BONG, Anthony Kim Siong
The Public Service,
Accession Number 001398
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 7
Total Reels
- Daniel Chew (Dr)
Interviewer
- 03:11:40
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 7
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:20
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:18) Family background. Attended Anglo-Chinese School.
(0:03:42) Stayed in Penang Road, at quarters for government servants.
(0:09:58) Penang Road was a laterite road with bullock carts and rickshaws.
(0:11:56) Memories of going to school with 2 cents. Travelled by tramway.
(0:13:04) Descriptions of childhood games like throwing stones, playing with marbles, and gambling with coins.
(0:20:00) His father died at the age of 80.
(0:24:20) The Household had three servants. One for cooking, one for house cleaning, and another whose duties were unknown.
Family background. Stayed in Penang Road, at quarters for government servants. Laterite road, with bullock carts and rickshaws. Went to school with 2 cents. Travelled by tramway. Childhood games. Parents' dress. Household had three servants.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 7
Metadata
- 11 Jan 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:05
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:30) His interest in sports during his school days, including swimming, table tennis, football, cricket, and hockey.
(0:02:39) Description of prominent landmarks in Orchard Road, Government House, Pavillion Theatre, Orchard Road Market and Emerald Hill.
(0:09:42) Recounted entertainment at his time. Some gambling and cinemas.
(0:12:05) He learned ballroom dancing, often practising with friends who were also learning.
(0:19:39) Subjects studied at Anglo-Chinese School.
(0:24:46) Chapel assemblies held every Monday and weekly literary society meetings at school.
(0:29:29) Applied for a job at the Malayan Establishment Office.
Games played. Prominent landmarks, Government House, Pavillion Theatre, Orchard Road Market and Emerald Hill. Penang Road from 1920s to 1950s. Went to amusement parks. Learned dancing. Subjects studied at Anglo-Chinese School. School life. Applied for job at Malayan Establishment Office.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 7
Metadata
- 5 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:02:30) Looked after passages, postings and allowances at the Colonial Secretary's Office.
(0:04:16) Went to the Padang after work to watch games like football, rugby, and hockey.
(0:06:31) The respect given to European employees. Addressed European officers as "Sir".
(0:12:04) Prior to the war, asked to become an Air-raid Precaution warden.
(0:15:45) No racial distinction among junior civil servants during the war.
(0:19:19) Promotion prospects for clerical officers from the cleric grade to a special grade.
(0:23:32) Reminisced about spending weekends and holidays at government bungalows, where they entertained relatives and friends.
Looked after passages, postings and allowances at Colonial Secretary's Office. Went to Padang after work. Address European officers as "Sir". Prior to war, asked to become Air-raid Precaution warden. No racial distinction among junior civil servants. Promotion prospects for clerical officers.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 7
Metadata
- 5 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:52) The British surrendered to the Japanese on 1st day of Chinese New Year.
(0:06:57) Recounted how he was being questioned and directed by Japanese soldiers during the evacuation.
(0:11:54) Collected pass at City Hall to escape, claiming to be a government servant to gain safe passage.
(0:17:38) How he reported for work. His work involved typing Japanese texts.
(0:24:03) Amusement parks turned into gambling farms.
(0:27:30) Did black marketing. Buying and reselling a suit for profit.
British surrender to Japanese on 1st day of Chinese New Year. Vacated quarters. Went to camp at Hill Street. Collected pass at City Hall. How he reported for work. Scarcity of food. Amusement parks turned into gambling farms. Did black marketing.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 7
Metadata
- 18 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:01:18) During the British Military Administration (BMA) time, worked for few months in Kuala Lumpur.
(0:04:10) Returned to work at the Colonial Secretary's Office.
(0:06:33) His job involved naturalisation and banishment. Anecdotes about rejecting naturalisation applications based on character assessments.
(0:12:24) Locals gaining more respect and opportunities within the civil service.
(0:14:36) The living conditions during the British Military Administration (BMA) period.
(0:22:00) Transferred to Public Works Department (PWD). Did personnel work.
During British Military Administration (BMA) time, worked for few months in Kuala Lumpur. Returned to work at Colonial Secretary's Office. Changing attitudes of the British. Transferred to Public Works Department (PWD). Did personnel work. Maria Hertogh riot.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 7
Metadata
- 18 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:19) He was posted to the Prime Minister's Office from the Public Works Department (PWD).
(0:02:15) Looked after the general office and handled visitors and general correspondence.
(0:08:02) Anecdote about the Prime Minister's request for the specific beer, including contacting various suppliers and ultimately procuring it.
(0:12:36) Went to the Land Office, In charge of finance and budgeting
(0:18:13) Emphasized the importance of tracking annual expenses and justifying budget requests.
(0:22:21) His impression of Stanley Stewart.
Posted to Prime Minister's Office. Looked after general office, handled visitors and general correspondence. Went to Land Office. In charge of finance and budgetting.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 7
Metadata
- 18 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:06:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:01:58) Differences in working life before the war and after.
(0:05:09) The perception of Singapore as having better conditions and opportunities.
Differences in working life before the war and after.
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