SOO Seng Guan 徐星文
Grassroots,
Accession Number 004014
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 6
Total Reels
- Kiang-Koh Lai Lin
Interviewer
- 03:23:45
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 6
Metadata
- 1 Jul 2015
Recording Date
- 00:39:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
CF 1 (1 July 2015)
Recollection of younger days staying in a shed with a few families . Described the very compact structure of the shed, how those few families lived together cohesively. Recalled the unforgettable experience when he was a young soldier during the racial riots in the 1960s.
Shared that his mother sent him to a Chinese primary school and switched to an English school later. Described some of his classmates’ behaviour in his secondary school. Recalled how he enjoyed learning Chinese from a very dedicated Chinese teacher.
Shared how he joined the army after his secondary education and signed up in the Army for 6 years. Described the strict training and what he had learned in the army. Described the graduation reception in the hotels.
Described the period after the army, when he joined his father-in-law’s business working at Johor Bahru. How they shifted back to Singapore, eventually located at Geyland Bahru Industrial Estate being as the first few tenants. How they have started up the furniture business and he how he helped out at the business development of the company. Share his plan to retire as he is 70 years old now.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 6
Metadata
- 1 Jul 2015
Recording Date
- 00:40:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
CF 2 ( 1 July 2015)
Recollection of interviewee how he had involved in grassroots community work when their furniture workshop was shifted to Geyland Bahru Industrial Estate. Described the early scene/activities of the Industrial Estate during that time. How it was started with the 7th Month Festival inviting Member of Parliament (MP) of Kolam Ayer of that area to join in the festival. Thought of forming an Association of the Industrial Estate, Kolam Ayer Community Club (CC) recommended for them to form an Area Sub-Committee (ASC). Since then he has been serving as Secretary of the ASC for 15 years. Shared how the ASC served as a bridge between the owners of the Industrial Estate, the CC, Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC) and the Housing Development Board (HDB).
Interviewee was invited by the Kolam Ayer CC to join the CC activities 7 to 8 years ago. Facilitated residents to join the community drumming. Interviewee learned Drumming lesson at Kallang CC. Recalled their first performance experience at the Kolam Ayer ABC Waterfront during the Dumpling Festival. How the Minister Dr Yaacob and 200 residents who came for the festival enjoyed the drumming session together. After that successful performance, he has formed a Drumming Interest Group at the CC, meeting monthly and drumming at the Kolam Ayer ABC Waterfront. Descripted the training they have received on Drumming. Eventually he was asked to join the Kolam Ayer CCC and Kolam Ayer Community Club Management Committee (CCMC) as Committee members. Currently he also serves as vice-chairman of the Active Ageing Committee (AAC).
Recalled the history of the Live Band Interest Group he has set up at Kolam Ayer CC. Elaborated the activities and administrative/operation processes of the weekly Live Band sessions at the CC.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 6
Metadata
- 1 Jul 2015
Recording Date
- 00:35:03
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
CF 3 ( 1 July 2015)
Interviewee shared how the Community Club (CC) could reach out to the youths. He recalled during his youthful time the activities/games enjoyed by the youths then. He compared what the present youth lacked socially and suggested a few ways/activities motivate the youths of nowadays.
Interviewee elaborated the challenges he faced while serving in the community as a grassroots leader. Described some special projects he had done at the CC, for example he has set up the live- sized pictures of the members of different interest groups as well as children of different races with multiracial costumes at the roof top front entrance of the CC.
Elaborated another project during last year PAssionArt month, he has set up a miniature Pond with fishes and blocks of Housing Development Board (HDB)’s flats which involved the children to paint on the flats.
Interviewee shared his reflection. Shared about his family and his two children. Showed Appreciation on what his wife has done for him.
Mentioned Kolam Ayer is a good place to stay in, Grassroots Adviser, Dr Yaacob has done a great job for the community at Kolam Ayer. Shared the good facilities and the new 142 Bus service. His wishes for Kolam Ayer and Singapore.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 6
Metadata
- 26 Aug 2015
Recording Date
- 00:39:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
CF 4 ( 26 Aug 2015)
Recollection of details memories of interviewee living in a shed in Geylang area during his childhood day, the kampong day. Recalled during his teenage year, how his family had shifted to Housing Development Board (HDB)’s flat at Macpherson area under the government rental scheme.
Described how he was switched to Chinese to English school after studying in the Chinese school for 3 years. Recalled the subjects he has studied in Silat Secondary School. Glad that he took up Health Science at that time. Described his interest in learning Chinese and compliment goes to his Chinese teacher who has nurtured him and motivated him in Chinese literature. He shared how the younger generation could enjoy learning Chinese.
Interviewee shared the activities he had with 3 of his close friends. Shared activities at the 3 entertainment outlets, Great World, New World and Happy World during his time.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 6
Metadata
- 26 Aug 2015
Recording Date
- 00:36:09
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
CF 5 ( 26 Aug 2015)
Recollection of Army Days in 1968- how he was influenced by a friend to join the army. Described the recruitment drive in the Army. The selection criteria and the pay at the Army. Described in details the living conditions in the army and the facilities in the army. Recalled the type of training and the challenges they have gone through during trainings. The discipline in the army and the reasons of punishment and the types of punishment at the platoon.
Described how the Israelis serve as consultant and not really involved in the training. The relationship and communication between the Israelis and the local trainers. Described the hierarchy and the structure of the army.
Described how the soldiers in avoiding Regimental Sargent Mayor (RSM) to avoid being caught and listed examples of the way they were disciplined. Elaborated how the section bond with each other during the training.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 6
Metadata
- 26 Aug 2015
Recording Date
- 00:12:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
CF 6 ( 26 Aug 2015)
Recollection of happy moment being invited to his trainees’ yearly graduation receptions as a trainer/instructor. He enjoyed the reception in the hotels and the ballroom dancing being organised.
Described the most memorable event during one of the graduation receptions was held in City Hall, where he was there marching in front of Mr Lee Kuan Yew as an advance party.
He shared that he has learned a lot from the Army, how the army made him a better citizen and being a more balanced personality.
Described after his 6 years army life, he worked at his Father-in-law’s furniture shop where the shop was eventually forced to relocate to Geylang Bahru Industrial Estate. Described how business picked up slowly by word of mouth. Recalled the support given by Prof John Quah, a Prof of Social Study and his family that helped him to build confidence in his furniture business.
Shared his thoughts on SG50. What he looks forward for the future of Singapore.
Elaborated what is Inter- Racial Confident Circle (IRCC) and described the programmes organised by IRCC. Shared how the IRCC could move forward.
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