Don's Reflections

After having walked through Kampong Glam for the third time in my life, I am pretty glad that many aspects of early Singapore have been preserved. If it was not for the 1989 conservation plan, Kampong Glam could have been dug up and transformed into a urbanized area just like any other urbanized land. It was through this plan that heritage sites like the former Istana, Sultan Mosque and shophouses have been preserved.

I especially thought well of the idea to fusion traditional with modern trade. This was done by restoring the shophouses which used to exist as living quarters and converting them for commercial use. Many of these restored shophouses were turned into contemporary diners and fashion boutiques. At the same time, the traditional trade such as the selling of textiles and haj items was also preserved.

However, what I was disappointed with was that I could not find the Pondok Java! How was it possible that it was torn down in 2004 when there was a conservation plan in 1989? If it was not for a map that I had managed to find at Bussorah Street, I would have never known that such a place ever existed.

This made me realise how delicate history is. It could be there today and gone the next without anyone knowing. And if no proper documentation, archival or dissemination was done, history can just fade away with time. Therefore, it is important to leave traces behind for the generations to come. Otherwise, they will be left with untraceable roots and have little knowledge of their origins.

This reflection leads me to a suggestion. Which is to hang up plaques to commemorate or describe places that use to have historical significance. These plaques could also be opened up for citizens to purchase upon donating a sum of money to remind their generations to come of where did their ancestors used to live.

Our heritage is so prone to dissolve in the quick-to-evolve society of Singapore and it is time that we leave some traces behind for our future generations.