HAMZAH Haji Hussein (Haji)
Communities of Singapore (Part 3),
Accession Number 000900
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 9
Total Reels
- Mohd Yussoff Ahmad
Interviewer
- 04:14:40
Total Running Time
- Malay
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 9
Metadata
- 23 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:28:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Mother, from Bintan Indonesia, died 1943. Father from Glam, Johor. Father passed Primary 4, Malay school; worked as carpenter and fisherman; died 1928. Interviewee's background; passed Primary 2, Malay school, Pasir Panjang. No school uniform; barefooted. Teachers in sarong and coat; taught seriously. Teachers fierce, always with cane. Started schooling at age of 12; stopped at 14. In 1922, moved to Pulau Seraya.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 9
Metadata
- 23 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:28:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
No school in Pulau Seraya. Apprenticed as fisherman to brother. Studied Quran at night. Enjoyed daily life. Seasonal games for children: tops (gasing), kites (layang-layang), marbles. Moved to Pasir Panjang. Worked at Singapore Rubber Work for three years; salary $6. During Japanese Occupation moved to Pontian. Feared Japanese soldiers.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 9
Metadata
- 30 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:27:24
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Became farmer in Pontian. Married. Joined Japanese workforce. Bitter experiences during Japanese Occupation. Extra work as retailer. Everybody worked hard for Japanese for survival. Moved again to Pulau Seraya. Continued as fisherman. Helped grandfather who was village headman (penghulu). Monthly allowance of $5. Increased to $100. Also chairman of mosque and Pulau Seraya Management Community. Islanders supported his appointment.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 9
Metadata
- 30 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:28:14
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
In 1959-1975, appointed as village headman (penghulu). Sad at not receiving appreciation certificate and compensation. Some islanders refused resettlement. Engaged a lawyer for better compensation. Advised them to follow order to move. Glad to get more compensation than expected, better than neighbouring islanders. Moved to Jurong flat in 1976. Some ex-villagers continued as fishermen and boatmen. Later, others worked in factories and establishments. Happy with new life.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 9
Metadata
- 30 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:28:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Most children advanced in education. Some studied abroad. New environment is main reason for education. Sometimes went for fishing and boating hobby to earn more money. Satisfied as village headman. Fulfilled islanders' requests. Provided soccer facilities. Obeyed advice from Haji Ya'acob not to join any political party. Some United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and People's Action Party (PAP) supporters still accuse him of being stooge for both parties.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 9
Metadata
- 30 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:27
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Many Seraya trees in Pulau Seraya. 40-50 years ago, no development there. Gradually built mosque, school, clinic and other facilities. Some islanders from Bintan and Johor. Islanders lived peacefully; some lived there for 4 - 5 generations. Rumours that pirates operated at Tanjung Sekupang. Originally 2 - 3 families only at Pulau Seraya; increased to 70. Some islanders married to neighbouring islanders from Damar, Tekong, Pulau Brani and Singapore mainland.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Jan 1988
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Clinic to cure patients. Serious patients sent to General Hospital. Marine boat always available for service. Islanders' phobia for clinic. Slowly they obeyed his advice. Sometimes there was tension among parties' supporters in election campaign. Advised them to avoid it and live like before. Sea sport, kite, gasing and silat among favourite games of most islanders. Congkak favourite game for women.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Jan 1988
Recording Date
- 00:28:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Some islanders believed in bomoh. Since understanding of religious teachings, they stopped it. Friday prayer performed every week. Compared to neighbouring islands where it was not performed. Three imams preached; took turns. Religious big day celebrated yearly. Participated in Quran reading competition in Pulau Seraya and neighbouring islands. Mosque built on 100 square feet land donated by islanders.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Jan 1988
Recording Date
- 00:27:52
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee, wife and son, pioneers from Pulau Seraya, to go to Mecca in 100 years. Fear of difficulties in Mecca. Financial difficulties another reason. No entertainment except joget annually; introduced by promoters from Singapore mainland. Relationship among islanders good. Visited one another during Hari Raya, weddings and religious celebrations. Co-operative formed to encourage them to save. Lived in better condition, financially, socially and in education.
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