all these buildings were commissioned. Swan “Shanghai” plaster. Pleasing in every ment, achieved by bands of metal-framed canopy roof over the entrance. The external fringed [MacRitchie] reservoir.”11 & Maclaren Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. respect and Singapore’s most modern windows shaded by a continuous reinforced finishes were rendered in white granolithic, But it wasn’t all corporate and com- building to date, the Straits Times Press concrete canopy – this was what every again courtesy of Studio Nolli, with hori- mercial stuff. Petrovitch was equally adept premises were “a monument to the stabil- Modernist architect aspired to – but in zontal bands of the metal-framed windows. at turning out bijou Modernist villas when ity of the Press of which British Malaya this instance, the severity of the facade This was to be Swan & Maclaren’s default required, like the house he designed for the may be proud”, the newspaper reported. was relieved somewhat by a series of corporate house style for the remainder French construction company and prop- Petrovitch followed up the Straits decorative panels beneath the windows of the 1930s. erty developer, Credit Foncier D’Extreme Times building with two more Modernist over the main entrance to each building. At the same time Petrovitch was Orient, at Holland Park in 1934. With its office blocks in the Central Business Dis- Designed by Cavalieri Rudolfo Nolli, Singa- designing the J.A. Elias Building – nick- flat roofs, cantilevered canopies, ship’s trict in 1935. They were the Nunes Build- pore’s resident Italian sculptor, the ornate named the Amber Building because of the railings and horizontal bands of steel- ing at Malacca Street, and the Medeiros panels symbolised various aspects of the amber-coloured marble used on the floor framed fenestration, this was just about Building at Cecil Street. Both were com- modern Singaporean economy: commerce, and walls of the entrance lobby – he was as radical a departure from the typical missioned by Swan & Maclaren’s long-time agriculture, shipping, construction and the also working on one of his most significant 1930s Singaporean bungalow as one client, the Portuguese Mission who, in its other industries. commissions in Singapore, the studio could imagine. It might not have looked early days, had wisely bought up much Nolli was also responsible for the complex for the newly constituted British very pretty, but there was no doubting its valuable real estate near the town centre. external finishes to the buildings, which Malaya Broadcasting Corporation on Cal- Modernist credentials. Completed in 1937, both buildings received were finished with “bush hammered decott Hill. This was his most austere work considerable attention in the press, with granolithic facing and white cement from to date – a long, low building, just a single The Work of Frank Lundon The Straits Times devoting a four-page the yard of Cav. R. Nolli”. “The increasing storey in elevation save for a central stair supplement to them in October that year: popularity of bush hammered granolithic tower, which stuck up at the rear, providing Nor was Petrovitch the only Swan & Ma- “Modern Continental cubist design… seen facings for buildings in Singapore”, The access to an extensive roof terrace. claren architect to turn to Modernism in at its best,” praised the writer.8 Straits Times noted, “is an indication of the The central core of the building the 1930s. Even before Petrovitch had For the Nunes Building, The Straits extreme durability of this material under housed offices, reception rooms and a started working on his two office blocks Times noted that: tropical conditions”, adding that “the mate- records library, to which was attached a for the Portuguese Mission, senior part- rial has the advantage of not discolouring windowless, bunker-like wing at either ner Frank Lundon was on a very similar “Reinforced concrete is the material as it is composed of natural colours – local end. One wing was dedicated to the trajectory when he was asked to design used – very little wood has been granite and white cement”.10 mechanics of broadcasting – transmitter new office premises for the Asia Insurance employed in the construction, The Nunes and Medeiros buildings room, machine room, air-conditioning Company at Robinson Road. Lundon’s Asia reducing to the minimum the risk were followed by another office block at plant and workshop – while the other was House was completed in September 1936. of fire and ensuring cleanliness with Malacca Street, this time for the promi- devoted entirely to studio space. This was Lundon was also responsible for a the minimum of labour. The office nent Jewish businessman, cinema owner a fairly uncompromising expression of the number Modernist bungalows and vil- accommodation is large and airy, and newspaper proprietor, Joe Elias. This Modernist edict that form should follow las of the concrete box variety. It seems he was inspired by an extended tour he made of Britain, Germany and Holland (Far left & left) The Nunes Building (left) and the Medeiros Building (right), photographed by the late while on leave in 1936, undertaken with Lee Kip Lin in 1982 and 1984 respectively. From the the express intent of studying “the lat- Lee Kip Lin Collection. Lee Kip Lin and National est architectural developments” on the Library Board, Singapore, 2009. Continent. In an interview with The Straits (Below) Surviving decorative panel by Cavalieri Rudolfo Nolli from the Nunes Building. Courtesy Times on his return, Lundon said he “was of the National Museum of Singapore, National most impressed by the quality of modern Heritage Board. architectural design in Holland, particularly of houses and flats”.12 Clearly, Lundon was looking at the work of artists and architects closely associated with the De Stijl movement, such as J.J.P. Oud, Theo van Doesburg and Gerrit Rietveld, if the house he designed for Messrs Fogden Brisbane & Co. at Kheam Hock Road in 1936 is anything to go by.

The Work of C.J. Stephen and C.Y. Koh And then there was C.J. Stephen, a some- what shadowy figure since very little is known about his personal life and professional background compared with his Swan & Maclaren contemporaries,

28 29 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

Lundon and Petrovitch. A partner since was owned by the prominent Parsi busi- era. Like Petrovitch, Koh had studied at were style leaders, clearly at the forefront 1935, Stephen’s best known work prior to nessman and philanthropist, Navroji Mistri the Architectural Association in London of the Modernist movement of architecture his Modernist phase was the Cold Storage (1885–1935) who had made his fortune in and was an Associate member (later Fel- in Singapore and instrumental in preparing flagship supermarket on Orchard Road, the fizzy drinks business – “There’s Joy low) of the prestigious Royal Institute of the way for the shape of things to come. which evoked a kind of pared down Clas- in Every Glass” was the company slogan. British Architects. sicism that was only one step removed This was another austere building in On his return to Singapore in 1938, Notes from ditching the whole Classical school the Bauhaus tradition with more bands of Koh joined Swan & Maclaren and in the 1 Wolfe, T. (1983). From Bauhaus to our House. London: Abacus. (Call no.: RART 720.973 WOL) of design altogether. metal-framed windows emphasising the final months before the outbreak of World 2 Marcus Vitruvius Pollio is the first century BC Roman Three years later, Stephen came horizontal aesthetic that was central to War II in December 1941, he designed what architect, engineer and author whose multi-volume up with a new godown for Messrs Sime, the Modernist movement. In this instance, is without doubt one of the finest pre-war architectural treatise, De architectura, is the only Darby & Co. along Robertson Quay, which the severity of the elevation was relieved buildings still extant in Singapore – a contemporary work on Roman architecture that has was about as Modern in sensibility as one by a tower reminiscent of contemporary beautiful Modernist gem, greatly admired survived from ancient times. 3 The new architecture. (1929, June 10). The Straits could get. Likewise, a second godown for industrial buildings on the Great West to this day – the Water Boat Office on Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Messrs Guthrie and Co. was constructed Road leading out of London – the so-called ­Fullerton Road for Messrs. W. Hammer & 4 Meccano is the brand name of a model construction the following year at North Boat Quay, on “Golden Mile” – famous for its eclectic Co. (Although the building wasn’t erected kit, comprising re-usable metal strips, plates, angle- the site now occupied by Parliament House. mix of Art Deco and early Modernist until after the war, it can be considered girders, axels, wheels, gears and so forth, which can be connected together using washers, nuts and bolts. The last building on record for Ste- architecture. prewar on account of the fact that it had Invented in 1901, Meccano is still manufactured today phen before the outbreak of World War II Last but not least is Koh Cheng Yam, been designed before the war – the build- in France and China, but probably reached the height was a soft drinks manufactory and bottling better known as C.Y. Koh, Swan & Maclar- ing went out to tender in June 1941.) of its popularity between the two world wars, when it plant at Mount Palmer for the Phoenix Aer- en’s first local architectural assistant who Hammer & Co. had been around since provided an invaluable introduction to the principles of ated Water Works in 1939. The company later led the firm in the post-World War II the turn of the 20th century, supplying mechanics and engineering for boys. 5 St. Andrew’s Hospital. (1923, May 21). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Mrs Lee was the wife of business (Below) A composite image of architectural drawings from the Swan & Maclaren architect C.J. Stephen showing (from left): the front elevations of the godown tycoon and prominent Straits Chinese leader, Lee for Messrs Sime, Darby &. Co. (1937) at Robertson Quay; and the Phoenix Aerated Water Works (1939) for N.R Mistri Esq. at Mount Palmer. The owner of the ships in the harbour with fresh water. Its Koh had never designed another building Choon Guan (1868–1924). latter, Navroji Mistri was as generous as he was wealthy; the Mistri Wing of the General Hospital and Mistri Road were named after him. Swan & Maclaren 6 St. Andrew’s Hospital. (1923, May 21). The Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. new flagship three-storey building com- in his life, he would always be remembered Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, (Facing page) The Water Boat Office photographed in 1952. Although designed by C.Y. Koh in mid-1941, the war intervened and the Water Boat Office was not prised a lobby and reception area, offices, for his Water Boat Office. p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. completed until 1948. Courtesy of National Heritage Board. a lounge and dining room, stores, and a Harry Robinson, Frank Lundon, Dou- 7 The Straits Times new press building. (1933, marvellous roof-top terrace with splendid cham Petrovitch, C.J. Stephen, and C.Y. October 10). The Straits Times, p. 17. Retrieved views across the Inner Harbour and the Koh. Some of the names are still familiar from NewspaperSG. 8 Portuguese Mission’s investment in new buildings. sea beyond. Naturally, a strong nautical to us, while the others have slipped over the (1937, October 5). The Straits Times supplement, p. theme is evident in the external detailing of horizon of history, but these were the men 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. the structure, with portholes and railings from Swan & Maclaren who collectively 9 Modern continental design of new offices. (1937, and a lantern over the stairs leading up to effected a quiet revolution in Singaporean October 5). The Straits Times supplement, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. the roof terrace, which from some angles architecture in the 1930s, notwithstanding 10 Materials used in constructing Nunes and resemble a ship’s bridge and from others the fact that only two buildings from that Medeiros. (1937, October 5). The Straits Times like the conning tower of a submarine. era are still around today – St Andrew’s supplement, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. The exterior was rendered in artificial Mission Hospital and the Water Boat Office. 11 Malayan B.B.C.’s building on hill off Thomson stone – coloured an appropriate shade of Post-war, everything was different Road. (1936, May 31). The Straits Times, p. 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. battleship grey – with terrazzo floors and and Modernism hardly raised an eyebrow, 12 Bought autogiro. (1936, October 3). The Straits panelling for the main reception area. If but before World War II, Swan & Maclaren Times, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

the modernist buildings and their architects

Building st andrew’s mission straits times press house for messrs asia house for the nunes building for medeiros building j.a. elias (amber) british malaya house for messrs godown for messrs godown for messrs phoenix aerated water boat office hospital building credit foncier asia insurance the portuguese for the portuguese building broadcasting fogden, brisbane sime, darby & co. guthrie & co. water works for for messrs w. d’extreme orient company mission mission corporation studio & co. navroji mistri hammer & co. Year* 1922 1932 1934 1935 1935 1935 1936 1936 1936 1937 1938 1939 1941 Address Erskine Hill Cecil Street Holland Park Robinson Road Malacca Street Cecil Street Malacca Street Caldecott Hill Kheam Hock Robertson Quay North Boat Quay Mount Palmer Fullerton Road Road Architect Harry Robinson Doucham Doucham Frank Lundon Doucham Doucham Doucham Doucham Frank Lundon C.J. Stephen C.J. Stephen C.J. Stephen C.Y. Koh Petrovitch Petrovitch Petrovitch Petrovitch Petrovitch Petrovitch Status Extant Demolished Demolished Demolished Demolished Demolished Demolished Demolished Demolished Demolished Demolished Demolished Extant * The date refers to the year that the building was commissioned.

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at Centrepoint quadrupling its shelf space Science Fiction Film festival.10 In the same “science fiction ought to be received and for sci-fi and fantasy titles between 1984 year, Brian Aldiss, the acclaimed British read as literature” by literary critics.15 In and 1988. Sci-fi maintained its presence in sci-fi writer was invited to give a public 1982, he urged the authorities to introduce Singapore with the release of two sequels lecture on “The Future of the Book” and science fiction into the school curriculum, to Star Wars in 1980 and 1983 respectively met local writers during a public forum on because “through the reading of science and other box-office successes like E.T. “The Writer and His Times”.11 He also wrote fiction, people can have an imaginative the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Blade Runner the foreword to Singapore Science Fiction, and emotional grasp of the kind of things (1982) and Star Trek IV (1986). In 1988, MPH an anthology of the winning entries from that the world of tomorrow will usher in.”16 reported that “more than 20,000 books the 1979 sci-fi short story competition.12 based on the three Star Wars movies” were The winning entries included dys- Singaporean Sci-Fi Works sold in the past 10 years, making these books topian futures, issues of morality and its “all-time science fiction bestsellers”.6 philosophical musings on what constitute Short Stories With sci-fi becoming a major part humanity. “Grape Shot”, for instance, is Aside from writing competitions, there of the Singaporean literary diet, the about a computer technician who finds out were also local writers who published Sci fi Singapore Science Centre organised an that his computer is surreptitiously storing sci-fi works, often in the form of short English-language sci-fi short story com- and hiding the names of military people.13 story anthologies. One such writer was petition in 1979. It hoped to develop “the The winning entry by Irene Pates titled Gopal Baratham, known for his novels in writing skills of Singaporeans and at the “Who” tells the unlikely tale of a political Sayang (1991) and A Candle Or The Sun same time promote the idea of science leader whose head is transplanted onto (1991).17 His keen insights into human as part of culture”.7 The competition was the body of a garbage collector and the nature, a hallmark of his novels, also co-organised with the Society of Singapore personality conflict that ensues. Coinci- feature in his sci-fi short stories, “The Writers and the Rotary Club of Jurong, and dentally, in the same year, Pates’ work of Experiment” and “Ultimate Commodity”. attracted 108 entries.8 During the prize fiction almost turned into a reality with The former, published in Figments of Singapore presentation ceremony, then Minister newspaper headlines of heart transplant Experience (1981), reexamines the sci-fi of State for Education Tony Tan said that pioneer, Dr Christian Barnard, rejecting trope of “man as the outcome of an ex- “science fiction is concerned with the an alleged offer for a head transplant.14 periment by superior beings”.18 “Ultimate future society and its problems, and can Noted Singaporean poet and literary Commodity” is a conspiratorial tale of a be regarded as a ‘history of the future’”.9 critic Kirpal Singh was a vocal champion foreign substance that is released into the 1970S TO 1990S The Singapore Youth Science Fort- for increased academic interest in the city’s water supply without public knowl- night, first organised in 1978, also sought genre. His publication, Wonder and Awe: edge. As a result, everyone’s organs are to encourage the study of science through The World of Science Fiction, made inroads revitalised to a “uniformly high standard”, events such as a Science Fiction Writing into local critical writing on sci-fi when becoming the ultimate commodity for The sci-fi frenzy took off in Singapore in 1978 when Star Wars Competition, a Science Olympiad and a it was published in 1980. He argued that organ transplants.19 was screened at cinemas here. Nadia Arianna Bte Ramli looks at sci-fi works produced between 1970s and 1990s.

The popularity of contemporary science that focuses on technology, specifically the comics: “The Huntsman”(1992) and “Speed- fiction publications, such as LONTAR: The industrial steam-powered machinery of sword and the Doomsday Pearl” (1991).3 Journal of Southeast Asian Speculative the 19th century. Fiction (2013–), The Ayam Curtain (2012) But when exactly did science fiction Sci-fi Takes Off tand The Steampowered Globe (2012),1 point take off in Singapore? The genre is cer- towards a sizable and growing base of read- tainly no stranger to the Malayan literary Sci-fi picked up pace from the late 1970s ers who are fans of this genre of literature. scene; one of the earliest sci-fi publica- onwards when Hollywood films such as LONTAR, which published its eighth tions on record dates back to 1953, when a George Lucas’s Star Wars and Steven issue in April 2017, is a biannual literary Malay comic series released a sci-fi issue Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third journal featuring science fiction as well titled Tungga dan Piring Terbang (Tungga Kind made their way to Singapore cinemas as fantasy, alternative histories and tales and the Flying Saucer). Published by the in 1978.4 In turn, sales of sci-fi titles based of the supernatural. The Ayam Curtain is Malayan Indonesian Book and Magazine on these blockbuster films and hit televi- similarly an anthology of speculative fiction Store (MIBS) in Singapore, it was created sion series, such as Space 1999 and the 2 envisioning what Singapore could be or by Indonesian comic artist Naz Achnas. cult favourite Star Trek, enjoyed a sharp (Facing page) Part of the publicity poster for the 1979 Science Fiction Short Story Competition might have been, while The Steampowered Other local sci-fi comics followed in spike in sales at local bookshops. In 1978, organised by the Rotary Club of Jurong, Singapore Science Centre and Society of Singapore Writ- Globe by the Happy Smiley Writers Group is subsequent decades, such as The Valiant MPH Bookstores reported that sales of ers. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. a collection of seven “steampunk” stories, Pluto-Man (1982), The Amazing Adventures its other sci-fi titles – including books by (Above left) Published in 1953, Tungga dan Piring Terbang (Tungga and the Flying Saucer) is one of the earliest sci-fi publications on record in Singapore. The Malay comic series was created by a relatively new subgenre of science fiction of Captain V (1988) and The Sunday Times noted authors of the genre such as Issac Indonesian comic artist Naz Achnas. All rights reserved, Naz Achnas. (1953). Tungga dan Piring Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke – shot up by Terbang. Singapore: MIBS. Available via PublicationSG. at least 50 percent that year.5 (Above right) Science fiction in Singapore picked up pace from the late 1970s when Hollywood Nadia Arianna Bte Ramli is an Associate Librarian with the National Library, Singapore. She This growing readership continued films, such as Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, made their way to local cinemas works with the arts collections, focusing on literary and visual arts. well into the 1980s, with Times bookshop in 1978. The Straits Times, 15 January 1978, p. 12.

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Described as a “tireless spinner of (Left) Cover of the January 1991 (1st 3 tales”, Lim Thean Soo, author of five nov- quarter) issue of Tesseract. A total sci-fi on screen and stage the moon. Sci-fi also hit the small screen a pioneering effort to explore different els and over 100 short stories, explored of 10 issues were produced over a in the 1980s when the former Singapore genres within the Tamil theatre scene. human conflict and adversity in his sci-fi three-year period until the end of English Broadcasting Corporation produced the The play details the story of a local 1992. All rights reserved, Science short stories “The Day of a Thousand Fiction Association (Singapore). (1990). Stella Kon’s exploration with sci-fi in first Mandarin science fiction serial,Man professor who seeks to explore outer Hours” (1981), “A Question of Identity” Tesseract. Singapore: SFAS. (Call no.: Eston (1995) won her the merit prize From The Past, in 1985, and the 1988 sci- space and highlights two themes: sci- (1990), “Programmed Requital” (1990) R q809.3876205 T) in the 1994 Singapore Literature Prize fi romantic comedy seriesStar Maiden.4 ence and the concept of a higher being.7 and “Reversion” (1990).20 In “The Day of (Far left) Star Sapphire is arguably the competition. Two chapters from the first Singaporean sci-fi novel. It was a Thousand Hours”, Lim creates a near- highly commended in the “Fiction in novel – “The Tunnel” and “The Jungle” Malay apocalyptic vision of the world and the – were adapted for the stage as a double- In 1986, local comedian Ahmad Nawi Singaporean novelist Tan Hwee Hwee’s novel English” category of the National Book Mammon Inc (2001) was adapted into a play by rebuilding of civilisation, where it might Development Council Book Awards bill by the bilingual theatre group, The scripted his first play titledPara Benon. Eng Wee Ling and staged by Action Theatre in have been fate for the “human beings in 1986. Pictured here is the cover Fun Stage, in December 2003.1 The 45-minute drama, which was staged June 2002. All rights reserved, Action Theatre, to have face the unknown, struggle for of the first edition published in 1985. Another print-to-stage adaptation is on 15 October as part of Sriwana’s annual Singapore (2002). (Call no: RCLOS O12). All rights reserved, Han, M. (1985). survival with unshattered faith in their Star Sapphire. Singapore: Times Singaporean novelist Tan Hwee Hwee’s show, Malam Puspasari, is set in a post- own continuance”.21 In Eleven Bizarre Books International. Available via Mammon Inc (2001), which was written apocalyptic world and centres on a group Tales published in 1990, Lim questions the PublicationSG. for the stage by playwright Eng Wee Ling. of nuclear holocaust survivors attempting transformative effects of human cloning, Set in Singapore, London and New York, to rebuild civilisation in the 23rd century. In robotics and genetic engineering. action – which spans across a two-week information on sci-fi news and reviews.28 the satirical dystopian science fiction an interview, Ahmad shared that “this is the Terence Chua, a charter member of period and set in Singapore – details a The launch of the association in 1990 novel is based on the Singaporean-born first time that an attempt has been made the Science Fiction Association (Singapore), political crisis, and ideas such as space was graced by the aforementioned Aldiss. Chiah Deng, who was torn between her to stage a science fiction drama, albeit a published a collection of short stories in his colonisation, inter-planetary mining and In an interview Aldiss said: dream of becoming a poet or accept- comedy [in Malay].” The cast was dressed in anthology The Nightmare Factory (1991).22 a water-based economy that threatens to ing a job at the sinister multinational specially designed “space-age costumes”.5 The cover was conceptualised by Chua, cripple a country.25 “Singapore is a natural place for conglomerate Mammon Inc. Staged by who was aiming for a “dirty and grimy yet science fiction. Science fiction is Action Theatre from 20–23 June 2002, Tamil futuristic” look, one that “echoes a scene The Science Fiction Association an extrapolation of present-day the director, Ekachai Uekrongtham, In 1966, the first Tamil science fiction in one of the stories” in “which a cyborg trends – it also serves as a critique shared at the play’s press conference play with a local setting was written and commits suicide and his inner components The growing interest in sci-fi led to the of society. It offers new visions, new that a brief lightsaber sequence would directed by theatre pioneer, S. S. Sarma. scatter all over the floor”.23 establishment of the Science Fiction As- ways of looking at things. Especially make its appearance on stage because Titled Vinveli Veeran (The Man from Outer sociation (Singapore) (SFAS) in 1989. The in a highly technological society like the book featured many Star Wars- Space), the set design and costume included Novels association was set up by a group of local Singapore, it has a major role to play inspired characters. The play’s opening “dancing amidst the clouds in space, a robot First published in 1985, Star Sapphire is die-hard science fiction addicts for the in the education of the imagination.”29 and second night performances were man and a Science Lab”.6 It was lauded as arguably the first Singaporean sci-fi novel. purpose of increasing “public’s awareness sold out by early June.2 Written by Joan Hon, under the pen name of sci-fi and fantasy as a legitimate genre The association also organised an art 2). Cameras to roll for SBC’s first sci-fi production. The Notes Han May, the book was highly commended of literature and art”. competition for sci-fi and fantasy works, Chinese Straits Times, p. 4; Wee, T. L. (1988, March 14). Criticism 1 Madhavan, S. (2003, December 27). Performances. The of SBC unfair. The Straits Times, p. 22; Star Maiden cast in the “Fiction in English” category of the The SFAS published a quarterly maga- titled “Windows of the Mind”, to coincide Journalists from the Chinese newspa- Business Times¸ p. 15; Oon, C. (2003, December 29). draws the crowds despite rain. (1988, February 21). The National Book Development Council Book zine called Tesseract, with the inaugural with the Singapore Festival of Arts held per, Lianhe Zaobao, staged four Chinese Eston is far from fun. The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Awards in 1986. The idea for the novel first issue launched in January 1990. A total of that year. The first prize went to local plays in July 1985 as part of its A Night from NewspaperSG. 5 Haron A. Rahman. (1986, October 13). A show to came to Hon in 1982, and it took her eight 10 issues of the illustrated, black-and-white author and illustrator, Joash Moo.30 of Comedies performance held at the 2 Suhaila Sulaiman. (2002, May 24). Breaking stereotypes and entertain and to introduce new faces. The Straits finding identity. The Straits Times, p. 5; Chow, C. (2002, Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. months to complete the first draft.24 Taking magazine were produced over a three-year By the 2000s, there were more plat- Victoria Theatre. Two of the plays – June 6). Drawing inspiration from the Force. The Straits 6 Varathan, S., & S. Hamid. (2008). Ciṅkappūr Tamil̲ 26 the form of a bildungsroman, the novel is period until the end of 1992. Tesseract forms and opportunities for writers – both Hopeful for the Son and Happy Forever Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. nāṭaka varalār̲ u 1935–2007= Development of Tamil about the adventures of a young Asiatic was described by the editor, Glen Low, as novice and established authors − to experi- – were adapted from Taiwanese futurist 3 Wong, A. Y. (1985, June 25). Newspaper to stage drama drama in Singapore from 1935–2007. Ciṅkappūr: scientist, Yva Yolan, who joins the massive “a balance of science fiction stories from ment with sci-fi and for fans to get together. science fiction stories. The former puts performances next month. Singapore Monitor, p. 18; Ciṅkappūr Intiyak Kalaiñar Caṅkam. (Call no.: Tamil Goh, B. C. (1985, July 3). Dramatists play it for laughs. The intergalactic spacecraft Star Sapphire. contributors, features on sci-fi films and As Singapore moves towards the vision of a the spotlight on modern birth control RSING 792.095957 VAR) Straits Times, p. 23. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 7 50 Faces. (2014, August 23). SSS3of5_Breaking Another locally published sci-fi novel books that hit the international market, and “smart nation”, perhaps sci-fi does have a and paid surrogacy, while the latter tells 4 Wong, S. Y. (1984, December 9). A first attempt at adult New Ground [Video recording]. Retrieved from 50 is 2084 (1996) by Raju Chellam. Chellam’s illustrations”.27 Its newsletter, The Event “natural place” in the city-state. of one man’s search for happiness on comedy. Singapore Monitor, p. 12; Tan, J. (1984, December Faces website. career in the info-technology industry may Horizon, included an editor’s note, infor- have given shape to this sci-fi satire. The mation on SFAS gatherings, and bite-sized

Times, p. 38; New guys in toon town. (1991, December 29). Ministry of Culture. (1980, May 23). Speech by Dr. Tony 16 Lecturer calls for sci-fi to be school subject. (1982, March 21 Lim, 1981, p. 132. Science Fiction Association of Singapore. Singapore: Notes The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewpsaperSG; Tan Keng Yam, Senior Minister of State for Education, at 7). The Straits Times¸ p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 22 Chua, T. (1991). The nightmare factory: Stories from the edge. The Association. (Call no.: RSING 809.38762 EH); 1 Lundberg, J. E. (Ed.). (2013–). LONTAR: The Journal of Wong, R. (1983). The valiant Pluto-Man of Singapore. the opening ceremony of the Singapore Youth Science 17 Koh, B. S. (1991, July 13). Neurosurgeon wins literary Singapore: Landmark Books. (Call no.: RSING S823 CHU) Science Fiction Association (Singapore), Jan 1993; Southeast Asian Speculative Fiction. Singapore: Math Singapore: Fantasy Comics; Captain V Productions. (1988) Fortnight at the Raffles Institution on 23rd May 1980. award. The Straits Times, p. 26; Koh B. S. (1995, March 23 Cover story. (1991, August 31). The Straits Times, p. 8. Science Fiction Association (Singapore), Oct 1994. Paper Press (2013–), Epigram Books (2016–). (Call The amazing adventures of Captain V. Singapore: Captain Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. 4). Issues of trust and betrayal. The Straits Times, p. 20. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 29 Lee, M. (1990, October 30). Sci-fi fanatics. The New Paper, no.: RSING 828.995903 LJSASF); Chng, J., & Yang, J. V Productions. Available via PublicationSG. 11 Singh, K. (1980, August 3). The sci-fi novelist who never Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 24 Ong, C. C. (1986, September 13). ‘Star-struck’ writer p. 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; The Straits Times, (Eds.). (2012). The ayam curtain. Singapore: Math Paper 4 Yue, R. (1978, January 15). Year of the great sci-fi film revival. forgot army days in Singapore. The Straits Times, p.1. 18 Geer, P. (1980, November 8). Promise of a future in our comes out of the closet. The Straits Times, p. 3. 17 Oct 1990, p. 25; Aldiss, B. (1991). Tesseract, Jan Qrt, 8–9. Press. (Call no.: RSING S823 AYA); Lim, R., & Maisarah The Straits Times, p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. sci-fi writing.The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Han, M. (1985). Star [Brian Aldiss unbound]. (Call no.: RSING q809.3876205 T) Abu Samah. (Eds.). (2012). The steampowered globe. 5 More turn to reading science fiction novels. (1978, June 12 De Souza, J. (1980, October 30). S’pore can go space NewspaperSG; Baratham, G. (1981). The experiment. In sapphire. Singapore: Times Books International. (Call 30 Koh, B. S. (1990, October 20). Surface treatment. The Singapore: ASiFF. (Call no.: RSING S823 STE) 25). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. setting, says Aldiss. The Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved Figments of experience (p. 29). Singapore: Times Book no.: RSING S823 HAN) Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 2 Naz Achnas. (1953). Tungga dan piring terbang. Singapore: 6 Chia, H. (1988, April 16). Fantastic journey. The Straits from NewspaperSG. International. (Call no.: RSING S823 GOP) 25 Chellam, R. (1996). 2084: A novel. Singapore: Asiawide MIBS. Available via PublicationSG; Van Der Putten, J., Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 13 Mad dash at last minute to send story. (1980, October 29). 19 Baratham, G. (1981). Ultimate commodity. In Figments Publications. (Call no.: RSING 828.995403 RAJ) References & Barnard, T. P. (2007). Old Malay heroes never die. In I. 7 Inspiring our aspiring writers with sci-fi. (1979, May 6). The Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. of experience (pp. 103–110). Singapore: Times Book 26 Sci-fi fans to launch club. (1990, October 17). The Straits Bould, M., et. al. (Eds). (2009). The Routledge Gordon, M. Jankovich & M. P. McAllister (Eds.), Film and The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 14 De Silva, G. (1979, August 2). Top sci-fi writer imagined International. (Call no.: RSING S823 GOP) Times, p. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Science companion to science fiction. London; New York: comic books (pp. 249, 293). Jackson: University Press of 8 De Silva, G. (1979, August 2). Our budding sci-fi writers. it all. New Nation, p. 6; Jordan, H. (1979, December 7). 20 Koh, B. S. (1991, March 2). Tireless tale spinner. The Fiction Association (Singapore). (n.d.) Tesseract. Retrieved Routledge. (Call no.: R 809.38762 ROU) Mississippi. (Call no: RART 791.43657 FIL) New Nation, pp. 10-11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Head transplant research raises disturbing questions. Straits Times¸ p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG, Lim, from Science Fiction Association (Singapore) website. Hartwell, D. G. (1996). Age of wonder: Exploring the 3 Yap, C. (1982, December 21). Enter Pluto-Man. The Straits 9 Sci-fi a field for our writers: Minister. (1979, August 2). The Straits Times, p. 26. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. T. S. (1981). The parting gift and other stories (pp. 128– 27 Loh, T. L. (1989, November 27). Practical aims of fantasy world of science fiction. New York: Tor. (Call no.: Times¸ p. 1; Chandran, K. (1987, December 12). The The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 15 Singh, K. (1980). Wonder and awe: The world of science 132). Singapore: Sri Kesava. (Call no.: RSING S823.01 buffs. The New Paper, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. R 809.38762 HAR) amazing adventures of Captain V. The Straits Times p. 10 Holmberg, J. (1978, August 31). A fortnight of science. fiction. Singapore: Chopmen-Publishers. (Call no.: LIM); Lim, T. S. (1990). Eleven bizarre tales. Singapore: 28 Science Fiction Association (Singapore). (1992, 1; Tan, H. Y. (1995, July 15). What’s so funny? The Straits New Nation, p. 31. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; RSING S824 KIR) EPB Publishers. (Call no.: RSING S823 LIM) November). The Event Horizon: Newsletter of the

34 35 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

“Singapuraku Tukimin, Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, Noor wawasan yang agak segar dan baru pen- Aku mengerti Hidayat, Noor Yusman Abdullah dan Ajaki. gucapannya, terutama dari segi mereka di sini darah ibuku tumpah, Namun, Masuri6 mengulas bahawa tema memilih subjek atau pokok persoalan yang di sini tulang-belulangku akan dan persoalan penyair-penyair ini lebih dibicarakan dalam puisi-puisi ciptaan- merapuh bertolak dari: nya. Mereka dapat melihat dengan lebih di sisi anak-anakku membesar • kisah kehidupan peribadi, tegas dan terus terang akan keadaan seperti paya terus melebar • bentuk romantik estetik yakni mencapai kesekitaran dan perubahan yang sedang di atas batu-bata & pasir-masir kepuasan peribadi, berlaku di di dalam masyarakatnya dan bertakhta, • kritikan terhadap budaya masyarakat, dengan menggunakan Bahasa yang sedikit lalu manusia seribu tahun dan juga sebanyak telah memeranjatkan serta menghamba.”2 • sajak-sajak yang membantah terhadap mengocakkan perkembangan puisi Melayu – Suratman Markasan ketidakadilan dan inginkan kemajuan Singapura yang agak lesu dan lembab sosial, politik dan lain-lain. pada waktu itu.”7 Namun kenyataannya tidak begitu. Pada tahun akhir 1970an pula sekum- Sejak tahun 1965 sehingga kini, taman Kumpulan Gelorasa telah menam- pulan mahasiswa di Universiti Singapura Alam Puisi sastera di sini sentiasa subur dan tumbuh pakkan “kilatan-kilatan pemikiran dan mula bergiat dengan menerbitkan jurnal sepanjang masa terutama dari segi puisi. Pertumbuhan ini dapat dilihat di dalam Sebahagian karya-karya puisi penulis Singapura yang telah diterbitkan di dalam dan luar negara. Gambar: esei ini yang menyorot perkembangan Lembaga Perpustakaan Negara, Singapura. Melayu Singapura puisi Melayu di Singapura dari tahun 1965 sehingga sekarang. Menurut Masuri S. N., “Di antara tahun-tahun 1965 hingga 1970, puisi Melayu­ Singapura masih terus berkembang, terutama diciptakan oleh penyair-penyair veteran seperti Mas, A. Ghani Hamid, Selepas Merdeka Noor S.I. dan A. Salam Ayub.”3 Kehadiran tokoh-tokoh perintis ini, termasuk Masuri dan Suratman Markasan yang masih tetap tinggal di sini, masih tetap gigih berkarya Singapore’s Malay publishing scene was thrown into disarray walaupun pada masa yang sama telah when the country exited Malaysia in 1965. Juffri Bin Supa’at charts mula lahir karya penyair-penyair yang lebih muda dan ada yang baru mula berkarya. the development of Malay poetry in Singapore since Independence. Namun, pada luarannya, bentuk dan isinya masih tetap sama dengan trend perkembangan sastera di Malaysia kerana “mereka masih belum terasa ke dalam batinnya akan perubahan politik, sosial, ekonomi dan pendidikan yang mulai “Ahli bahasa Peranan Singapura dalam sastera Melayu milangan ini mula kelihatan pudar teru- sedikit demi sedikit menampakkan corak yang memakai akal klasik dan moden amat penting dan tidak tama sekali bila tumpuan lebih diberikan dan dasarnya yang berbeza antara kedua memikirkan puisi pboleh diketepikan. Singapura pernah kepada pembangunan ekonomi untuk negara ini.”4 adalah tenunan menjadi pusat penerbitan dan percetakan penakatan Singapura sebagai sebuah Perkembangan puisi Melayu di Sin- sehelai kain yang dicermati Asia Tenggara pada abad ke 19 sehingga negara yang baru. Malah, ada yang ber- gapura juga telah dirancakkan dengan menjadi rapi awal abad ke 20 serta berfungsi sebagai pendapat bahawa sastera Melayu di kegiatan sastera pada tahun 70an dan lagi dihalusi pusat intelektual, pendidikan dan kebu- Singapura akan mula kendur dan tidak kehadiran kehadiran penyair-penyair kepadatan dalamnya dayaan Melayu yang telah menarik para dapat bertahan, terutama apabila ramai muda yang membentuk kumpulan Gelo- coraknya terperinci penggiat seni dari merata Alam Melayu sasterawan-sasterawan yang pada suatu rasa. Kumpulan ini telah menganjurkan tiada sebenangpun dan dunia. Sesungguhnya, Singapura masa bergiat dan merancakkan taman beberapa kegiatan seperti Malam Gelo- lepas dari ikatan pernah menjadi nadi utama dalam proses sastera di Singapura mula berhijrah atau rasa. Ini diikuti pula dengan pembentukan meliputi seluruh permodenan dan perkembangan sastera pulang ke negeri masing-masing. Tapi Pertubuhan Aktivis Sastera Singapura buatan dan rekaan dan intelektual Melayu. seperti bait-bait puisi Jalan Permulaan (PASS) pada tahun 1972 oleh “sekumpulan sehingga terlahirlah Apabila Singapura berpisah dengan Suratman Markasan, ramai juga yang penulis muda yang sebahagiannya terdiri sebuah puisi Malaysia dan menjadi sebuah negara menetap dan meneruskan perjuangan dari bekas peserta kursus wartawan yang tiada sehurufpun merdeka pada tahun 1965, sejarah kege­ sastera di sini kerana: dianjurkan oleh Persatuan Wartawan salah tempatnya Melayu Singapura.”5 Pada tahun 1973 pula, lengkap dalam fikiran Perkampungan Sastera telah dianjurkan sehingga tiada sehembuspun Juffri Bin Supa’at is a Senior Librarian with the National Library, Singapore. He has curated oleh ASAS ’50 dengan matlamat untuk several exhibitions featuring the works of Malay literary pioneers, and compiled and edited nafas terasa menunjukkan tentang “wujudnya sastera bibliographies on Singapore Malay literature and its pioneer writers. kerana ketiadaan suara Melayu Singapura dan sekaligus cuba manusia Juffri Bin Supa’at bertugas sebagai pustakawan kanan di Perpustakaan Negara Singapura menarik golongan penulis/penyair baru yang menuliskannya.” 1 dan pernah menjadi kurator beberapa pameran yang memaparkan beberapa sasterawan untuk turut serta dan terlibat di dalamnya.” perintis Singapura. Selain itu, Juffri juga telah menyusun dan menyunting Bibliografi Sastera – Masuri S. N. Antara penyair-penyair yang mula Melayu Singapura serta beberapa bibliografi sasterawan perintis yang lain. menyerlah tahun 1970an ini ialah Djamal

36 37 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature sastera berjudul Jejak Kembara dan juga Kupuja (Kumpulan Pemuisi Remaja) Kamari, Norul Ashikin Jamain, A Rahim (Kanan) Kamaria Buang menerima hadiah bahagian puisi eceran daripada Prof Madya Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Setiausaha Parlimen Kanan, Kemen- sekumpulan penulis muda yang bergiat yang menampung anggota belia ASAS Basri, Asmin dan Rohman Munasip, ter- terian Pembangunan Sosial dan Keluarga & Kementerian Pendidikan merangkap Pengerusi Majlis Bahasa Melayu Singapura. Gambar: Ihsan Majlis Bahasa di Perpustakaan Negara, cawangan Toa ’50, KAMUS (Kumpulan Angkatan Muda dapat juga “kalangan penyair-penyair Melayu Singapura. Payoh. Kumpulan ini telah menerbitkan Sastera) yang didaftarkan pada tahun yang lebih muda pula” seperti “Shaffiq (Kiri) Johar Buang dinobatkan sebagai penerima Anugerah Tun Seri Lanang di majlis Anugerah Persuratan 2015. Gambar: Ihsan Majlis Bahasa Melayu Singapura. majalah Gema Pustaka. Antara para 1989. Kamus telah melahirkan beberapa Selamat, Juffri Supa’at, Normala Md penyair-penyair yang dilahirkan ialah orang penyair seperti Ahmad Mohd Tahir Yusope, Noridah Kamari, Chairul Fahmy Hadijah Rahmat, Rasiah Halil, Rohman dan Mustapha Mohamed. Hussaini, Sharifah Khadijah Aljoofri dan Munasip dan Norulashikin Jamain. Kumpulan muda ini mula mendapat lain-lain.”9 Kemudian lahir pula generasi penu- ruang bertapak di persada puisi Sin- Pada tahun 2000an kita juga dapat lis dan peminat sastera baharu dengan gapura pada pertengahan tahun 1990an. melihat beberapa rancangan seperti profil atau latar pendidikan yang berbeza Menurut Rasiah Halil,8 para penulis yang “Santai Puisi” yang dianjurkan oleh kum- sesuai dengan sistem pendidikan nasional menulis pada tahun-tahun 1995–99 telah pulan belia ASAS ’50 untuk menarik minat Singapura, terutama golongan penyair juga menyelongkar pelbagai persoalan golongan belia menyertai kegiatan sas- pasca 1965, khususnya generasi penyair peribadi, sosial, keagamaan, ekonomi tera. Beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini, selepas tahun 1980an yang telah mem- dan politik. Rasiah mendapati suara- acara “Gig Puisi” telah diadakan di per- bawa nafas baru dalam pengucapan seni suara penyair ini lebih damai berbanding pustakaan awam. Apa yang menariknya, di sini hasil pendedahan kepada suasana dengan tahun-tahun 1970an, walaupun rancangan-rancangan ini bukan sahaja hidup dan rasa keyakinan diri baru dan isu-isu yang diterokai tidak semestinya menyediakan wadah untuk para penyair mereka tidak lagi mewarisi beban emosi yang enak dan muluk sahaja. yang baru dan muda, bahkan penyair- dari sejarah lalu. Adalah penting untuk Antara sebab-sebab yang diutara- penyair yang mapan juga turut sama melihat corak perkembangan dan peruba- kannya ialah kemungkinan keadaan dan ikut serta sebagai memberi sokongan. han yang berlaku dalam pengucapan puisi ekonomi masyarakat yang semakin man- Selain itu, acara sebegini diharapkan Melayu ini sebab rata-rata para penyair tap, maka luahan rasa penyair tidak selan- dapat memberi ruang bagi penyair yang kumpulan ini mempunyai pengalaman tang dan sekeras seperti tahun-tahun baru dan mapan berkumpul dan saling hidup yang berbeza. 1970an. Selain nama-nama yang sudahpun bertukar pengalaman. Pada tahun 1980an dan 1990an, dikenali seperti Masuri, MAS, Suratman Anugerah Persuratan 2009–2015 kita juga menyaksikan penubuhan Markasan, Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, Isa juga telah menemui beberapa nama baru yang menjadi penerima Hadiah Persuratan seperti Noor Hasnah Adam, Isa Kamari.11 Di dalam buku ini, terdapat satuan penulis akan terus membantu Engkau yang terus tegar Mohamed Latiff Mohamed sedang mendeklamasikan puisi di sesi “Gig Puisi” diiringi tiupan seruling oleh Hidayat Hamzah, Ciung Winara, Kamaria mencungkil dan mendedahkan penyair- Ajar semua untuk tidak gentar.”13 Ciung Winara. Gambar: Lembaga Perpustakaan Negara, Singapura. 44 orang penyair dari yang mapan iaitu Buang dan Mohamed Naguib Ngadnan di golongan perintis sehingga yang muda penyair muda dan yang baru melibatkan – Noridah Kamari samping beberapa penyair yang mapan telah disorot. Menurut Isa, di dalam diri dalam dunia kepenyairan di Singapura. seperti Johar Buang, Hamed Ismail dan “perihal sistem sosio-budaya Melayu yang Antologi-antologi yang diterbitkan secara “Jalan…Jalan, Peter Augustine Goh walaupun ada antara menghambat kemajuan masyarakat pula, bersama umpamanya antologi Hempedu di jalan dan jalan…. mereka memang sudah lama bergiat dalam tafsirannya yang luas, kesemua Tasik Madu (2016) terbitan ASAS ’50 dapat Jangan berhenti separuh jalan. dalam arena sastera. penyair yang dikaji kumpulan puisinya menjadi wadah dan ruang untuk karya- Penyair bukan sekadar penggiat seni telah membicarakan dengan rinci dengan karya penyair ini menemui pembaca selain Biar sampai ke hujung jalan, tetapi harus menjadi pemikir masyarakat, keprihatinan yang tinggi dan halus.”12 wadah-wadah akhbar dan media sosial. Sampai matlamat jalan kesampaian, menyampaikan luahan dan gerak rasa Cuma jangkauan serta penekanan dalam Usaha-usaha sebegini dapat membantu Atau sampai tak boleh jalan.”14 masyarakat serta mencari dan men- pengucapan mereka adalah rencam menentukan kesinambungan dalam dunia – Muhammad Ariff Ahmad emukan jalan penyelesaian kemelut yang walaupun terasnya tetap ke arah pen- kepenyairan di Singapura seperti kata dihadapi masyarakatnya. Di dalam buku gukuhan dan penyepaduan jatidiri dan Noridah dan Mas dalam bait-bait puisi Penulis ingin merakamkan penghar- Sastera dan Manusia Baru, Hadijah ber- maruah bangsa dan agama. di bawah ini. gaan kepada Dr Pitchay Gani Aziz, mantan pendapat bahawa: Sayembara-sayembara puisi seperti Presiden ASAS ’50, atas bantuan mengulas Anugerah Pena Emas yang dianjurkan “Berapa harga adil dan benar artikel ini. “Manusia Melayu baru yang perlu Majlis Seni Kebangsaan (NAC) dan per- Tiada boleh ditimbang tawar dibentuk ialah manusia Melayu yang moden, yang tidak mudah digugat Committee on Culture and Information. (Call no.: RSING Nota Rujukan oleh perkembangan semasa, sama S821 POE); Masuri Salikun. (1985). Puisi Melayu di 1 Mohamed Pitchay Gani Mohamed Abdul Aziz & Singapura. In Items relating to The Anthology of ASEAN Hadijah Rahmat, Dewani Abbas & Azhar Ibrahim Alwee. ada yang datang dari dalam atau Azhar Ibrahim. (2015). Di sebalik tabir Masuri S.N.: Literature (p. 23). Singapura: The ASEAN Committee (Eds.). (2004). Potret diri seorang penyair: Antologi puisi. luar negara, bahkan dapat memberi Biografi dan karya pilihan yang belum tersiar (pp. on Culture and Information. (Call no.: RCLOS 899.281 Singapura: Majlis Bahasa Melayu Singapura. (Call no.: sumbangan yang bermakna dan dapat 187–188). Singapore: National Library Board: Bizmedia ITE-[MSN]) Malay RSING 899.281 POT) dibanggakan untuk pembangunan Publishing. (Call no.: Malay RSING 899.2809 MOH) 8 Rasiah Halil (1999, June 27)). Karya puisi Singapura Juffri Supa’at, Mohd Raman Daud & Sa’eda Buang. (2015). 2 Juffri Supa’at. (2014). Suratman Markasan puisi-puisi Anugerah Persuratan 2015. Singapura: Majlis Bahasa masyarakat dan negaranya serta 1995-99 mendedahkan pelbagai persoalan. Berita pilihan = Selected poems of Suratman Markasan (p. Minggu, hlm 16. Diambil daripada NewspaperSG. Melayu Singapura. (Call no.: Malay RSING 899.28 ANU) mampu pula mengukuhkan identiti 12). Singapore: National Library Board. (Call no.: Malay 9 Berita Minggu, 27 Jun 1999, hlm 16. Mohamed Naim Daipi, et al (Eds.). (2011). Anugerah Persuratan dan maruah budaya dan agamanya. RSING 899.281 KAR) 10 Hadijah Rahmat, 1998, (p.169). 2011: [Buku cenderamata]. Singapura: Majlis Bahasa Tegasnya, kita perlu menjadi 3 Masuri S. N. (1981). Puisi Temasik 1: Puisi Melayu Singapura 11 Isa Kamari. (2014). Potret Puisi Melayu Singapura (p. Melayu Singapura. (Call no.: Malay RSING 899.28 ANU) dalam konteks nusantara. Diambil daripada NORA. 370). Singapore: The Malay Heritage Foundation: Select Mohamed Naim Daipi, et al (Eds.). (2013). Anugerah Persuratan masyarakat teladan membentuk 4 Masuri, 1981, p. 1. 2013: [Buku cenderamata]. Singapura: Majlis Bahasa suatu ummah yang benar-benar Publishing. (Call no.: Malay RSING 899.28109 ISA) 5 Hadijah Rahmat. (1998). Sastera & manusia Melayu 12 Isa Kamari, 2014, (p. 370). Melayu Singapura. (Call no.: Malay RSING 899.28 ANU) 10 terpuji dan dihormati.” baru: Kumpulan esei & wawancara (pp. 178–181). 13 Cekal-tekal-mekar: Karya sepanjang zaman (p. 60). Mustapha Mohamed (1995, Oktober 15)). Harapan penulis muda Singapura: Persatuan Wartawawn Melayu Singapura. (2014). Singapore: National Library Board. (Call no.: dalam genre puisi. Berita Minggu, hlm 10. Diambil daripada Kita dapat melihat isu ini di sen- (Call no.: Malay RSING 899.284 HAD) Malay SING CEK) NewspaperSG. 6 Masuri, 1981, p. 3. Sahlan Mohd Saman. (1984, March 11). Tema tentang hidup tuh para penyair yang telah diulas di 14 Muhammad Ariff Ahmad. (2012). Sumbangsih MAS: 7 Masuri S. N. (1985). Puisi Melayu di Singapura dalam Koleksi puisi pilihan (p. 16). Singapore: National Library paling digemari. Berita Minggu, hlm 5. Diambil daripada dalam Potret Puisi Melayu Singapura, The poetry of Singapore (p. 23). Singapura: The ASEAN Board. (Call no.: Malay RSING 899.281 MAS NewspaperSG. 38 39 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

6 Dr Chua Ai Lin is president of the Singapore island on several occasions. Elliott’s first 1932. Following the release of the film, a fellow stands up and deliberately Heritage Society and a member of the release was a short travelogue as part of the Buck travelled to London and the US, giving spoils the illusion he is biting the National Library Advisory Committee. Her Post Travel Series in 1918, which inspired promotional talks and press interviews to hand that feeds him…. I don’t mean papers on Singapore’s social and cultural him to go on to make three feature films coincide with its screening.7 we want to fool people – as a matter history have been published in journals such in the 1930s: Bring ‘Em Back Alive (1932), Ostensibly a documentary, Bring ‘Em of fact the picture was made under as Modern Asian Studies and Inter-Asia Devil Tiger (1934) and Booloo (1938), each Back Alive was heavily criticised by more more natural circumstances than any Cultural Studies. time attempting to depict Malaya as real- discerning audiences, with American natu- other of its kind.”10 istically as he could within the limitations ralist Harry McGuire referring caustically of the Hollywood studio system. to Buck’s film as a “hocus pocus” work of Such controversies were nothing Building on the established practice of “nature faking of the worst kind”. The Straits new in the context of the times. Huber S. Singapore entered Hollywood’s popular newsreel filming, Bring ‘Em Back Alive was Times published an article by B. Lumsden Banner, an expert on Java, had this to say imagination at the turn of the 20th century a documentary feature film based on the Milne, who wrote that he became “hot under about the film: when motion pictures began showing adventures of Frank Buck, a real-life Texan the collar" at the string of inaccuracies in the scenes of a modern and exotic Asian wildlife collector who had established his film, and admonished Buck for his inability s 8 port city with a heady mix of the East and base in Singapore since World War I. Already “to pronounce Malay names correctly”. the West. a well-known major supplier of animals to Frank Buck bore the brunt of the bad In January 1936, an article in The zoos in America, Buck’s book of the same press as the author of the book but blamed Singapore Free Press and Mercantile title became a bestseller in the US when it the failings of the film on Clyde Elliott. The Advertiser suggested that with so many was published in 1930.5 latter had readily admitted in public that American filmmakers arriving on its shores, This paved the way for the equally suc- the scenes of a tiger being shot dead and Singapore was fast “becoming the equato- cessful film adaption of the book by Buck a python fighting a crocodile had been rial Hollywood”.1 Just two months later, an and Elliott, backed by Van Beuren Studios staged for the camera.9 In response Buck editorial in the same newspaper entitled and distributed by RKO Pictures. Box office said of Elliott: “The Film Invasion” described the large takings hit a whopping US$1 million within Reel influx “of film people from Hollywood”, the first eight months of Bring ‘Em Back “To my mind he has been very silly including “such famous names as Frank Alive‘s release and the film became one and rather ridiculous. All pictures Buck, Ward Wing, Tay Garnett, James A. of RKO’s most profitable productions in are made to entertain people and if Fitzpatrick, and Percy Marmont, to say 2 nothing of Charlie Chaplin”. (Facing page) Bring ‘Em Back Alive (1932) was a documentary feature based on the adventures of Frank The earliest footages of Singapore Buck, a Texan wildlife collector who established his base in Singapore during World War I. Directed by Clyde would have been newsreels, documentaries E. Elliott, the film's box office takings hit a million dollars within eight months of its release. The film poster and travelogues. Twenty-four such films here has been superimposed digitally with the title of this article. Image source: Iceposter.com. from 1900 to 1919 and nine from 1920 to (Below) In their interview with American periodical, Modern Mechanix and Inventions, Frank Buck and the Life main cameraman, Nick Cavaliere, explained how they capitalised on normal patterns of animal behaviour 1928 have been identified, most notably around a watering hole to lure a tiger into a forced encounter with a python for one of the scenes. Their works by the leading international newsreel interview was published as “How Frank Buck Filmed His Tiger-Python Battle” in the November 1932 edi- production company, Pathé, as well as four tion of the periodical. short films by Gaston Méliès (brother of the (Right) Director Clyde E. Elliott and the wildlife collector Frank Buck getting ready to leave for Singapore to film Bring 'Em Back Alive in 1932. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. SINGAPORE famous French filmmaker George Méliès) in 1913, which were screened in American cinemas that year. 3 From 1928 onwards, longer feature films of Singapore were produced. Some THE FILMS OF of these depicted Singapore as an obscure locale in the exotic East with no actual CLYDE E. ELLIOTT footage of the island, while others tried to inject varying degrees of realism with artificial studio settings and stock footage of scenes of Malayan life. These films includedAcross to Sin- gapore (1928), Sal of Singapore (1928), The Crimson City (1928; also known by its Italian title, La schiava di Singapore), The Letter (1928), The Road to Singapore (1931), Rich and Strange (1931), Out of Singapore (1932), Malay Nights (1932; also titled as Shadows of Singapore), Singapore Sue (1932) and West of Singapore (1933).4 Interestingly, none of these films were ever shot in Singapore. Clyde Elliott was the first Hollywood director to Bring ‘Em Back Alive (1932) shoot a feature film in Singapore. Chua Ai Lin Possibly the first Hollywood director to examines the authenticity of the three movies shoot a feature film on-location in Singapore he produced here in the 1930s. was Clyde Ernest Elliott, who visited the 40 41 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

“The trouble is, though, that after Singapore background.” He also criticised at the box office. That honour went toThe image created by her role as a native girl seeing one of these jungle films that the “over-coloured imaginations of ‘hokum’ Jungle Princess (1936), a Paramount Pic- in The Jungle Princess. are all the rage nowadays – Frank writers who spend a few days here, then go tures film that was written and directed Although filmed in Hawaii,The Jungle Buck’s epic of the Malayan forests, back to the States and write of the gin-sling by William Thiele, and became the most Princess was the first talkie to use actual ‘Bring ‘Em Back Alive’, for instance and champagne imbibing ‘beachcombers’ successful film set in Malaya since Bring Malay dialogue, and reflected its suppos- – nobody will believe that one doesn’t and such characters dear to the penny ‘Em Back Alive.25 The film also launched edly multiethnic Malayan milieu by includ- go about in constant peril.”11 novelettes.”24 the career of Dorothy Lamour, who ing characters who were clearly meant to Despite the good reviews, Devil became known for her exotic sarong be Chinese alongside Malay villagers and Bring ‘Em Back Alive was quite likely Tiger, however, failed to make its mark costumes in many Hollywood films, an European hunters.26 Tightly directed and one of the more realistic films around, as Buck asserted, going by the detailed description of “How Frank Buck Filmed speaking Malay what he wanted. The film also inspired a mini-rev- His Tiger-Python Battle” in an article from samarang (1933) sparks a frenzy The Malay would tell the Malay olution in America. For the film’s open- the American periodical, Modern Mechanix Moving away from a jungle setting, speaking Chinese, who would tell the ing in New York, the “Samarang Club” and Inventions. When interviewed, Buck Samarang­ (1933) was shot along Chinaman, who would tell the Sakai!.3 was inaugurated, “which provided that and the main cameraman, Nick Cavaliere, the coast and offshore islands near all its members should wear bathing explained how they studied the natural Singapore. Filming began in October Even the lead actor Cockle had to shorts and not the complete costume”. patterns of animal behaviour around a 1932 with a cast of local amateurs. assist the director in translating instructions At Californian seaside resorts, men watering hole and lured a tiger into a forced The female lead – “Sai-Yu, beautiful into Malay, while additional Tamil interpret- flouted local laws and went swim- encounter with a python.12 Devil Tiger (1954), directed by Clyde Elliott, was the first Hollywood talkie produced in Singapore. The daughter of the tribal chieftain” – ers were hired for the Indian supporting ming with bare chests, causing many There were many different levels film featured well-known American stars such as Marion Burns and Kane Richmond.The Straits Times, was played by a local actress named cast members. No effort too was spared of them to be hauled before the local of artifice involved in making Bring ‘Em 5 May 1934, p. 3. Therese Seth, an amateur Eurasian in maximising the dramatic potential of magistrate. As members of clubs were Back Alive; the staged animal encounters dancer of Armenian ancestry who the natural surroundings. The underwater exempt from such laws, many joined were only one aspect. The other deception However, Man-Eater was not the first in Singapore were cast as extras in genteel had been talent-spotted earlier. The scenes of a real-life fight between a tiger the Samarang Club.7 involved the locations where these scenes American feature drama to go on location hotel party scenes.21 male protagonist, a pearl diver named shark and octopus, shot by cinematographer Passing for a quasi-documentary were shot. Viewers were led to believe in Singapore. Barely a month earlier, an Numerous mishaps and accidents Ahmang, was played by an English- Stacy Woodward, were considered to be of on natives of the South Seas, Samarang that they were watching the action from American crew under the direction of Ward occurred during the course of the film- man, Captain Albert Victor Cockle, important documentary value by experts depicted the nude female body in a way the heart of the Malayan jungle when, Wing and funded by the independent B. F. ing but these incidents were kept under who was Chief Inspector of Police and in the US.4 that mainstream films set in Western in fact, the close-up scenes were shot Zeidman Productions, with a script by the wraps for fear of bad publicity. However, an amateur actor. His “exceptionally A review in The New York Times society were not allowed to. The Pacific along Jurong Road, just miles away from director’s wife Lori Bara, about a “simple after the film's release, it was revealed fine physique” led to comparisons with praised the film as “a picture distin- Islands and Bali, in particular, were downtown Singapore.13 native romance” set in a pearl diving com- that the cameraman Jack Dunn was the Hollywood Tarzan star, Johnny guished by the obvious authenticity of popular locations for similar “nature By providing a tropical location for the munity, had started filming Samarang (see “mauled by a black panther”, and “Kane Weissmuller.1 many of its scenes. The flashes of the dramas” with themes of sexuality. On- filming, Singapore became an essential text box opposite) in Singapore.16 Richmond had two ribs fractured by a The director, Ward Wing, went to divers are shrewdly pictured – first by the location filming and the use of a local component in creating the illusion of realism These movies were part of a trend constricting python”.22 great lengths to make the movie con- men plunging into the sea and later by amateur cast, even if the action was that had caught the attention of international beginning in the late 1920s of “natural While American film reviewers vincing. Screen tests were held at which revealing them below, picking up shells. fictional rather than ethnographic docu- audiences. Buck’s emphasis on a successful dramas” – scripted, fictional films – shot described Devil Tiger as “thrilling”, “real- several bangsawan actors auditioned.2 It is, of course, a fiction story to which a mentation, was likely to have been the “illusion” and that “all pictures are made in exotic locations with a cast of local istic” and “informative”, voting it as one of He engaged extras from the Sakai tribe, certain realism is lent by the portrayals key to sneaking such salacious content to entertain” made it clear that this form of actors.17 Elliott’s progression from animal Fox Films’ best film offerings of 1934, the “reputed to be cannibals”, to play the by the natives."5 past conservative elements in Hollywood filmmaking was of a different spirit from behaviour to human drama was mir- reaction back in Singapore was decidedly part of “natives” in spite of the difficul- The ethnographic details in parts of and the American censors. newsreels and documentary films. rored by the career of fellow American muted. Critics and audiences found the ties involved: the film, particularly the opening scene Bring ‘Em Back Alive not only pro- filmmaker Ernest Schoedsack, whose film forgettable and were nonplussed by filmed in a Malay kampong, provided a pelled Buck to stardom, but also thrust biography and documentary filmRango the exaggerated portrayal of the Malayan Notes Only one man could be found who veneer of respectability for the risqué Malaya into the consciousness of inter- (1931) provided the inspiration for the jungle. One newspaper hack called it “a 1 Samarang: Highlights of the film. (1933, September 29). could speak the Sakai language, scenes featuring Cockle and Seth, who Alhambra Magazine. (Not available in NLB holdings); national audiences. Many cinemas even iconic movie King Kong (1933). The latter diverting melodrama of the forests” and but he was Chinese and knew no were clothed in the skimpiest of loin- Wright, N. H. (2003). Respected citizens: The history displayed maps of Malaya alongside the was written by Schoedsack’s long-time “a picture worth seeing and enjoying, and English, so a Malay who spoke cloths and flirted openly with each other. of Armenians in Singapore and Malaysia (p. 293). film’s publicity posters. “At last, many collaborator and friend, Merian Cooper.18 forgetting”.23 Perceptions of realism and Middle Park, Vic.: Amassia Publishing. (Call no.: RSING Chinese was found, but he, in Although Seth wears a bikini top in this people realised that Singapore is not in As a silent film by an independent authenticity, and the value attached to these 305.891992 WRI); Who's Who in Malaya, 1939. (1939). turn, could not speak English, scene, for most of the 58 minutes of the South Africa or China, or anywhere but production company, Ward Wing's Sama- qualities were at odds with the portrayal Singapore: Fishers Ltd. (Call no.: RCLOS 920.9595 WHO- 6 [RFL]); Thrills by Edgar Wallace. (1932, October 3) The 14 so Wing had to tell an English- rest of the film, she is topless. where it is,”declared the director Elliott. rang (1933) was quite different in scale of Singapore and the film’s target market Straits Times, p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. from Devil Tiger. The latter was funded on the other side of the globe. 2 Trial of Malay film talent. (1932, October 10). Singapore Daily News, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Devil Tiger (1934) by a major studio, featured a well-known Other filmmakers, however, Samarang (1933) was directed by Ward Hollywood cast, and most importantly, expressed a desire for the kind of fully on- Wing, produced by United Artists and B. 3 Telling the world. (1933, September 20). Alhambra Magazine. (Not available in NLB holdings) Inspired by the success of Bring ‘Em was the first talkie entirely produced in location approach combined with Elliott’s F. Zeidman, and distributed by United Artists. The female lead was played by 4 Pearl and shark story filmed here. (1932, December 1). 19 Back Alive and the cinematic potential of Malaya and Singapore. Elliott arrived in prior experience of Malayan life that went a local Eurasian actress named Therese The Malaya Tribune, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Malaya, Clyde Elliott returned to Singa- Singapore with eight tons of equipment, into the making of Devil Tiger. In March Seth, while the male protagonist was Mortal combat of tiger shark and octopus in “Samarang” pore in November 1932 with a Hollywood a cameraman, sound engineers, “three 1936, the well-known travelogue producer, played by Captain Albert Victor Cockle, is remarkable camera record. (1933, September 20). crew and cast led by rising star, Marion rising stars in Hollywood” – Marion Burns, James A. Fitzpatrick, who was in Singapore a British expatriate who was Chief Alhambra Magazine. ­Inspector of Police and an amateur 5 Hall, M. (1933, June 29). Dramatic adventures of a pearl Burns, to film Man-Eater, “a Malayan Kane Richmond and Harry Woods – as well to collect scenes and background for two actor.­ Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. diver featured in a film at the Rivoli. The New York Times. talkie drama” for Fox Film Corporation as a reporter from The New York Times. films, said in an interview that he hoped to Retrieved from The New York Times website. (released in 1934 as Devil Tiger). While After the ignominious fallout with Frank return to make a feature film: “It will have 6 Wing, W. (1933). Shark Woman, a.k.a. Samarang. Alpha Bring ‘Em Back Alive was “a purely ani- Buck, this time around Elliott turned to a a plot drawn from the life of this unique Home Entertainment (Reprint in 2012). (Not available in NLB holdings) mal story”, Man-Eater moved one step local Eurasian zoological collector, Herbert city of the East. My stars I will bring with 7 Wing, 1933; Shocked by bathers. (1934, March 18). The further from documentary films with its de Souza, for professional advice on the me. There will be no superimposing of plot Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. dramatised storyline.15 animal scenes.20 Many Caucasian residents or players against a pre-photographed

42 43 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature combining drama, comedy, romance and audiences to accept and, to Elliott’s dis- complain about his axing.36 Interestingly, of Singapore as a bustling Asian urban re-released in 1940 under the title The Shark Woman. See jungle action with captivating vocals by may, most of his location shoots with the Booloo was the last of the pre-war feature centre, and attracted critical responses Chua Ai Lin was awarded the Millet, 2006,p. 143; Tan, B. (2015, Apr–Jun). From tents to picture palaces: Early Singapore cinema. BiblioAsia, 11(1), Lamour, the film played to full houses in Malayan cast were left on the cutting-room films to be shot in Singapore to receive an from local audiences. Alfred Hitchcock’s ­National Library’s Lee Kong Chian 6–11, p. 10. (Call no.: RSING 027.495957 SNBBA-[LIB]) Singapore. Unlike previous Malayan films, floor. 34 Paramount decided to reshoot international commercial release. Rich and Strange (1931) included only brief Research Fellowship in January 17 Deacon, D. (2006, March). Films as foreign offices: this one received the thumbs up from local most of the film in Hollywood and Ratna street scenes of downtown Singapore, 2015. This article is the condensed Transnationalism at paramount in the twenties and critics.27 The Jungle Princess even inspired Asmara was replaced by the Hawaiian- most likely taken from stock footage.38 version of her research paper sub- early thirties (p. 145). In A. Curthoys & M. Lake (Eds.), The Real Singapore? Connected worlds: History in transnational perspective. an Indonesian remake entitled Terang American actress Mamo Clark of Mutiny In 1936, Tay Garnett filmed Singapore mitted as part of the fellowship. Canberra, Australia: ANU Press. Retrieved from Boelan (1937), scripted by the Indonesian on the Bounty (1935), in which she starred The portrayal of Singapore in these Hol- scenes for his filmTrade Winds, to be National Australia University website; Heider, K. G. journalist Saeroen, with cinematography alongside the screen legend Clark Gable.35 lywood films veered between fact and used as rear projections for actors in (2006). Ethnographic film (pp. 25–26). Austin: University by an Indonesian Chinese, David Wong.28 If Dorothy Lamour had been convincing fantasy. They were shot on location, in a Hollywood studio, while Booloo went of Texas Press. Retrieved from Open eClass website. enough as a native Malay girl in The Jungle tropical jungles to depict the habitat of further in hiring over 200 extras – Malays, Notes 18 Heider, 2006, p. 25; Geiger, J. (2013). Schoedsack, 1 Singapore may become Hollywood of East. (1936, Ernest B. In I. Aitken (Ed.), The concise routledge Booloo (1938) Princess, then casting a genuine native girl wild animals in Bring ‘Em Back Alive, or Chinese and Indian men, women and January 9). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile encyclopedia of the documentary film.New York: was of minor importance when compared a Malay village in Samarang. Whether children, including "Chinese coolies and Advertiser, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Routledge. (Not available in NLB holdings) Just months after the well-received re- to Mamo Clark’s celebrity status. accused of zoological “fakery” or showing ricksha boys" – to film train scenes at the 2 The film invasion. (1936, March 20). The Singapore Free 19 Page 7 advertisements column 3: "Devil Tiger". (1934, May lease of The Jungle Princess, Paramount While The Jungle Princess success- a genuine Malay kampong in Bedok, both railway station.39 Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 8. Retrieved from 11). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. NewspaperSG. 20 “Man-Eater”. (1932, November 17). The Straits Times, Pictures upped the ante with a similar fully recreated elements of Malaya in films were successful at the Singapore By March 1936, Singapore audiences 3 Millet, R. (2006). Singapore cinema (p. 19). Singapore: p. 15. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 37 tropical jungle romance-adventure filmed its Hawaiian setting, Booloo’s stronger box office. The local setting and familiar had seen enough Hollywood versions of Editions Didier Millet. (Call no.: RSING q791.43095957 21 Untitled. (1933, March 25). Malayan Saturday Post, p. on location in Singapore. Booloo (1938) attempt at realism failed to make it a better faces seen on the big screen for the first their island to invoke a scathing editorial MIL); Millet, R. (2016, Apr–Jun). Gaston Méliès and his 14. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. became Clyde Elliott’s third directorial film. It never achieved the success ofThe time were enough to attract Singapore in The Singapore Free Press and Mercan- lost films of Singapore.BiblioAsia, 12(1), 10–15 ; Toh, H. 22 Deep mystery of “Man-Eater”. (1933, May 21). The Straits outing in Malaya, after Bring ‘Em Back Jungle Princess, instead receiving scath- viewers, if only out of curiosity. The urban tile Advertiser. The writer bemoaned the P. (n.d.). Singapore Film Locations Archive website. Times, p. 9; Notes of the day: "Devil" insects. (1934, May 23). 4 Millet, 2006, pp. 143–44.; Lai, C. K. (2001). The native in her The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 29 Alive and Devil Tiger. With 10 tons of ing reviews which panned its “silly story” cinema-goers of Singapore who admired “romanticising of our tropic city” and film place: Hollywood depictions of Singapore from 1940–1980. 23 “Devil Tiger”. (1934, May 11). The Singapore Free Press and “the most up-to-date, portable, light and and the "jungle and Hollywood sequences all things modern suddenly had rural vil- directors who reinforce the stereotype of (Unpublished paper). Prints of these films are not easily Mercantile Advertiser, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; sound equipment” this time, Elliott had [which] have been spliced together so lage life presented to them in a new light. “Singapore as a tropical playground for its available, with some existing only as non-circulating Solomon, A. (2011). The Fox Film Corporation, 1915–1935: A more sophisticated tools and resources crudely”. Not even the Caucasian-looking Singapore also played into other ste- amorous and loose-moralled inhabitants”. archival copies. The only print of Sal of Singapore, which history and filmography (p. 190). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. is held in the UCLA library, is currently undergoing (Not available in NLB holdings) to work with on Booloo compared to his Fred Pullen, acting as a Malay boy, passed reotypes, as with the early seafaring and When Booloo was finally screened in preservation and inaccessible to researchers, while the 24 New film of Singapore. (1936, March 20).The 30 previous Malayan films. the film editing, and only one of his scenes illicit romance-themed films that lacked Singapore, its valiant attempt at a realistic sole known copy of The Crimson City was rediscovered Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. The story behind Booloo expresses remained. Pullen was “extremely disap- authentic location footage. Various strate- portrayal of Singapore urban life also in the archives of the Museo del Cine in Buenos Aires, 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. most clearly the tension between real- pointed” and wrote to the producers to gies were employed in the representation came under fire. A letter toThe Straits Argentina, in 2010. See Rohter, L. (2010, May 4). Footage 25 Geraghty, G., Hume, C. (Writers) & Thiele, W. (Director). ism and staged fiction. Although Elliott Times asked why the film was “trying to restored to Fritz Lang's ‘Metropolis’. The New York Times. (1936). The jungle princess [Movie]. Retrieved from Retrieved from The New York Times website. IMDB website. had been criticised for taking creative show the world that the Asiatic population (Left) The Jungle Princess (1936), starring Dorothy 5 Slump in the tiger trade. (1932, September 21). The 26 Van der Heide, W. (2002). Malaysian cinema, Asian licence in Bring ‘Em Back Alive and Lamour as a native girl, is the first talkie to use ac- of this city consists of nothing but hawkers, Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 7. film: Border crossings and national cultures (p. 128). Devil Tiger, with Booloo, he struggled to tual Malay dialogue. The story reflected multiethnic satai-men, poultry-farmers, ice-water Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. (Call preserve authenticity in his film against Malayan society by including a Chinese servant sellers, pig rearers, and half-naked Chi- 6 $1,000,000 picture maker in Singapore. (1933, April 5). no.: RSEA 791.43 VAN). The Jungle Princess is also The Straits Times, p. 12; Wolfe, C. (1996). The poetics and commercially available on DVD. alongside Malay villagers and European hunters. 40 commercial impositions from his bosses nese coolies”. The author, calling himself politics of nonfiction: Documentary film (pp. 351–386). 27 “Jungle Princess” with a lisp. (1937, April 1). The Singapore at Hollywood’s Paramount Studios. Like Image source: Iceposter.com. “No Hokum Here”, demanded to know if (Below) Hawaiian-American actress Mamo Clark In T. Balio (Ed.), Grand design: Hollywood as a modern Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 2; Page 7 Samarang, Booloo was intended to fea- replaced the Javanese dancer Ratna Asmara as the the authorities would “allow this sort of business enterprise, 1930–1939 (History of the American advertisements column 1: “The Jungle Princess”. (1937, ture local amateur actors from Malaya female lead in Clyde Elliott’s Booloo (1938) at the thing to be shown to the rest of the world”. Cinema, Vol. 5). New York: Scribner; Toronto: Collier April 2). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile cast alongside the Paramount actor film editing stage. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Local audiences were astute enough to Macmillan Canada; New York: Maxwell Macmillan Advertiser, p. 7; Page 7 advertisements column 2: "The International. (Call no.: LR 791.430973 HIS); The all-time Jungle Princess". (1937, July 8). The Singapore Free Colin Tapely.31 (Bottom) Many of the scenes in Booloo (1938) that spot “fakery” as well as orientalist ste- featured a Malayan cast were eventually re-shot in best sellers. The 1937–38 Motion Picture Almanac, p. 942. Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 7. Retrieved from After an exhaustive search in which Hollywood in order to make the film more appeal- reotypes in Western films. New York: Quigley Publishing Company. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. “girls from practically every class of Sin- ing to its American audiences. The Straits Times, Singapore was very much on Hol- Internet Archive website. 28 Van der Heide, 2002, p. 128. gapore society from Tanglin to Chinatown 18 July 1937, p. 5. lywood’s mental map of the world, but 7 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 21 29 Elliott, C. E. (Writer & Director). (1938). Booloo [Movie]. Sep 1932, p. 7; “Bring ‘Em back alive”. (1932, November 17). Retrieved from IMDB website. [were] given film tests”, a Javanese dancer whether that impression was much like The Straits Times, p. 18. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 30 Real Malayan jungle for screen. (1937, July 18). The named Ratna Asmara from the Darde- the real Singapore was questioned by its 8 Harry McGuire was writing in the magazine, Outdoor Straits Times, p. 5; Ten tons of film kit for jungle picture. nalla travelling performance troupe was residents and cinema-goers. Life, as reported in The Straits Times, 17 Nov 1932, p. 18. (1937, August 17). p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. eventually cast in the lead role of a Malay Clyde Elliott managed to complete See also Another critic of Mr. Frank Buck. (1933, April 9). 31 Untitled. (1937, August 5). The Straits Times, p. 12. girl. Her Malay beau was played by a local filming three feature films on loca- The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 9 Pictures and how they are made. (1932, December 8). 32 Movie cameras click in jungle. (1937, November 21). The 32 Eurasian, Fred Pullen. Supporting roles tion between 1932 and 1938, each time The Straits Times, p. 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. were undertaken by other locals Elliott attempting a deeper, more realistic depic- 10 The Straits Times, 5 Apr 1933, p. 12. 33 Dorothy Lamour type sought. (1937, August 5). The had worked with previously on Devil Tiger: tion of Malayan society. But realism was 11 When jungle gangsters meet. (1932, October 3). The Straits Times, p. 12; “Booloo” girl not found yet. (1937, Herbert de Souza, the aforementioned the least important factor when it came to Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 3. September 19). The Straits Times, p. 5; Australis, C. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. (1937, November 20). Notes of the day: Coy officers.The wildlife collector; Ah Ho, a Chinese male; the commercial aspirations of Hollywood 12 Albelli, A. (1932, November). How Frank Buck filmed His Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. and Ah Lee, a Chinese seven-year-old studios. Attempts to depict Asian society tiger-python battle, pp. 34–41. Modern Mechanix and 34 Fred Pullen protests to Hollywood. (1938, September boy who played a minor role, as well as more accurately failed to make it to the Inventions. Retrieved from Modern Mechanix website. 10). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Europeans based in Singapore, such as big screen, and misrepresentations of 13 In a press interview, Buck admitted that the close-up Advertiser, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. the professional actor Carl Lawson, and Singapore as a seedy maritime port- scenes were filmed in Jurong Road, Singapore. See The 35 Brady, T. F. (1942, May 24). Hollywood’s story marts dry Straits Times, 5 Apr 1933, p. 12. He was also reported to up. The New York Times, p. X3. 33 two army officers. of-call or where life-threatening jungle have animal camps off Orchard Road, on the fringes of the 36 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, With the casting of Ratna Asmara, encounters were a regular occurrence downtown zone, and in the residential suburb of Katong. 10 Sep 1938, p. 9. it would seem that Booloo would achieve continued. For audiences in Singapore, the See Buck, F., & Fraser, F. L. (1941). All in a lifetime (p. 108). 37 Braddell, R. St. J. (1935). The lights of Singapore (3rd ed) what both Samarang and The Jungle release of these films was received with New York: R. M. McBride & company. (Not available in (p. 122). London: Methuen. (Call no.: RDKSC 959.57 BRA) NLB holdings) 38 Toh, H. P. (2013, January 18). "Singapore is the Princess could not – the role of a Malay far less enthusiasm than the excitement 14 The Straits Times, 8 Dec 1932, p. 16. MacGuffin: Location scouting in "Rich and Strange". protagonist played by an Asian actress of witnessing American cast and crew 15 The Straits Times, 8 Dec 1932, p. 16. Retrieved from The Hunter website. speaking in her natural vernacular. But working on location during the films’ 16 “Out of the sea” off Singapore. (1932, October 9). The Straits 39 The Straits Times, 19 Sep 1937, p. 5. this was simply too real for American production. Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Samarang was 40 The Straits Times, 19 Sep 1937, p. 5.

44 45 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

The Seeds of Librarianship growth of English education in Malaya is be ­sustained, suggested that the girls con- the popularity of the ‘twopenny weeklies’ tribute to the existing “Women’s Corner” The Junior Library and the Malaysia Room among the Asiatic.”13 instead.15 Nevertheless by May 1931, a writer were likely factors that influenced locals Popular children’s magazines such using the pseudonym “Cicily” created a to consider taking up a career in librarian- as The Children’s Newspaper, The Boy’s furore when her article was published in ship. However, Padma’s interests in books Own Paper and Meccano Magazine took “Boys’ Corner”. The article was essentially and reading were likely nurtured from an up to a month to be shipped from England, a complaint about boys from certain dis- early age at home. and the original cost of two pence apiece tinguished schools who loitered at street would be raised to 12 cents upon arrival. corners to harass and ogle at girls.16 Family Influence Those in the know would purchase cheaper, After several appeals, an attempt Padma Daniel was born on 31 August secondhand copies or unsold editions but was made in the 9 May 1931 edition of 1919, the eldest child of George O. Daniel it was still cheaper to get hold of these The Malaya Tribune with the publication and Harriet Fletcher, ethnic Indians from popular reads at the Junior Library. of an article, “To Bob or not to Bob”, by a Travancore, India. George’s interest in writer named “Evelyn” and the promise of books likely began as a young boy when Early Student Writings a weekly Wednesday column if success- his active involvement at church in India The growing interest in reading among ful.17 By 20 May, the “Girls’ Corner” had led him to meet an English expatriate with students sparked an interest in writing. A become a regular feature. One contributor an extensive home library.6 regular column for older boys titled “Boys’ suggested that girls leave the “high-brow” He continued this interest in books, Corner” made its appearance in The Malaya subject of fashion and love to the “Women’s mainly Christian publications, first working Tribune in 1930 with contributions from Corner” and concentrate on games, arts AN in Rangoon, Burma, for five years, man- the boys at Raffles Institution, St Joseph’s and other topics that would appeal more aging the Rangoon Diocesan Magazine Institution and Anglo-Chinese School.14 to a modern schoolgirl.18 Invariably, many for the Anglican Diocese,7 before being Not to be left out, there were calls of the contributors to the Girls’ Corner appointed as Honorary Secretary and for a “Girls’ Corner” in early 1931 but the were from the Raffles Girls’ School, some Treasurer for the Diocesan Magazine in editors, concerned that interest could not of whom were Padma’s contemporaries. UNUSUAL 8 Singapore in 1917. In Singapore, he also managed the (Facing page) Exterior view of the Raffles Library Book Depot – which in time became infor- and Museum at Stamford Road in this photo taken mally known as Daniel’s Depot – a supplier in the 1930s, during the time when Padma Daniel AMBITION of Christian books as well as books “both and Kate Edith Savage-Bailey were working there ancient and modern”.9 Early advertisements as librarians. Courtesy of the National Museum of for the Book Depot included listings of Singapore, National Heritage Board. THE EARLY LIBRARIANS (Left) George Daniel’s book, Love Unites People: books for boys and girls, dictionaries, art Memoirs of a Christian Worker in Singapore from picture books and novels.10 Padma likely 1913 to 1959. Published in 1959, the book makes Bonny Tan traces the careers of little-known librarians, Padma had privileged access to many of these titles references to the life of his daughter, Padma Daniel. and invariably developed a love for reading. All rights reserved, Daniel, G. (1959). Love Unites Daniel and her mentor Kate Edith Savage-Bailey, and the People: Memoirs of a Christian Worker in Singapore from 1913 to 1959. Singapore: G. Daniel. (Call no.: circumstances that led to their career choices in pre-war Singapore. The Junior Library RCLOS 275.957 DAN) When the Junior Library first opened on 21 (Below) The Junior Library at the Raffles Library, July 1923, it was housed in a large room c.1950s. The low wooden tables and chairs were on the ground floor next to the Raffles specially designed for children's use. The wooden 20-compartment catalogue card cabinet can be “A rather unusual ambition” wrote Rev- male. Padma was possibly the first local of a museum, relocating the premises to Library’s Public Room. seen on the right-hand side of the photograph. erend Basil Colby Roberts, the Singapore woman seeking a career in librarianship. Stamford Road and renaming it Raffles The Junior Library had a collection of Image source: National Library Board, Singapore. Anglican Bishop, in a letter dated 11 Library and Museum.3 more than 1,000 books, among which were aDecember 1935 to Frederick N. Chasen, The First Library Opens Meanwhile, British libraries came Greek classics such as the Iliad, Odyssey then Director of the Raffles Library and under the umbrella of the UK’s Library and Aeneid as well as works by famed Museum.1 Roberts was endorsing Padma The earliest record of a local employed Association, which was formed in 1877. writers like Daniel Defoe, Jules Verne, R. Daniel in her application as a volunteer at as a librarian in Singapore is that of Besides promoting libraries and looking L. Stevenson, R. M. Ballantyne and Mark the library. Ram[a]samy Pillay who, in 1837, was after the professional standards of librar- Twain. Johnston the Librarian said of the It was an unusual ambition on many paid a monthly salary of $4 as Assistant ians, it held biannual qualifying examinations collection in February 1930: fronts. First, the Library Association in Teacher and Librarian of the Singapore for would-be librarians in the British Empire. Britain had stringent requirements for Free School. He had excelled in his stud- However, it was not until 1920 that a “It might be of interest to some to prospective librarians. Besides passing a ies, and was likely a fresh graduate and qualified librarian, James Johnston, was know that many of the local children qualifying exam, applicants were required untrained in librarianship. The school li- recruited from Britain to manage the Raf- whether Malay, Chinese, or Indian are to have at least three years’ experience brary housed a modest collection of fewer fles Library. Some of his key accomplish- just as ready to read and enjoy the working in a library. Second, the library than 400 volumes although members of ments during his 15-year tenure included tales by these authors with the same domain was very much a man’s world, the public could also join as subscribers.2 the opening of the Junior Library for chil- enthusiasm as boys in England…"11 with most qualified librarians and library On 22 January 1845, the library was dren on 21 July 1923, billed as “the first of patrons being primarily Caucasian and renamed the Singapore Library. This was its kind in Malaya”;4 and the establishment In truth, a survey of the reading tastes the first public library in Singapore, serving of the Malaysia Room in 1926, otherwise of children at the Junior Library in 1938 primarily paying subscribers. Some three known as the “Q” Room5 – the latter was a revealed a diet of mainly fairy tales and Bonny Tan is a former Senior Librarian with decades later, on 1 July 1874, the colonial reference to the shelf mark that identified annuals.12 A regular column in The Straits the National Library, Singapore. She is a government took over the running of the works on the Straits Settlements, Malaya Times on 13 September 1936, had this to frequent contributor to BiblioAsia magazine. library, officially adding to it the functions and the Malay Archipelago. say: “One of the curious things about the

46 47 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

The Challenges gleaned from her father’s letters of intro- domestic help, and Malayan architecture. George Daniel’s letter dated 11 December 1935 to the Director of the Raffles Library and Museum asking Notes Despite their vociferous voices, girls re- duction and appeal for employment. By 1 She republished her children’s book, Squ- if the Raffles Library would consider admitting his daughter, Padma Daniel, as an unpaid apprentice. The 1 Colonial Secretary Office paper 6414 dated 1938 [CSO mained in the minority, both as contribu- January 1936, the request for employment ee-umph!! A Malayan Elephant (1929), in application was successful and Padma began her apprenticeship at the Raffles Library in January 1936. 6414/1938]. tors to newspaper columns and as patrons had been approved and Padma began her 1934, and released The Jungle Omnibus, Image source: Colonial Secretary Office paper 6414 dated 1938 [CSO 6414/1938]. 2 Singapore Institution Free School: Fourth annual report, of the library. When the Junior Library first volunteer position as an unpaid apprentice a collection of four short stories about with appendix and catalogue of books now in the library, 1837–1838 (pp. 16, 18, 23). (1838). Singapore: Singapore started in 1923, there were 365 subscrib- at the Raffles Library. Malayan animals, in 1936. The Malaya Free Press. (Call no.: RRARE 373.5957 SIN-[JSB]); Seet K. ers with 278 of them being boys, mainly By this time, the librarian James Tribune praised the book for its “pure and K. (1983). A place for the people (p. 13). Singapore: Times students of nearby schools.19 A decade Johnston had retired and in his place was fluent” style and commented that “it is Books International. (Call no.: RSING 027.55957 SEE-[LIB]) later in 1933, the number of subscribers Kate Edith Savage-Bailey. She had arrived the type of book which will give delight as 3 Makepeace, W., Brooke, G. E., & Braddell, R. St. J. (Eds.). (1991). One hundred years of Singapore (Vol 1, pp. had grown to more than 1,000, although in Malaya in 1910 with her husband Arnold well as instruction, and it should be in the 544–545). Singapore: Oxford University Press. (Call no.: girls only constituted a small fraction at Savage-Bailey, a well-known solicitor who possession of all children in this country RSING 959.57 ONE-[HIS]); Seet, 1983, p. 23. 12 percent. Most of the female subscrib- became partner at a law firm in Kuala who are being taught English.”25 Between 4 Raffles Library and Museum. (1924). Annual report 1923 ers were students of Raffles Girls’ School, Lumpur, and later in Penang. An unfor- March and June 1937, she gave frequent (RLMAR) (p. 9). Singapore: The Museum. (All RLMAR can where Padma studied. tunate accident led to his sudden demise talks on the radio, most of which were be found in Microfilm nos.: NL 2874, NL 25786, NL 5723) 5 RLMR 1926, 1927, p. 7. 21 Interestingly, when the Junior Library on 1 April 1935. readings of her children’s books. 6 Daniel, G. (1959). Love unites people: Memoirs of a first opened, fiction books were shelved Kate chose to remain in Malaya after Christian worker in Singapore from 1913 to 1959 (pp. 6–7). Singapore: G. Daniel. (Call no. RCLOS 275.957 DAN) separately for boys and girls. There were the tragedy, moving to Singapore to take up Padma’s Legacy also different opening days for the sexes: the position of temporary librarian at the 7 Daniel, 1959, pp. 10, 13. 22 8 Singapore Diocesan Magazine. (1917, February 14). The Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were Raffles Library on 13 September 1935. Having served three years, Kate went on a Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. reserved for girls, while Tuesdays, Thurs- When Padma joined the library, Kate had year’s furlough from September 1938 until 9 Daniel, 1959, pp. 22–23; St Andrew’s cathedral. (1921, days and Saturdays were for boys. By 1929, only served a mere four months. Padma July 1939, during which time the Raffles August 16). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from this gender segregation had been removed. was about four years older than Kate’s Library was placed under the charge of NewspaperSG. However, there remained other bar- youngest daughter, Dulcie Gray. Besides Mrs. C. B. Rea.26 Meanwhile, Padma was 10 Page 21 advertisement column 1. (1927, September 10). Malayan Saturday Post, p. 21. Retrieved from riers for both boys and girls in joining the being Padma’s supervisor, Kate may have confirmed as a Junior Assistant Librar- NewspaperSG. library. At $2 a year or 50 cents a quarter, been a mother-figure who inspired Padma ian on 1 October 1938, having passed 11 Johnston, J. (1930, February 21). Supplementing not everyone could afford the subscription to further her reading and research inter- her Library Association examination juvenile education, The Singapore Free Press fee. Added to this was the library’s distance ests. Padma would have witnessed Kate in December the previous year. Whilst and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. from those living in the suburbs and its introducing major changes at the Raffles preparing for her next examination in 12 ‘No heavy stuff’, say Singapore readers. (1938, restrictive opening hours. The Straits Set- Library during her first year of service. December 1940, Padma continued with December 4). Sunday Tribune (Singapore), p. 13. [Note: tlements (Singapore) Association “believed This included opening the Raffles her two-year correspondence course on Annuals were popular children’s publications that were that the Raffles Library fails, by reason of Library half an hour earlier at 8.30 am.23 top of her work at the library. Her father published once a year.] its high cost and its situation and hours, When Kate’s contract was extended for had written in to ask if a paid position as 13 The Onlooker. (1936, September 13) Mainly about Malayans. The Straits Times, p. 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. to appeal to considerable sections of the another two years of service, she turned Junior Librarian would be offered to her 14 Liang, E. R. (1930, December 4). Come along, boys. The English speaking and English reading her energies to the heritage collections. upon completion of the full course, but Malaya Tribune, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. public which have small means and little She installed new bookcases in the Malay- the reply is not known.27 15 “Desirous Girl”. (1931, February 14). A Girls’ Corner? The spare time”. It called for branch libraries sia Room, and published the J. V. Mills Map In 1938, Tan Soo Chye, a local graduate archives, he also began to work on “a paper reunited towards the end of the Japanese Malaya Tribune, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 29 16 “Cicily”. (1931, May 7). Street corner idling. The Malaya and reading rooms to be established in Collection Index to make the maps more of Raffles College, filled the newly created on the location, nature and condition of the Occupation in 1945. Tribune, p. 3; “Cicily”. (1931, May 21). Boys and street 20 28 the suburbs. accessible. For home loans, Kate made position of archivist at the Raffles Museum. Straits Settlements’ archives”. Unfortunately, Kate did not survive corner idling . The Malaya Tribune, p. 4. Retrieved from arrangements for more open access, While his time was spent organising the Around this time, Padma likely began the war. The ship she boarded, the S.S. NewspaperSG. 24 17 “Evelyn”. (1931, May 9). To bob or not to bob. The Malaya The Making of a Librarian including purchasing duplicate titles. work on her bibliographic listing of books Rooseboom, which was heading for Padang Outside library duties, Kate regularly in the Malaysia Room. This was a com- in late February 1942, was sunk by a Japa- Tribune, p. 4; Page 2 advertisements column 2. (1931, May 9). The Malaya Tribune, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 30 It was against this backdrop that Padma contributed articles to The Straits Times prehensive listing of titles in the Raffles nese submarine near Batavia. 18 “Progress”. (1931, May 20). Girls’ Corner. The Malaya Daniel first emerged on the library scene. on topics relating to Malaya, such as Library and Museum relating to Malaya, a After the war, Padma’s catalogue Tribune, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Much of what is known of Padma has been living and travelling in Malaya, on local collection that Kate had worked on previ- remained one of the few available for pur- 19 RLMAR 1923, 1924, p. 10. ously and which Padma was likely to have chase. Costing $3.50, it was used to rebuild 20 Raffles Library may be made more useful to community. (1940, May 22). The Malaya Tribune, p. 2. helped organise. Padma’s compilation was the Malayan Collections as it listed key pre- (Below) The growing interest in reading among students sparked an interest in writing. A regular column for Retrieved from NewspaperSG. older boys titled “Boys’ Corner” made its appearance in The Malaya Tribune in 1930. By 20 May 1931, “Girls’ eventually published in December 1941 war titles, including fictional works with a 21 Mr. A. Savage Bailey killed by fall from ship. (1935, Corner” had become a regular feature. The Malaya Tribune, 23 June 1932, p. 11 and 12 January 1935, p. 2. as A Descriptive Catalogue of the Books local setting.31 On her return to Malaya, April 2). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile (Right) Kate Edith Savage-Bailey, librarian at the Raffles Library, published her children’s book, The Jungle Relating to Malaysia in the Raffles Museum Padma moved to Kajang, Selangor.32 Lit- Advertiser, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Omnibus, a collection of four short stories about Malayan animals, in 1936. The Straits Times, 3 December & Library, Singapore. tle else is known of Padma thereafter or 22 RLMAR 1935, 1936, p. 1. 1936, p. 1. 23 RLMAR 1935, 1936, pp. 11, 14. The onset of World War II, however, whether she fulfilled her “unusual ambi- 24 RLMAR 1936, 1937, p. 16. put a halt to Padma’s career. With the tion” of becoming a qualified librarian. 25 Book for Malayan children – Jungle omnibus of Mrs Japanese troops advancing down the Malay Both Padma’s catalogue and Kate’s Savage-Bailey. (1936, November 30). The Malaya Peninsula, Padma evacuated to Bombay, The Jungle Omnibus are available on Tribune, p. 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 26 RLMAR 1938, 1939, p. 16; RLMAR 1939, 1940, p. 1. India, on 8 January 1942, just weeks before microfilm at the Lee Kong Chian Refer- 27 CSO 6414/1938. Singapore fell. She was soon followed ence Library, National Library Building. 28 RLMAR 1938, 1939, p. 1. by her mother and two siblings. Another 29 Daniel, 1959, p. 18, 24. brother was already safe in Delhi, studying 30 Pether, M. (2013, May). SS. Rooseboom. Retrieved from at St Stephen’s College, but one stayed The author would like to acknowl- The South African Military History Society website. 31 Rebuilding your library. (1947, August 7). The Singapore behind to serve in the Medical Auxiliary edge the help of Gracie Lee, Senior Free Press, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Service in Singapore. Her father remained Librarian at the National Library, 32 Daniel, 1959, p. 50. behind to manage the Book Depot, by then and Fiona Tan, Assistant Archivist at known as the SPCK Churchshop. He lost the National Archives of Singapore. all contact with the family until they were

48 49 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

Sundari Balasubramaniam reviews a selection of short stories published in Tamil Murasu during the tumultuous years from 1936 to 1960 when Singapore transitioned from British rule and Japanese Occupation to self-governance.

50 51 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / Feature

52 53 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / NL Notes

his work, he was able to gather much information on secret soci- eties. One year into his posting, Schlegel was asked to translate documents found in the home of a secret society member who had been arrested. He also had access to secret society materials HEAVEN, seized by the Dutch colonial government, as well as two Chinese manuscripts detailing secret society rites and oaths. In 1866, Schlegel published his landmark study on the Tiandihui. The National Library also has a set of unbound manuscripts and documents – in English and Chinese – pertaining to various secret societies that were influential in Penang in the mid-1800s. EARTH AND Known as the Chinese Secret Societies: A Collection of Manuscripts and Documents Relating to Secret Societies in Penang,7 it likely came from the office of the Chinese Protectorate in Penang, which was set up to manage the affairs of Chinese migrants, including the The Triad Society: or, Heaven and Earth Association (1900) supervision of secret societies (similar offices were also set up in was originally written by William J. Stanton in the late 1890s BROTHERHOOD Malacca and Singapore). Of particular importance is a document as a series of journal articles. Stanton, a British police officer Secret societies arrived on the back of mass containing parts of the 1868 Penang Riots Commission Report.8 in Hong Kong, could speak Chinese dialects and was instru- The Penang Riots of 1867 involved four secret societies: Ghee mental in surpressing the activities of the secret societies.14 migrations of Chinese to Asia in the colonial era. Hin Society (also known as Kian Tek), Toh Peh Kong Society, White The publication provides a comprehensive overview of Flag Society and Red Flag Society. The riots started on 3 August Hong Kong’s Triad Society – the Tien Ti Hin or the Heaven and Makeswary Periasamy highlights the National 1867 over a “trifling quarrel” that subsequently escalated and Earth Association. Stanton reproduced in his book the mem- Library’s collection of early books on Chinese triads. lasted for 10 days. A commission of enquiry was subsequently set bership certificates of 10 secret societies that he had collected up to investigate the cause of the riots.9 all over Southeast Asia.15 In addition to translating and explain- The Penang collection also includes William A. Pickering’s ing the various seals used by the Triad Society, Stanton also article on “Chinese Secret Societies” (1879), which describes a described the methods used to verify the identity of a member. The National Library’s Rare Materials Collection – which the Manchu-led Qing dynasty (1644–1912) and restoring the Ming Tiandihui initiation ceremony he witnessed in Singapore. Picker- These included hand signs, code words, asking specific test comprises a valuable collection of books and printed items dynasty (1368–1644) of ethnic Han Chinese.3 Secret societies, ing became the first Protector of the Chinese in Singapore in 1877, questions (see text box below) as well as knowledge of certain from as early as the 15th century − has a number of works which started off in various parts of Asia ostensibly to provide and he himself joined the Tiandihui. This was at a time when the arrangements of objects such as teacups. ton secret societies and their activities in colonial outposts financial aid and social support to newly arrived Chinese immi- Tiandihui was a registered de facto society in Singapore.10 Pick- The Rare Materials Collection’s most recent work on such as Riau, Batavia, Penang, Singapore and Hong Kong. grants, trace their roots primarily to the Tiandihui in China. ering’s fluency in Mandarin and Chinese dialects had helped him the Tiandihui is Triad and Tabut: A Survey of the Origin and These works were mostly written by Western colonial Besides comparing the secret societies to the Freemason4 earn the trust of the Chinese. Diffusion of Chinese and Mohamedan Secret Societies in the officials working in the region, such as William A. Pickering, order of medieval England, the authors also describe the origins Malay Peninsula A.D. 1800–1935 (1941).16 Printed for internal Gustave Schlegel, William Stanton, William G. Stirling and and governance of secret societies, initiation ceremonies for new Works from the 1900s distribution and intended for use by government authorities only, J.S.M. Ward. Most of these writers were proficient in the members, secret society paraphernalia, the oaths and rites that it is based on an unfinished manuscript by Mervyn Llewelyn Chinese language and gathered information on secret socie- bind the brotherhood through fictive kinship, as well as symbols William G. Stirling was the Assistant Protector of the Chinese Wynne, a senior police officer in Penang. ties from interviews with detained members, from perusing and code words recognisable only to members. in Singapore between 1921 and 1931 when he co-authored the Wynne reviewed the history and development of the seized documents, and in the case of William A. Pickering, by three-volume work, The Hung Society or the Society of Heaven Chinese and Malay secret societies in Malaya by collating all 1 observing the initiation ceremonies of secret society members. Works from the 1800s and Earth (1925–26), with J.S.M. Ward, who had previously the earlier works. He completed the first part of his research The works of these colonial writers focused mainly on written on the subject of Freemasonry.11 In this publication, the in December 1936 but was unable to finish the work as he was the Chinese secret society Tiandihui (天地会) − the “society of One of the earliest works on Chinese secret societies in the authors attempted to prove that the Freemasons and Tiandihui killed at the start of the Japanese Occupation in 1942. the three united, Heaven, Earth and Man” − which originated Rare Materials Collection is a study in German − Geschichte der shared common origins.12 Although incomplete, Wynne’s work provides a compre- in China’s Fujian province in the mid-1700s.2 The society was brüderschaft des himmels und der erden: Der communistischen Stirling, a Freemason himself and married to a Chinese, used hensive overview of secret societies in 19th-century Malaya originally formed in China for the purpose of overthrowing propaganda China's (1852) − by the Dutch missionary E. H. Röttger. Schlegel’s work as a basis to understand the secret societies he and makes reference to many documents that are no longer He translated the term “Tiandihui” into German as "Himmel, Erde, was dealing with. Stirling penned the first volume on the history available.17 The National Library holds a copy of the rare 1941 Bruderschaft", which means “Heaven, Earth, Brotherhood”.5 of the Tiandihui, and explained in detail its initiation ceremonies imprint as well as three copies of the 1957 re-issued version (Above) A censer of joss sticks − bearing the Chinese characters 反清復 明 (fanqing fuming) − placed on the initiation altars of secret societies. Between 1832 and 1842, Röttger worked as a missionary in and rituals. Ward wrote the other two volumes, comparing the with a foreword by Wilfred L. Blythe, the former Colonial The phrase means “Destroy the Qing, restore the Ming”. The porcelain Riau island in Indonesia, interacting with the 5,000-strong Chinese Tiandihui’s ceremonies with those from other ancient cultures. Secretary of Singapore. censer rests on a three-legged stand, a distinguishing feature of Hung population there and learning the ways of the Tiandihui. Due to ill In Singapore, the Tiandihui took on the name Ghee Hin Kongsi censers. The tripod symbolises the unity of heaven, earth and man. All health, he left for Europe to recuperate but returned for a second (meaning “Rise of the Righteousness”), and became the first secret triad talk rights reserved, Lim, I. (1999). Secret Societies in Singapore: Featuring stint between 1844 and 1845. society to be formed here in 1820. In 1972, it further entrenched the William Stirling Collection (p. 49). Singapore: National Heritage Board, Singapore History Museum. (Call no.: RSING 366.095957 LIM) A comprehensive 19th-century study on the Tiandihui is Thian itself as a legitimate society with the purchase of a temple at No. 4 Why is your hair so unkempt? (Right) Three out of the five flags of ranks representing the five principal Ti Hwui: The Hung-League or Heaven-Earth-League, a Secret China Street.13 Although members paid annual and initiation fees, I was born under a peach tree. lodges of the Hung Society. Pictured here (from left to right) are the Society with the Chinese in China and India (1866) by Gustave Stirling observed that revenue was also collected via illegal means Why is your hair so long? flags for Earl (伯), Baron (男) and Marquis (候). The other two Schlegel, an interpreter with the Dutch colonial government in such as gambling, opium sales and prostitution. 子 公) ranks are Viscount ( ) and Duke ( . All rights reserved, 6 It is the Star God of Longevity. Lim, I. (1999). Secret Societies in Singapore: Indonesia (or Dutch Indies as it was known then). In 1890, when secret societies were declared illegal in Sin- Featuring the William Stirling Collection (p. After spending several years in China, Schlegel arrived in gapore following the enactment of the 1889 Societies Ordinance, How many eyebrow hairs do you have? 46). Singapore: National Heritage Board, Batavia (now Jakarta) as a Chinese interpreter in 1862. Through most of the documents and paraphernalia belonging to the 36 on the left and 72 on the right. Singapore History Museum. (Call no.: society were destroyed by the colonial authorities. Fortunately, RSING 366.095957 LIM) Why is your coat so old? Makeswary Periasamy is a Senior Librarian with the National Library, a number of seals and certificates were salvaged and surren- (Facing page) A snake tattoo on Singapore. She is involved in the acquisition of rare materials for the It was handed down by the Five Patriarchs. the forearm of a secret society dered to the office of the Protector of the Chinese. These items member. Courtesy of National National Library, and also oversees the library's map collections. She is are now part of the William Stirling Collection at the National Archives of Singapore. co-author of Visualising Space: Maps of Singapore and the Region (2015). Museum of Singapore.

54 55 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / NL Notes

4 1. In this 1852 German-language book on Chinese secret societies in Riau, Indonesia, Dutch 2. This illustration is taken from another seminal 4. Also in the collection of the National Library is a set of unbound documents – in missionary E. H. Röttger discusses the history, structure and initiation rituals of triads using 19th-century work on secret societies in Indonesia. English and Chinese – pertaining to various secret societies in Penang in the mid- information gleaned from interviews with society members and the local Chinese community. In his book written in English and published in 1866, 1800s. The provenance of these documents is unclear; they were likely seized The pentagon-shaped seal of the Chinese secret society Tiandihui on page 11 of the book shows Gustave Schlegel, an interpreter with the Dutch from various sources and kept at the office of the Chinese Protectorate in Penang. the five Chinese characters – 土 (earth), 木 (wood), 水 (water), 金 (metal) and 火 (fire) . These colonial government in Batavia, drew similari- Shown here are membership certificates, notices, forms and receipts which were represent the five elements in Chinese philosophy. All rights reserved, Röttger, E. H. (1852). ties between the Freemasons of Europe and the printed on white, yellow or red cloth. To make the documents unintelligible to Geschichte der brüderschaft des himmels und der erden: Der communistischen propaganda Chinese secret society Tiandihui through the use non-members and confound the authorities, secret societies would rearrange the China's Berlin: In Commission bel Wilhlelm Hertz. Collection of the National Library, Singapore, of their symbols and rituals. In this diagram from Chinese characters, create abbreviations or use ideograms. All rights reserved, Accession no.: B20032051B. Tab. IV of the book, the Hung Gate (洪门; Hongmen) Chinese Secret Societies: A Collection of Manuscripts and Documents Relating to is the first of three symbolic gates that the initiate Secret Societies in Penang. (1867). Collection of the National Library, Singapore, must pass through during the member initiation Accession no.: B02461230G. ceremony, in which initiates are introduced to the origins of the Tiandihui, its leaders and members 5. Published in 1900, The Triad Society: Or, Heaven and Earth Association was written by as well as its rules and oaths. All rights reserved, William J. Stanton, a British police officer in Hong Kong. The book contains reprints Schlegel, G. (1866). Thian Ti Hwui: The Hung-League of articles originally written for The China Review in the late 1890s. Stanton was a or Heaven-Earth-League, a Secret Society with Chinese speaker and was able to interact with triad members in Hong Kong when the Chinese in China and India. Batavia: Lange & gathering information for his book. The cover design of the book represents the Co. Collection of the National Library, Singapore, ritual flags placed in a peck, or wooden tub, of rice on the altar during the initiation Accession no.: B29259841G. ceremony. These flags represent the five lodges of the Hung Society. On page 72 of the book (pictured here) is a membership certificate of the Triad Society, which 3. William G. Stirling, Assistant Protector of the comprises a square enclosing an octagon. Printed within the latter is the verse Chinese in Singapore between 1921 and 1931, and composed by its five founders. The verse has been handed down and “used as a J.S.M. Ward co-authored this important three- memorial and sign of membership”. Members had to carry the certificate with volume work on secret societies in Singapore. The them at all times. All rights reserved, Stanton, W. J. (1900). The Triad Society: Or, Hung Society or the Society of Heaven and Earth Heaven and Earth Association. Hong Kong: Printed by Kelly & Walsh. Collection was published between 1925 and 1926. Pictured of the National Library, Singapore, Accession no.: B18990109D. here is the title page of Volume 1 with the colour- ful frontispiece titled “A Triad Plan of the Mystic Journey as Portrayed in the Arrangement of the Lodge”. On page 132 of the book (see below) is the “grand membership certificate” of the Ghee Hin Society. This impression was taken from the Notes original “chop” that was seized when the society 1 Murray, D. H., & Qin, B. (1994). The origins of the Tiandihui: The Chinese triads in legend and history was declared illegal in 1890. Ghee Hin (“Rise of the (p. 89). Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press. (Call no.: RCLOS 951 MUR-[GH]) Righteousness”) was regarded as the first secret 2 Lim, I. (1999). Secret societies in Singapore: Featuring the William Stirling collection (p. 10). Singapore: society in Singapore and was formally registered in National Heritage Board, Singapore History Museum. (Call no.: RSING 366.095957 LIM) 1820. All rights reserved, Ward, J. S. M., & Stirling, 3 Vaughan, J. D. (1974). The manners and customs of the Chinese of the Straits Settlements (p. 92). 1 2 W. G. (1925–1926). The Hung Society or the Society Singapore: Oxford University Press. (Call no.: RSING 390.0951 VAU-[CUS]) of Heaven and Earth. London: The Baskerville 4 Freemasonry is a secular fraternal order, traditionally encompassing male members only and which Press. Collection of the National Library, Singapore, traces its origins to ancient times. Members are taught the society’s principles through rituals and Accession nos.: B02924365I [v. 1], B02924366J [v. symbols, and although it is not a religious order, members are expected to follow certain rules of 2], B02924367K [v. 3]. morality and spirituality. 5 Röttger, E. H. (1852).Geschichte der brüderschaft des himmels und der erden: Der communistischen propaganda China's. Berlin: In Commission bel Wilhlelm Hertz. (Call no.: RRARE 366.0951; Microfilm no.: NL 24374) 6 The Thian Ti Hwui was originally published as second of three studies by Gustave Schlegel in a single volume with the general title, Verhandelingen van het Bataviassch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, Deel XXXII. The other two works by Schlegel in this volume include the original editions of the Hoa Tsien Ki, of, Geschiedenis van het Gebloemde Briefpapier: Chinesche Roman (Dutch Translation of a Chinese Literary Work) and the Lets over De Prostitutie in China (Schlegel’s Study of Prostitution in China). The National Library’s copy of Thian Ti Hwui is also bound together with these two works. 5 7 [Chinese secret societies: A collection of manuscripts and documents relating to secret societies in Penang]. (1867). (Call no.: RRARE 364.10609595113 CHI; Microfilm no. NL 18296) 8 The full report, including testimonies from the 71 witnesses interviewed, was presented at the Straits Settlements Legislative Council in 1868. 9 Comber, L. (1959). Chinese secret societies in Malaya: A survey of the Triad Society from 1800−1900 (pp. 110−112). New York: Published for the Association for Asian Studies by J.J. Augustin. (Call no.: RCLOS 366.09595 COM-[GH]); Straits Settlements. (1868). Report of the Commissioners appointed under act XXI of 1867, to enquire into the Penang riots; Together with proceedings of the committee, minutes of evidence and appendix (p. vi). Penang: Colonial Government of the Straits Settlements. (Call no.: RRARE 366.0951 STA; Microfilm no.: NL 1100) 10 Murray & Qin, 1994, p. 97. 11 Ward, J. S. M., & Stirling, W. G. (1925–1926). The Hung Society or the Society of Heaven and Earth. London: The Baskerville Press. (Call no.: RRARE 366.09595 WAR; Microfilm no.: NL 25414) 12 Murray & Qin, 1994, p. 100. 13 Lim, 1999, p. 15. 14 Stanton, W. J. (1900). The Triad Society: Or, Heaven and Earth Association. Hong Kong: Printed by Kelly & Walsh. (Call no.: RRARE 366.0951 STA; Microfilm no.: NL 25923) 15 Murray & Qin, 1994, p. 100. 16 Wynne, M. L. (1941). Triad and tabut: A survey of the origin and diffusion of Chinese and Mohamedan 3 secret societies in the Malay Peninsula A.D 1800–1935. Singapore: Government Printing Office. (Call no.: RRARE 366.09595 WYN) 17 Wong, L. K., & Wong, C. S. (1960, March). Secret Societies in Malaya. Journal of Southeast Asian history, 1(1), 97–114, pp. 97–98. (Call no.: RCLOS 959.05 JSA-[SEA])

56 57 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / NL Notes

The pioneer batch of 900 men were conscripted part-time in the PDF, Special Constabulary and Notes Sharen Chua is a Librarian with the National Library, 8 into the Army’s 3rd and 4th SIR for two-year Vigilante Corps. 1 Republic of Singapore. Government Singapore. She is part of the team that oversees gazette. Acts supplement. (1967, the statutory functions of the National Library, in full-time National Service, while the rest served March 17). The National Service particular Legal Deposit. (Amendment) Act 1975 (Act 2 of 1967, p. 109). Singapore: [s.n.]. (Call no.: in contributing to the defence and security of highlights of the legal deposit collection RCLOS 348.5957 SGGAS-[HWE]) Singapore. 2 Liu, H., & Wong, S. K. (2004). Singapore celebrates 50 years of National Over the years, the National Library has Singapore Chinese society in Service in 2017. The compulsory enlistment of collected – via Legal Deposit – various pub- Michael Chiang's Hit Play, Army Daze: From transition: Business, politics & socio-economic change, 1945–1965 soldiers was introduced in 1967 with the passing lished materials relating to National Service Real Blur to Real Men (1996) [Call no.: RSING s (pp. 142–146). New York: Peter of the National Service (Amendment) Act on 17 in Singapore. These include orientation 355.1095957 CHI] Lang. (Call no.: RSING 959.5704 50 YEARS March that year.1This was not the first time the handbooks for recruits, parents’ handbooks, This comic book is based on the well-known LIU-[HIS]); Clutterbuck, R. L. (1984). government had tried to implement a manda- code of conduct guidebooks, commemorative play of the same title by Michael Chiang. It Conflict and violence in Singapore tory conscript service. In May 1954, the British publications as well as personal accounts tells of the coming of age of six boys from and Malaysia 1945–1983 (pp. 82–84). Singapore: G. Brash. (Call OF attempted to introduce National Service but the by former recruits of their National Service diverse backgrounds as they experience army no.: RSING 959.57 CLU-[HIS]) move was met with violent protests by Chinese experience. Here are some highlights from life together. 3 Lee, Kuan Yew. (2015). From third middle school students – later known as the the collection: world to first: The Singapore story, National Service Riots of 1954 – who refused to Shoulder to Shoulder: Our National Ser- 1965–2000: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew (p. 33). Singapore: Marshall 2 support the colonial government. National Service and You (1967) [Call no.: vice Journal: Commemorating 35 years Cavendish Editions: Straits Times RCLOS 355.2236095957 SIN] of National Service (2002) [Call no.: RSING Press. (Call no. 959.5705092 LEE- The Need for National Service Published in the four official languages, these 355.223095957 KOH] [HIS]) NATIONAL 4 National service and you (p. 5). booklets answered basic questions such as In the Foreword to this commemorative book, When Singapore separated from Malaysia on what National Service is, how to register, how then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong wrote that (1967). Singapore: Printed by the Govt. Print. Off. (Call no.: RCLOS 9 August 1965, the island-state saw the need to request for a deferment, penalties for failing “our National Servicemen have provided the 355.2236095957 SIN) to beef up its security with a conscript service. to report and how to apply for an exit permit. bedrock of peace and stability upon which we 5 Lee, 2015, p. 33; Singapore. This would supplement the skeletal military have built our economy and society”. Parliament. Parliamentary forces comprising 1 SIR and 2 SIR (1st and 2nd The Army and You: Orientation Handbook debates: Official report. (1972, November 22). Considered in SERVICE Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment) and the (1967); The Singapore Vigilante Corps: Ori- 40 Years & 40 Stories of National Service Committee, Reported and Third PDF (People’s Defence Force). The withdrawal entation Handbook (1967); The Singapore (2007) [Call no.: RSING 355.223095957 FOR] Reading of the National Cadet Corps of the British army in the late 1960s would only Special Constabulary: Orientation Handbook Published in 2007 to commemorate 40 years Bill (Vol. 32, col 376). Singapore: underscore the need for Singapore to have a (1967) [Call nos.: RCLOS 355.225 SIN; RCLOS of National Service, this anthology features Govt. Printer. (Call no.: RSING military that could be reckoned with. 355.232 SIN; RCLOS 351.742 SIN] the stories and personal experiences of 39 328.5957 SIN) National Service is a rite of passage for 6 Chiang, M. (1997). SAF and 30 years As founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew These were orientation handbooks written men whose stints in National Service spanned of National Service (pp. 18–19). Singaporean men when they come of age. described it: “We thought it important for people to help recruits understand what National the four decades. The reader is encouraged Singapore: Armour Publishing Sharen Chua shares highlights of books on in and outside Singapore to know that despite Service was all about. to pen his own experience as the 40th story. for MINDEF Public Affairs. our small population, we could mobilise a large (Call no.: RSING 355.22 CHI); 40 years & 40 stories of National National Service in the Legal Deposit Collection. 3 fighting force at short notice.” Code of Conduct for the Singapore Armed Ah Boys to Men (2013) [Call no.: RSING Service (p. 29). (2007). Singapore: As Singapore was not large or wealthy Forces (1967) [Call no.: RCLOS 355.13 SIN] 741.595957 NEO] Landmark Books. (Call no.: RSING enough to support an effective full-time military This booklet clearly lists out the rules that Adapted from Jack Neo’s popular 2012 film, Ah 355.223095957 FOR) force, the option was to have a regular corps sup- recruits had to abide by at all times, such as Boys to Men, this coming-of-age comic book of 7 All set for call-up of first batch. plemented by a conscript reserve.4 However, both not talking or boasting about their vocation, not the same title chronicles the experiences of a (1967, March 14). The Straits Times, p. 20. Retrieved from Lee and then Minister for Defence Goh Keng Swee drinking alcohol excessively and the impor- group of boys undergoing Basic Military Training. NewspaperSG. were aware that conscription would not be well tance of safeguarding confidential information. 8 40 years & 40 stories of National received by the public. They believed that educa- With Pride We Lead : 21 Strategies to Lead, Service, 2007, p. 29. tion was the key to changing the people’s mindset. My Son – The NS Man: What Parents Should Excel and Overcome as an NSF (2015) [Legal Among other things, the National Police Cadet Know About NS (1990) [Call no.: RSING Deposit Collection] Corps and National Cadet Corps were established 355.2236095957 MY] Author Victor Lim (using the moniker Vic in secondary schools as a co-curricular activity, This handbook provides parents with a better Van Dam) shares his personal account of the helping to prepare teenage boys for National understanding of the National Service experi- National Service experience, including tips on Service and inculcate a sense of patriotism. By ence and the roles that their sons would play how to excel as a soldier. 1972, some 90 percent of secondary schools were participating in the cadet corps.5 The government's strategy to convince the public of the importance of having a strong what is the legal deposit? national defence worked. Although anti-National One of the statutory functions of the National Library Board Act is Legal Deposit. Under the act, Service protests broke out on 17 March 1967 on all publishers, commercial or otherwise, are required by law to deposit two copies of every work the back of the government announcement three published in Singapore with the National Library within four weeks of its publication. The Legal days earlier, these were not as serious as the Deposit function ensures that Singapore’s published heritage is preserved for future genera- riots that took place in 1954.6 tions. Legal Deposit also acts as a repository for published materials, providing exposure via On 17 August 1967, the first batch of 9,000 the online catalogue, PublicationSG: catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/publicationsg. For more information, National Service recruits at the Telok Ayer Constituency being sent off in this photo taken male youths born between 1 January and 30 please visit www.nlb.gov.sg/Deposit. on 3 September 1967. Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National 7 Archives of Singapore. June 1949 were enlisted for National Service.

58 59 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / NL Notes

18 August 2017 at the National Library Building on Victoria Street. European officials and scholars of the late 18th and The exhibition will showcase a selection of old Malay manuscripts early 19th centuries collected Malay manuscripts in earnest and early printed books from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. in their attempts to learn the language and understand the The materials come from the National Library’s Rare Material culture in order to control and administer the region. This in Collections as well as institutions in the United Kingdom and turn created a commercial market for Malay manuscripts, Netherlands, and museums in Singapore. The oldest item in the some of which eventually found new homes in libraries in UK exhibition is a manuscript of the Syair Perang Mengkasar (Poem and Europe. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity for of the Makassar War), which was copied around 1710 in Ambon. visitors to view rare manuscripts that have been borrowed from the British Library and Royal Asiatic Society in the UK The Age of Malay Manuscripts and the Leiden University Library in the Netherlands and shown in Singapore for the first time. For centuries, Malay functioned as a language of trade and Starting from the mid-19th century onwards, the Malay diplomacy in the cosmopolitan trading centres of maritime manuscript tradition was impacted by the appearance of a Southeast Asia. Malay was also the literary language of the re- fledgling Muslim5 printing scene in Singapore. By the late gion. What has survived today from these literary traditions are 19th century, Singapore had become the leading centre for texts derived from manuscripts written in Jawi (Malay written in the printing of Malay and Muslim books in Southeast Asia. a modified Arabic script). Aside from religious texts, there are The first printers used a method of printing known as court chronicles, narratives that recount fantastic adventures lithography to reproduce the physical characteristics of a (hikayat) of kings and heroes as well as romantic poetry (syair). handwritten manuscript cheaply and in large quantities. These tales provide a glimpse of the society during which these These early printed hikayat and syair were even used in a writings were produced and read. similar way as their original handwritten counterparts, ie Various scholars have tried to estimate the number of Malay recited and sung for an audience. Nevertheless, over time, manuscripts in libraries around the world, and have put the figure the advent of printing and other societal changes, such as at around 10,000.3 The tropical climate of the region has had det- the introduction of the Western school system, were to rimental effects over the years on these paper-based materials, affect the ways in which people traditionally interacted but even so, 10,000 is a small number –­ an indication perhaps of with the written text – effectively spelling the end of the the relatively small output of Malay manuscripts in the first place. manuscript tradition. This scarcity of manuscripts was noted during the early The impact of printing and the development of the early 19th century. Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir, the accomplished Malay Malay/Muslim printing scene in Singapore will be explored in scholar better known as Munsyi Abdullah (1797[?]–1854), found the exhibition. To emphasise the importance of the oral and it extremely difficult to procure manuscripts for Europeans aural aspects of traditional Malay written literature,6 visitors who wanted to learn more about the language and region. The will also be able to hear the recitation of a hikayat (or nar- dearth of such manuscripts is partially attributed to the manner rative prose) upon entering the exhibition space. In addition, in which these texts were used; most manuscripts were held there will be opportunities to encounter literary works that Literary works in the ancient Malay-speaking world were not in the royal courts, in the hands of feudal elites or storytellers. continue to capture the public’s imagination to this day, such Furthermore, perhaps because literary texts were meant to be as the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), Hikayat Hang Tuah enjoyed silently but read aloud to an audience, as Tan Huism performed for an audience, there was less of a need for stories and folk tales featuring the wily mousedeer (sang kanchil). tells us in this latest exhibition by the National Library. to be written down.4

“That night the war-chiefs and the young nobles were Baik kita membaca hikayat perang, supaya kita beroleh EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS waiting in the hall of audience, and the young nobles faedah daripadanya.’ … ‘Pergi memohonkan Hikayat said, ‘Why do we sit here idly? It would be well for Muhammad Hanafiah, sembahkan mudah-mudahan (Right) A syair is a narrative poem that rhymes. us to read a tale of war that we may profit from it.’ … dapat patek2 itu mengambil faedah daripada-nya, kerana This was a popular literary genre in the Malay ‘Take this message to the Ruler, that all of us crave Feringgi akan melanggar esok hari’”.2 world from the end of the 18th century, and was one of the most popular forms of literature from him the Story of Muhammad Hanafiah, in the – Sejarah Melayu, edited by William G. Shellabear published by early Malay/Muslim presses well hope that we may obtain profit from it, for the Franks into the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The are attacking tomorrow’”.1 origins of the syair form, however, are unclear. This romantic poem, the Syair Ken Tambuhan, tells the tragic love story of Princess Ken – Sejarah Melayu, translated by Charles C. Brown For many of us, the idea of reading a book is a solitary affair ­– we Tambuhan and Prince Kertapati, based on all read silently, as one is often reminded in libraries. Except of the popular Panji tales7 from Java. This par- course when we read a story to a child, or when an author reads ticular syair has been hailed by 19th-century f European scholars as a work of literary merit. “Maka hari pun malam-lah, maka segala hulubalang an excerpt of his or her work at a public reading. dan segala anak tuan2 semua-nya bertunggu While reading silently is the accepted norm today, this was The vivid descriptions in Syair Ken Tambuhan were intended by the author to evoke feelings di-balairong. Maka kata segala anak tuan2 itu, ‘Apa not necessarily the case in the Malay-speaking world before the of compassion and sympathy for the heroine. kita buat bertunggu di balairong diam2 sahaja? 20th century. There are numerous descriptions in old Malay Romantic syair were dismissed by some early manuscripts that describe the practice of reading literary works Malay male scholars as trivial as they believed out aloud to an audience. The consumption of literature back that its recitation could arouse immoral emo- Tan Huism is Deputy Director of Content and Services at the tions in listeners.8 According to the colophon, then was a largely communal affair. this syair was copied by an anak peranakan National Library, Singapore, where she oversees exhibitions and “Tales of the Malay World: Manuscripts and Early Books” the Singapore & Southeast Asia collections. (local-born person of mixed origins). Collection is the National Library’s latest exhibition, to be launched on of the Leiden University Library, Cod.Or 1965.

60 61 BIBLIOASIA JUL – SEP 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 02 / NL Notes

(Right) In the preface of Cetra Empat Orang Fakir (Right) The Sejarah Melayu − an important literary (Tales of the Four Dervishes), the translator Mahmud work on the history and genealogy of the Malay bin Sayid Mu’alim bin Arsyad Marican recounts how kings of the Melaka Sultanate (1400–1511) tells he was introduced to this story by his Jawi Peranakan9 of Melakan warriors who asked for the Hikayat friend in Singapore. He also writes that his Malay Muhammad Hanafiah to be read to them as part work was translated from a Persian text attributed of their preparations on the night before they to the famous Sufi Amir Khusrau Dehlavi (1253–1325). went to war with the Portuguese invaders. The Professor Vladimir Braginsky10 has, however, identi- hikayat (narrative tale) recounts the exploits of the fied Mahmud’s source as a popular Urdu translation legendary Islamic warrior Muhammad Hanafiyyah of Amir Khusrau’s work by Mir Amman (1750–1837) who was the half-brother of Hasan and Hussein titled Bagh-o bahar (The Garden and Spring Season). (the grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad).13 First translated in the Islamic year 1262 (1846) and According to the scholar Brakel, the Hikayat then transcribed in 1263 (1847), this manuscript by Muhammad Hanafiah is believed to have been Mahmud is early evidence of the wave of literary translated not long after the Persian original was contacts forged between Islamic India and the Ma- written, possibly in northeast Sumatra in the 14th lay world in the 19th century. The colophon – which century.14 It continued to be very popular until the mentions the names of the translator and copyist as late 19th century and was reprinted many times well as the date and place it was completed (Singa- by early Malay/Muslim printers in Singapore. pore) – is found below the inverted triangle depicted According to the colophon, this manuscript was here. Collection of the National Library, Singapore, copied by Muhammad Kasim and completed on Accession no.: B16283380I. 29 Jamadilakhir 1220 (22 September 1805). Col- lection of The British Library Mss Malay B6, John (Bottom right) The Sulalat al-Salatin, or Genealogy Leyden collection. of Kings, is one of the earliest and most famous texts in Malay literature. It is more popularly known as the Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals, titles that were first coined by John Leyden, a Scotsman and friend of Stamford Raffles, in 1821.11 Composed around the 17th century, the Sulalat al-Salatin chronicles (Left) Stamford Raffles (1781–1826) was based in Melaka when he received this letter in the history and genealogy of the Melaka Sultanate February 1811 from Sultan Syarif Kasim (1766–1819), the ruler of Pontianak in western Ka- (1400 (?)–1511). The work was produced not so much limantan. Appointed as the Agent of the Governor-General to the Malay States, Raffles had to record history as to help bolster support for the sent letters to various indigenous rulers to ask for their support of the British invasion of Java. Melakan rulers and their heirs in Johor and Riau. In In the letter, Sultan Syarif requested for British support against “their” common enemy, the the 19th century, a copy of the text was preserved as Sultan of Sambas (also in western Kalimantan).15 The letter ends with Sultan Syarif informing part of the regalia of the Riau court; it was wrapped Raffles that he would be sending him two Malay manuscripts – a legal text(undang-undang) in yellow silk and read out loud during certain court and the Hikayat Raja Iskandar. Raffles was a collector of Malay manuscripts and is believed ceremonies. One of the episodes featured in the to have single-handedly created – through his avid collecting activities – a public market for work recounts how Sang Nila Utama, a prince from such written texts.16 Collection of The British Library, Mss Eur.D.742/1, f 33a. Sumatra, arrived on the island of Temasek and established a city that he named Singapura. This particular copy of the manuscript – famously known as Raffles 18 – once belonged to Stamford Raffles, and is believed to be one of the earliest recensions of the original text. Collection of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland , United Kingdom, Raffles Malay 18.

(Left) The majority of early Malay manuscripts Notes are generally devoid of ornamentation. This rare 1 Brown, C. C. (1976). Sejarah Melayu, or, Malay annals (p. 162). Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. (Call and highly decorated manuscript from Penang, no.: RSING 959.503 SEJ) titled Taj al-Salatin (The Crown of Kings), is 2 Shellabear, W. G. (1967). Sejarah Melayu (p. 264). Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. (Call no: Malay considered as one of the most beautiful by RCLOS 959.5 SEJ) experts. The opening and closing pages are 3 See Ding, C. M. (1987, October). Access to Malay manuscripts. Bidragen tot de Taal-, Land-en Volkenkunde, 143(4), elaborately adorned with blue, red, yellow and 425–451. Retrieved from JSTOR via NLB’s eResources website. gold design elements, while on other pages the 4 Proudfoot, I. (2002) From recital to sight reading: The silencing of texts in Malaysia. Indonesia and the Malay text is enclosed within multicoloured frames. World, 30(87), 117–144. Retrieved from JSTOR via NLB’s eResources website. The decorative style of the opening pages seen 5 The term “Muslim” is used here in the same way as Ian Proudfoot, to refer to the religious faith of the agents who here is reminiscent of Indo-Persian and Otto- produced the materials and not necessarily the content of the publications. See Proudfoot, I. (1993), Early Malay man manuscripts.12 The manuscript is a didactic printed books: A provisional account of materials published in the Singapore-Malaysia area up to 1920, noting work describing the roles and responsibilities holdings in major public collections (pp. 27, 432). Malaysia: Academy of Malay Studies and the Library, University of kings and the nobility as well as commoners. of Malaya. (Call no: RSING 015.5957 PRO-[LIB]) It is believed to have been composed in Aceh 6 Amin Sweeney was one of the first scholars to stress the importance of the oral in written Malay literature. in 1603 by Bukhari al-Johori or al-Jauhari (the See Sweeney, A. (1980). Authors and audiences in traditional Malay literature. Berkeley: Center for South “jewel merchant”) and was very popular among and Southeast Asia Studies, University of California, Detroit, Mich. distribution by the Cellar Book Shop. the ruling elite right up to the 19th century. (Call no: RCLOS 899.23009 SWE) The colophon states that the manuscript was 7 Panji tales from ancient Java recount the adventures of the hero named Panji who takes on different copied by a scribe named Muhammad bin Umar disguises and names in search of his beloved princess. Syaikh Farid on 4 Zulhijjah 1239 (30 July 1824). 8 Hijjas, M. (2011). Victorious wives: The disguised heroine in 19th-century Malay syair. Singapore: NUS Collection of The British Library, Or. MS. 13295. Press. (Call no.: RSEA 899.2810093522 HIJ) 9 Jawi Peranakan refers to the children of Indian Muslim and Malay marriages. 10 Braginsky, V. (2009). The story of four dervishes: The first translation from Urdu in traditional Malay literature. Jurnal e-Utama, 2. Retrieved from Jurnal e-Utama website.

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(Left) Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir (1797[?]–1854), better known as Munsyi (Right) Like traditional handwritten manuscripts, printed syair and hikayat Abdullah was a scholar and translator, and was famously known as the were recited aloud in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A popular “father of Malay printing”. His autobiography, the Hikayat Abdullah (Stories syair at the time was the Syair Abdul Muluk (Poem of Abdul Muluk) as of Abdullah), was published in 1849 in collaboration with Reverend Ben- evidenced by the number of multiple editions by various printers.17 This jamin Keasberry (1811–1875), a Protestant missionary. Munsyi Abdullah particular edition shown here was lithographed by one of the early was the first non-European to have his works published in Malay. Writ- prominent printers, Muhammad Amin, in the Islamic year 1311 (1893/4). ten as a memoir, the work is a record of the socio-political landscape of The romantic poem is believed to have been composed by Raja Salihah18 Singapore, Melaka and the kingdoms of Johor and Riau-Lingga at the of the Riau court in Penyengat. She is the younger sister of Raja Ali Haji, beginning of the 20th century. It is one of the most impressive Malay works scholar and author of Tuhfat al-Nafis (The Precious Gift)which recounts printed in the Straits Settlements during the 19th century. Shown here is the story of the relationship between the Malay and Bugis rulers. The the beautifully coloured double frontispiece of the Hikayat Abdullah. This protagonist in the poem is Abdul Muluk’s second wife, Siti Rafi’ah, who copy was donated to the National Library, Singapore, by Revered George disguised herself as a man in order to rescue her husband and his first Frederick Hose in 1879. Collection of the National Library, Singapore, wife from captivity. Collection of the National Library, Singapore, Acces- Accession no.: B03014389F. sion no.: B29362100A.

11 The first English translation of the Sejarah Melayu was by John Leyden (1775– 1811), which was published posthumously in 1821. See Leyden, J. (1821). Malay annals/translated from the Malay language, by the late Joh Leyden. With an The National Library would like to thank William and Judith introduction, by Sir Stamford Raffles. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Bollinger. Their generous donations have enabled Malay Brown. (Call no.: RRARE 959.503 MAL; Microfilm no.: NL 25782) 12 Annabel Gallop has done an in-depth study of the design of this manuscript and manuscripts in the collection of the British Library to be raised the possibility of a Penang style of manuscript decoration. See Gallop, A. digitised and made available on BookSG at: eresources.nlb. (n.d.). Is there a Penang style of Malay manuscript illumination? Retrieved from Malay gov.sg/printheritage/ Concordance website. 13 It is believed that early Malay literature inspired by Persian sources evolved over time to be less Shi’itic, although some traces still remain. 14 Brakel, L. F. (1975). The Hikayat Muhammad Hanafiyyah: A medieval Muslim- about the exhibition Malay romance (pp. 54–57). The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff. (Call no: RSEA "Tales of the Malay World: Manuscripts and Early Books" 899.2300981 BRA) is held on level 10 of the National Library Building from 15 For the entire transcript and translation of this letter, see Ahmat Adam. (2009). 18 August 2017 to 25 February 2018. Letters of sincerity: The Raffles collection of Malay letters (1780–1824): A descriptive account with notes and translation. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia: The A series of programmes and events has been Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. (Call no: RSEA 959.503 AHM) organised in conjunction with the exhibition, including 16 Proudfoot, 2002, pp. 117–144. a roving exhibition at selected branch libraries, public 17 Proudfoot, 1993, p.38. talks, guided tours by curators as well as school tours. 18 There are debates as to who might be the author of the Syair Abdul Muluk. The poem For more information, look up www.nlb.gov.sg/exhibitions. has also been attributed to Raja Ali Haji. For the discussions, see Braginsky, V. I. (2004). The heritage of traditional Malay literature: A historical survey of genres, writings and literary views (p. 542). Leiden: KITLV Press. (Call no: RSEA 899.28 BRA)

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