Author Archives: Remember Singapore

The Last of the Street Barbers in Singapore

In the old days, it was well-known as the busy “Barber Street” filled with street barbers, yet the narrow back alley off Aliwal Street today is nothing but a quiet and forgotten lane unnoticed by most passers-by having their lunch … Continue reading

Posted in Nostalgic | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Heritage Tour around Colonial Changi

Changi, best known for the internationally famous airport Singaporeans are proud of. Or, to some, that delicious nasi lemak at the hawker centre of Changi Village. But Changi is much more than that. More than a dozen buildings and landmarks … Continue reading

Posted in Exotic, Historic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 76 Comments

Kampong Spirit and Gotong Royong

The phrase “kampong spirit” has been mentioned frequently in recent years, especially in the media or used by the community leaders in their speech. Another phrase “gotong royong“, a term widely used in the sixties and seventies but relatively unknown … Continue reading

Posted in Nostalgic | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Searching for the Remnants of Ama Keng

Mention Lim Chu Kang, and the first impressions that come to our mind are probably ulu (secluded), countryside or cemetery. The name Ama Keng may be even more unfamiliar to many Singaporeans, who are unaware of the former existence of … Continue reading

Posted in Nostalgic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 49 Comments

Mata.Mata: History of The Singapore Police

The much-advertised English drama Mata.Mata has finally made its debut on Channel 5 last night. Mata refers to eye in Malay, but mata-mata generally means policeman (or watchman), where a patrolling policeman of the olden days was the “one on … Continue reading

Posted in Historic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

A Forgotten Past – ‘Prison on Fire’ at Pulau Senang

Many movie fans are familiar with Chow Yun-Fat’s blockbuster “Prison on Fire”, a 1987 Hong Kong classic that featured inmates rioting against the prison authorities. Few, however, are aware that a similar incident had happened in Singapore in the early … Continue reading

Posted in Historic | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

A Journey into Singapore MRT’s Past

It seems like it was only yesterday when the grand opening ceremony of the North-South Line was held at the Toa Payoh station. A total of 26 years has since passed, as the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system becomes an … Continue reading

Posted in Historic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Last Breakfast at Tong Ah Kopitiam

It was a cooling Sunday morning, but I decided to wake up a little earlier to make a trip down to Tong Ah Eating House. It was the last day of operation for the 74-year-old iconic kopitiam located at the … Continue reading

Posted in Nostalgic | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Haze – A Burning Issue For Four Decades

Singapore is fortunate to be freed of most natural disasters, but we are not spared of occasional floods and haze. The records at the National Archives and Newspaper Archives of Singapore show that the haze issue has been affecting Singapore … Continue reading

Posted in General | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

10 Common Misconceptions of the Names of Places in Singapore

Is Ang Mo Kio “ang mo kio” (tomato)? Or is Holland Village named after the Dutch community in Singapore? Are there any links between the new Chong Pang estate and the old Chong Pang Village? Let’s find out more… 1. … Continue reading

Posted in Cultural | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments