Among
the islands in the East, Singapore is unique. From a humble beginning, it has
emerged as a leading city in South-East Asia. Often referred to as ‘The Gateway
to the Far East’ and ‘Polyglot Port’, it has of late in lighter vein been
called ‘Chinkapore’. l
The
Malay Annals, the tales of which are more or less legendary, state that it was
a great city and capital of a vast empire. Once, five kings ruled
simultaneously in Singapore, one being Raja Suran, whose son San Superba was
also king of Menangkabau. San Superba’s son, Sang Nila Utama, became chief of
Palembang. While adventuring in the Malacca Straits, his ship was driven to the
Singapore coast by a terrible storm. A man of fortune, he became the first sole
king of the island. During the Course of his wanderings here, he came across a
lion, which accounts for the island’s early name Singapura, literally
‘Lion-City’.
Later,
Singapura became part of Shrivijaya, then passed on to the Majapahits. In the
13th and 14th centuries, when the Javanese were consolidating their conquests
in Malaya, the Singaporeans vigorously opposed them. The Malaya Annals record
that a traitor, San Ranjuna Tapa, betrayed the island to the Javanese, for
which evil deed he was turned into stone. After that, it is said, a curse
existed on the place.
Although
500 years have since elapsed, the Malays and Chinese are still scared of moving
freely after dark on Fort Canning, ‘the forbidden-hill’, which is said to be
haunted by the spirits of victims of former bloodshed. When the Javanese
finally subdued Singapura, its existing ruler escaped to Malacca, eventually
becoming its king!
How
Singapura came under the British is a legend in itself. Since 1817, Raffles,
then Governor of Bencoolen, was looking for a suitable spot whence he could
deal a decisive blow on the Dutch. Appreciating its strategic position, he
foresaw the possibilities of developing the island as a military base and
entrepot. Despite opposition from all sides, Raffles managed to obtain the
approval of the Governor-General in India for acquiring Singapura for the East
India Company. Commencing with a preliminary agreement with its owner, the
Sultan of Johore, in 1819, Raffles got him to sign a treaty in 1824, by which
the island passed into British hands.
There
were then a mere 150 settlers on the stand, which was covered with thick
jungles and swamps teeming with wild animals and reptiles. Moreover, Singapura
had been a lair for pirates since time immemorial. It took the British over 50
years to stamp it out, after which Singapore began to make phenomenal progress.
Proclaimed
a free port, it attracted thousands of immigrants, particularly Chinese. After
a year, trade through the port totaled four million Straits dollars, which more
than trebled in the next three years. Today, millions of pounds sterling worth
of merchandise, mainly rubber and tin, pass through Singapore, South-East
Asia’s biggest entrepot. The dream that Raffles visualised has come true.
A
new-comer is generally stunned to learn that in polyglot Singapore (basically
Malay country), 75 per cent of the population are Chinese. How did this
conundrum come about?
Ptolemy
mentions that ever since their first contact with Malaya, the Chinese were
mining tin there. From the 5th century onwards, they had maintained a regular
liaison with the country. Fahien, the noted Chinese Buddhist scholar, en
route from India to China, touched the island about 400 A.D. The Sang
dynasty sent envoys to the Malayan world, which during the Shrivijaya rule
despatched tribute-bearing missions to China from 670 A.D. right up to the 10th
century. Marco Polo’s travels about 1290 reveal the existence of Chinese
traders in Singapore and other East Indian islands.
Trading
in tin on the mainland, the Chinese gradually flocked to Singapore for easy
living. The influx further increased ever since the British commenced importing
labour from outside, the Chinese being favoured because they provided cheap and
efficient labour. In time the settled Chinese community soon dominated the
economic life of the island. Some of the descendants of the poineer labourers
worked their way up to own large enterprises. By their overwhelming numbers,
the Chinese transformed Singapore into virtually a Chinese city that it is today.
The
Chinese population totals about 800,000, comprising various sects, namely,
Hokkiens, Hock. Chens, Hock Chias, Hakkas, Straits Chinese and Cantonese, who
form the bulk amongst them. Being a mixed bag, these sects strive against each
other mainly for business leadership. Born and bred in Singapore, the Straits
Chinese, although, essentially Chinese by race and culture, consider themselves
sons of the soil. Their long influence has caused inclusion of Chinese
words in colloquial Malay, which they speak in their homes as a mother-tongue.
By
nature industrious and enterprising, and seldom fearing to risk capital in
commerce, the Singapore Chinese posses initiative of a high order. Having built
up a reputation for clean business, they are respected by other communities. By
virtue of constant mixing with the diverse population, they have acquired a
cosmopolitan outlook on life.
Highly
organised as a community, they have their own chambers of commerce and
associations covering every sphere of activity. They run vernacular newspapers,
as also the widely-read English daily ‘The Singapore Tiger Standard’, founded
by the millionaire brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par,
popularly known as the ‘Tiger Balm Kings’, Chinese schools have since long been
in existence. After World War II, they founded the Chinese University (of which
Dr. Lin Yu-tang was the first Chancellor), the main object being to keep their
ancient culture and way of life before the Singapore Chinese.
Chinese
clubs exist allover the island to cater to their social and sports needs. Of
these, the Singapore Chinese Recreation Club and Chinese Swimming Club lead the
field. In sport, they have made their mark in Malayan league cricket, football
and volley-ball. In badminton, they have provided world champions. They also
have their own cinemas and theatres, where Chinese dramas and plays are
enacted, special programmes being held during the festivals.
The
old China-town is situated in the south of the island, where the narrow streets
are lined with crowded shop-houses; drying of clothes is done on bamboo-poles
sticking out at odd angles from the upper storeys, and the smell of burning
joss-sticks dominates the air.
In
China-town, life begins in the early hours of the morning, with the pigs being
slaughtered for supply to the numerous eating-houses. Vegetable and fruit
sellers, the fish and meat-wallas and the newspaper vendors follow up in the
steadily crowding streets. The whole day is filled with an endless chatter and
din lasting into the late hours of the night. Brisk business continues in full
swing until another day is gone.
Highly
democratic, friendly and outspoken, the Singapore Chinese possess a sense of
racial pride, a thing in which they are sometimes sensitive. They are also
geniuses in arts and crafts. Chinese pottery is world renowned, while the
Chinese doll-maker is a delight to watch as his expert fingers create life-like
figures in coloured plasticine. It is common knowledge that the Chinese
generally lives next to his kitchen, which demonstrates his, characteristic
love of good food. Partial to parties, he lets himself go when entertaining his
friends and relations during festivals.
For
the last 40 years, the Haw-Par brothers donated millions for education not only
in Singapore and Malaya, but also China. Madame Lee Choon Guan became a
legendary figure due to her donations to the cause of sport. Tan Tock Seng
built hospitals for the general public, while Gan Eng Seng and Tan Boon Liat
founded schools. It is difficult to do justice to many other Chinese
philanthropists, due to lack of space.
Many
years ago, the brothers Ong Peng Hock and Ong Boon Tat firmly established
Singapore on the world tourist map, by opening amusement parks known as the
‘New World’, ‘Great World’ and ‘Happy World’. These ‘Worlds’ are invariably
parked to capacity with Singaporeans and foreign tourists, who come here to
enjoy the real Singapore spirit,–the spirit of ease, comfort and pleasure.
In
the past, some people have attempted to convey the impression
that the Malays generally dislike the Chinese. It is not always correct to say
so. The hard-working Chinese are economically better off than the Malays, and
this may account for what little dislike there may be. It is not
often known to foreigners that in private life, the Singaporeans irrespective
of race live in perfect harmony, while maintaining their respective traditions,
religion and culture. In many a Singapore home, for instance, it is not unusual
to find an Indian gardener, a Malay car-driver, a North Indian watchman and
Chinese servants living and working together.
Singapore,
a melting pot of races, where the synthesis of various cultures has been in
process for several generations, is on the way to becoming the cultural hub of
South-East Asia. But, even when such a fusion comes about, the cosmopolitan
atmosphere of Singapore will always bear a marked Chinese flavour. And so, none
can but share the humour of the originator of the, recent pseudonym for the
island-Chinkapore!
l
City of Chinese.