VIJIARATNAM, Arumugam (Dr)
The Public Service,
Accession Number 002439
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 9
Total Reels
- Jason Lim (Dr)
Interviewer
- 04:18:03
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 9
Metadata
- 23 Oct 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:26) Family and personal background.
(0:04:03) How he got interested in soccer.
(0:07:43) Missed the orientation programme at Raffles Institution and joined Victoria School (VS). (0:09:55) Impressions of Changi.
(0:13:07) Impression of teachers at VS.
(0:13:55) He played hockey, cricket, rugby, and football at VS.
(0:18:46) The reason he joined Public Works Department (PWD)
(0:19:03) There were no Asian engineers at the Public Works Department (PWD).
(0:22:12) Attended evening classes in commerce.
(0:21:12) Joined as a temporary clerk at the Commissioner for Estate Duties' office.
(0:26:09) Received a scholarship and studied at Technical College in Kuala Lumpur.
(0:28:14) Finished my course in 1944.
(0:29:44) Impression of the Japanese in the 1930s.
*Family background. Arrived in Singapore in 1932. Father lived in Changi. Missed the orientation programme at Raffles Institution and joined Victoria School (VS). Impressions of Changi. Impression of teachers at VS. Involvement in soccer and rugby at VS. Played for Combined Schools in cricket. No Asian engineers at Public Works Department (PWD). Attended evening classes in commerce. Joined as a temporary clerk at the Commissioner for Estate Duties' office. Studied at Technical College in Kuala Lumpur. Continued his studies during the Japanese Occupation. Impression of the Japanese in the 1930s.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 9
Metadata
- 23 Oct 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:53) Shocked by the rough and tough nature of the military during the Japanese Occupation compared to the polite Japanese civilians in the 1930s.
(0:03:46) The Japanese were spies and worked in the department stores.
(0:04:57) Moved to Taiping in 1945.
(0:05:30) Described life during the Japanese Occupation.
(0:07:35) Studied and underwent tough training at Koa Kunrenjo.
(0:10:28) Money in the post office accounts was limited to $100 withdrawals during the Japanese occupation.
(0:13:54) Subjects he took at Technical College.
(0:16:10) He did the London Matriculation before the war.
(0:19:31) Completed a Structural Engineering examination.
(0:23:23) Went to Brighton College of Technology on a scholarship.
(0:26:17) Membership of the Institute of Structural Engineers exempted graduates from additional papers.
(0:28:01) Impressions of lecturers and played cricket and hockey at Brighton.
*Comparison of the Japanese civilians in the 1930s and the military during the Japanese Occupation. Moved to Taiping in 1945. Life during the Japanese Occupation. Studying at Koa Kundrensho. Returned to Technical College to re-do his studies when the Japanese surrendered. Value of Japanese currency. Subjects he took at Technical College. Completed a Structural Engineering examination. Went to Brighton College of Technology on a scholarship. Membership into the Institute of Structural Engineers. Impressions of lecturers and played cricket and hockey at Brighton.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 9
Metadata
- 23 Oct 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:53
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:40) Described his living arrangement at Brighton.
(0:03:10) Worked as Assistant Engineer at Coode & Partners in London.
(0:04:14) Worked on port projects.
(0:06:54) Returned to Singapore and rejoined the Public Works Department (PWD) as a civil engineer.
(0:07:41) Promoted to senior engineer in the design and research department.
(0:08:14) Recalled young engineers who worked under him.
(0:09:42) Promotion prospects of engineers prior to Malayanisation.
(0:10:42) Posted to the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) as Director (Engineering) in 1964.
(0:15:55) Removed European engineers from PSA.
(0:16:41) Building up the Engineering Division.
(0:18:22) He got his engineers recognised by the World Bank.
(0:19:58) Recalled getting exemption from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to design and supervise the Pacific Panjang Wharves project by themselves.
(0:22:32) His work in China project.
(0:26:34) Worked as a port consultant overseas from 1976 to 1985.
(0:28:59) Supervised construction of the Container Terminal at PSA in 1970.
*Accommodation at Brighton. Worked as Assistant Engineer at Coode & Partners in London. Returned to Singapore and rejoined Public Works Department (PWD) as a civil engineer. Started the PWD Design & Research Department in 1960. Promotion prospects of engineers prior to Malayanisation. Responsibilities at PWD. Posted to Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) as Director (Engineering) in 1964. Removal of European engineers from PSA. Building up the Engineering Division. Worked as a port consultant overseas from 1976 to 1985. Supervised construction of the Container Terminal at PSA in 1970.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 9
Metadata
- 23 Oct 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:01:24) Took over and supervised construction of the Container Terminal at the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) in 1970.
(0:02:15) Problems faced during construction.
(0:04:34) He went around the world looking at different ports.
(0:07:53) The container port was completed and opened.
(0:10:53) Highlighted the importance of efficiency to turn around the ships.
(0:13:55) Went to a joint venture with a Belgian contractor for reclamation works in Singapore.
(0:15:27) Enlargement of islands and reefs.
(0:16:47) Model of reclamation project built in Poona in India.
(0:21:28) Involvement as a Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) Board Member from 1969 to 1972.
(0:23:06) Mentioned the projects planned by JTC.
(0:26:44) Formation of SPECS Consultants Pte. Ltd. in 1981.
(0:29:47) His work as Director (Engineering) at PSA and Chairman of SPECS Consultants.
*Supervised construction of the Container Terminal at Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) in 1970. Problems faced during construction. Enlargement of islands and reefs. Model of reclamation project built in Poona in India. Involvement as a Board Member of the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) from 1969 to 1972. Formation of SPECS Consultants Pte. Ltd. in 1981. His work as Director (Engineering) at PSA and Chairman of SPECS Consultants.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 9
Metadata
- 26 Jan 2001
Recording Date
- 00:30:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:27) Projects undertaken as Director (Engineering) at the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA).
(0:02:27) Formed the Regional Dredging Corporation.
(0:04:53) Land reclamation for an airport and seaport at Changi in 1978.
(0:08:40) Work in China was under SPECS Consultants.
(0:10:33) SPECS Consultants’ works in Fiji and Mauritius.
(0:12:05) Work of Port & Marine Services Pte. Ltd.
(0:14:03) His role as the president of Keppel Club.
(0:15:25) Mentioned the background and history of the Institute of Engineers (IES).
(0:16:19) His role as the president of IES.
(0:17:29) His role as the president of the Port Authority Recreation Club (PARC).
(0:19:14) His work as a committee member of the Singapore Polytechnic Engineering Advisory Committee.
(0:22:35) Role as Director of the Singapore Cable Car Pte. Ltd. and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).
(0:26:26) Development of Sentosa between 1975 and 1981.
*Projects undertaken as Director (Engineering) at the Port of Singapore Authority and Chairman of SPECS Consultants. Land reclamation for an airport and seaport at Changi in 1978. Port consultancy work overseas. Work of Port & Marine Services Pte. Ltd. Role in Keppel Club, Institute of Engineers (IES), Port Authority Recreation Club (PARC) and the Singapore Polytechnic Engineering Advisory Committee. Role as Director of the Singapore Cable Car Pte. Ltd. and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC). Development of Sentosa.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 9
Metadata
- 26 Jan 2001
Recording Date
- 00:30:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:31) Elaborated further on his role as Chairman, Director, and Member in various organisations.
(0:01:17) Retired from PSA in 1981.
(0:01:23) Became Executive Chairman of SPECS Consultants in 1981.
(0:02:21) Role as a Member of the Liquor Licensing Board.
(0:06:07) The reason he was in the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB).
(0:07:21) Work of SPECS Consultants.
(0:10:35) Appointed as Commissioner to investigate the collapse of Hotel New World.
(0:14:20) Described the proceedings, findings, and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the collapse of Hotel New World in 1986.
(0:17:34) Introduction of accredited checkers.
(0:18:47) Application process and responsibility of accredited checkers.
(0:24:20) Report compiled by L P Thean.
(0:26:05) Role as a member of the Singapore Science Council.
(0:28:47) Appointed Pro-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University in 1992.
*Role as Chairman, Director and Member in various organisations. Role as a Member of the Liquor Licensing Board and Hindu Endowments Board (HEB). Work of SPECS Consultants. Impression of the proceedings, findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the collapse of Hotel New World in 1986. Introduction of accredited checkers. Registration and responsibility of accredited checkers. Report compiled by L P Thean. Role as a member of the Singapore Science Council. Appointed Pro-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University in 1992.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 9
Metadata
- 26 Jan 2001
Recording Date
- 00:30:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:01:26) His responsibilities as Pro-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
(0:02:49) He was appointed to the Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) in 1994.
(0:05:03) The project he has been doing after he retired from SPECS Consultants in 1995.
(0:08:03) Involved in arbitration work in engineering disputes.
(0:09:46) Appointed Chairman of Tamil Murasu in 1995.
(0:13:35) Early interest in soccer, rugby, cricket and hockey.
(0:15:40) There was no private tuition at that time.
(0:17:05) Recalled A L Henry, his role model in soccer.
(0:19:24) There were no coaches at that time.
(0:23:00) Format of the Malaya Cup in 1948.
(0:26:02) Organisation of football teams in Singapore in the 1940s.
(0:28:05) Played soccer for the Students Association in Brighton.
*Appointment as Pro-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in 1992 and into the Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) in 1994. What he has been doing since 1995. Arbitration in engineering disputes. Appointed Chairman of Tamil Murasu in 1995. Early interest in soccer, rugby, cricket and hockey. A L Henry was his role model in soccer. Football teams had no coaches. Selection of the first team. Format of the Malaya Cup in 1948. Organisation of football teams in Singapore in the 1940s. Played soccer for the Students Association in Brighton. Racial teams and their supporters.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 9
Metadata
- 26 Jan 2001
Recording Date
- 00:29:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:01:29) Described the full crowd in the stadium in the 1940s.
(0:02:10) China teams came to play football.
(0:03:45) Recalled that he was the first Indian to play for Singapore.
(0:04:49) Recalled beating Singapore Navy at 7-1.
(0:05:59) Had to get their own equipment.
(0:07:41) Played cricket for Singapore Civilians and the Singapore state team.
(0:11:25) Selection process for Singapore Civilians.
(0:13:05) Played rugby for the "All Blues" and the Selangor state team.
(0:15:09) Played hockey for both Selangor and Singapore state teams.
(0:15:20) Had to buy their own equipment as well and there was no coach for hockey.
(0:18:26) Recollections of playing hockey for the Singapore state team in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
(0:22:06) Recalled players in the state hockey team.
(0:25:11) Public reception of the Olympic team.
(0:26:24) Retirement from sports by 1959.
(0:28:31) Reflections on his sports career.
*Popularity of soccer in Singapore in the 1940s. International matches. Players in the state soccer team. Had to get their own equipment. Played cricket for Singapore Civilians and the Singapore state team. Played rugby for the "All Blues" and the Selangor state team. Played hockey for both Selangor and Singapore state teams. No coach for hockey. Recollections of playing hockey for the Singapore state team in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. Players in the state hockey team. Public reception of the Olympic team. Retirement from sports by 1959. Reflections on his sports career.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 9
Metadata
- 26 Jan 2001
Recording Date
- 00:14:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:02:21) Reflections on his wins and achievements.
(0:02:31) He did not follow the soccer game after he retired from it.
(0:03:30) Formation of the Ex-National Soccer Players Club and was its President from 1979 to 1989.
(0:05:43) Why he was not interested in the S-League.
(0:06:43) He followed the foreign football.
(0:08:16) Why Arsenal FC was popular in Malaya and Singapore in the 1930s.
(0:13:17) Satisfied with his career.
(0:14:02) Awarded as ASEAN Engineer of the Year.
(0:01:26) Changes in the port since his retirement.
(0:01:26) Highlights of his career in the port.
*Reflections on his sports career. Formation of the Ex-National Soccer Players Club and was its President from 1979 to 1989. Why he is not interested in the S-League. Why Arsenal FC was popular in Malaya and Singapore in the 1930s. His future plans. Changes in the port since his retirement. Highlights of his career in the port.
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