A Retrospect on the Dust-Laden History

The Past and Present of Tekong Island in Singapore

Nonfiction, History, Asian, Southeast Asia, Asia

• Author: Leong Sze Lee, Poh Seng Chen
• ISBN: 9789814397117
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
• Publication: December 14, 2011
• Imprint: WSPC
• Language: English

Chen Poh Seng's great grandfather lived in Pulau Tekong, his 50-over cousins were born and educated there. He lived in Changi Point which is 30 minutes away by ferry.

Lee Leong Sze is a Malaysian, graduated from the Department of History, National Chong Hsing University, Taiwan, obtained PhD in Singapore. Two researchers met in August 2005. They shared the same interest in studying the history of Pulau Tekong. During the study, they had full support and encouragement from former residents.

The book describes how Pulau Tekong Island developed during the early 20th century. It describes where the ethnic groups came from, how they settled down, worked and lived together, and the relationship among different ethnic groups, like the Malay and Chinese (including Hakka and Chouchouese) over the years. Finally, the book finds out how and why the villages vanished. The final chapter outlines the outstanding citizens from Pulau Tekong and reviews how they merged with the main stream of Singapore society after leaving the offshore island.

Contents:

• Introduction

• From Desolation to Prosperity:

  • Development of Villages
  • Life in Villages
  • Conclusion

• Composition and Relationship of Ethnic Groups:

  • Ethnic Structure on Tekong Island
  • Relationship Between Chinese and Malays
  • Ethnic Relationship within Chinese
  • Conclusion

• The Impact of World War II:

  • Influence of World War II on Tekong Island
  • Tekong Island Under British Government and Self-Governance
  • The 1960s: A Period of Change
  • Conclusion

• The Development of Tekong Island:

  • Tekong Island Under Singapore's Development
  • The Disappearance of Villages on Tekong Island
  • The Achievements of Former Residents of Tekong Island
  • Conclusion

• Conclusion

Readership: Student, professional, general public.
Key Features:

• This is a rare research work on a Singapore offshore island, as most research covers only the main island. Tekong Island is the largest off-shore island of Singapore
• During the academic study on history of Pulau Tekong, authors had full support and encouragement from former residents. The book contains the life experiences of Tekong Island residents