Chronicles of Old Singapore

Loh Kah Seng
  • 5.0 (1)
  • History
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I’m Dr Loh KS, a people’s historian. I’m interested in the history of Singapore and the lives of its people. In Chronicles of Old Singapore, I speak to people about their memories of Singapore before it became a global city today. We discuss three topics: 1. People and places. 2. Change and continuity. 3. The importance of heritage. Caveat: this is a podcast based on personal memory. As has been well-documented in oral history, memory is not always reliable and what is recalled here should not be taken as fact.

  1. 3d ago

    Matthew Lui – Part 3 Cable Car Tragedy | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. In 1983, Matthew Lui was a PSA office pilot in the cable car towers. On 29 June, upon finishing his watch, a series of unexpected events unfolded to cause one of the worst accidents in Singapore’s history – the cable car crash and the deaths of seven people. Matthew draws from the commission of inquiry’s report to recount the accident and the rescue operation. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/10ykZ-kUKME Part 2 | https://youtu.be/tm7BLGRysIE Part 3 | https://youtu.be/cmg1KDdGzic 00:00 Murphy’s Law 06:03 The Fateful Day 13:36 Rescue 18:12 Reflections on the Accident 22:41 Reflections on Sailing Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Collision of the Drillship Eniwetok with the Sentosa Cableway on 29 January 1983, https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/book-detail?cmsuuid=cc879855-d090-42b3-95e6-14119d5375ed Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Matthew Lui – Part 3 Cable Car Tragedy | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  2. 6d ago

    Sukhdev Singh Gill – Sikhs, Jagas & Policemen Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Sukhdev Singh Gill spent 32 years in the Singapore Police Force. He offers his honest views on questions arising from the evolution of the force – why were neighbourhood police posts so important (and do we really need police complexes), why do people call the police on all kinds of matters, and is the police force facing a manpower shortage today? Part 1 | https://youtu.be/yrwMp7NRj0Y Part 2 | https://youtu.be/Vowo8sDLBmk Part 3 | https://youtu.be/p-uLp9hkWBg Part 4 | https://youtu.be/QOjXxK6UxtI 00:00 The Police Academy 04:19 Learning the Law 06:09 A New Police Force 09:45 Posts to Complexes 13:59 Neighbourhood Police Posts 19:30 Lee Kuan Yew’s Role 21:15 Calling the Police 25:47 Undermanned 30:37 With the People Sukhdev’s books: Boh cheng hoo: a Sikh boy in Hokkien gangland https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=d9a97a7b-3534-5db2-9281-f87020349847&entityType=FormatGroup Bang cheng hoo: a Sikh man in SG police force https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=620f135a-c12b-5ded-9b00-d747bb46962a&entityType=FormatGroup Gong cheng hoo: a Sikh elder in Sulawesi & SG politics https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=8a184efd-f699-595e-8896-64910dc74851&entityType=FormatGroup Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Sukhdev Singh Gill – Sikhs, Jagas & Policemen Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  3. Sep 9

    Gary Koh – Pioneer Women Footballers of Singapore Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Gary Koh, a historian of Singapore football, talks about the origins of the women’s game from the 1960s to the early 1980s. Our pioneer Lionesses were drawn from all walks of life – the university, public service and MNCs. Despite the lack of funding and support, they became a dominant force in the Puan Sharifah Rodziah Cup, the women’s version of the Malaysia Cup. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/ilmPmbx61yQ Part 2 | https://youtu.be/LhAarwfOO64 00:00 Introduction 03:28 Researching Women’s Football 08:53 The 1960s 14:34 Ban in Britain 15:26 Women’s Charter 21:39 The 1970s 26:46 Financial Struggles 29:46 Business Houses 33:11 Dominance in Malaysia Coach Choo Seng Quee, a Giant of Singapore Football https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/all-sections/vol-19-issue-3-oct-dec-2023-choo-seng-quee-football-coach/ ROAR: Football Legends of Singapore https://pagesetters.sg/ROAR/ A princely endeavour: Meet Chelsea's rising star who's Bruneian royalty https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/princely-endeavour-meet-chelseas-rising-star-whos-bruneian-royalty Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Gary Koh – Pioneer Women Footballers of Singapore Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  4. Sep 6

    Loh Kah Seng – The British Bases Part 1 Little Britains, Hidden Asias | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. The 56 British military bases in 1960s Singapore were Little Britains – miniature townships filled with non-military facilities for the British servicemen and their families. They were also Hidden Asias, for it was the Asians who made the bases functional – from clerks and policemen to the amah and shopkeepers. The British bases were vital to Singapore’s defence and economy. Together, they were a huge piece of real estate, comprising more than a tenth of the island’s land area and a fifth of its GNP. 00:00 The ‘Asian’ Bases 01:50 Washington Conference 03:25 Real Estate 06:21 Defence Strategy 07:22 Employment 12:38 Base Villages 13:45 Townships 15:08 Naval Base 18:25 Asian Naval Base 21:35 RAF Seletar 22:28 RAF Tengah 22:45 RAF Changi 24:13 Pasir Panjang Base 27:52 Pulau Blakang Mati 28:45 Pulau Brani 30:47 Outro Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Loh Kah Seng – The British Bases Part 1 Little Britains, Hidden Asias | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  5. Sep 2

    Jeffrey Eng – Teochew Qiaopi of Singapore & China Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Jeffrey Eng remembers his family’s business at 15 Merchant Road in the heart of Teochew Chinatown, Eng Tiang Huat (named after his grandfather, the founder). This was a shop dealing in ‘Chinese cultural goods’, from traditional musical instruments to embroidery and martial weapons. Jeffrey took over the business after National Service instead of starting his own career. He soon developed a love for the trade as well as the cultural goods. He talks about his elders’ advice: never take bank loans to expand the business, but invest in the family. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/WdXYrCIj3UI Part 2 | https://youtu.be/H95nfHI9yrM Part 3 | https://youtu.be/89Vj7nBG3s4 00:00 Shopkeepers of Chinatown 06:05 Variations in Teochew 10:31 The Eng Tiang Huat Shop 17:31 Supporting the Home Family 20:58 Taking Over the Business 29:13 No Bank Loans! Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Jeffrey Eng – Teochew Qiaopi of Singapore & China Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  6. Aug 30

    Tony O’Dempsey – Forests of Singapore Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Conservationist Tony O’Dempsey aka Uncle Tony talks about the history of the conservation movement in Singapore and how the Nature Society of Singapore adopted a moderate science-based approach – ‘wisdom and pleasant speech’ – to engage the government. Today, as new housing projects target our diminishing forests at the Gillman Barracks, Maju and Sunset Way, this dialogue will be more relevant than ever. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/_vjE_suS99E Part 2 | https://youtu.be/klLBlvczE3M 00:00 Beginning of Conservation 04:26 Nature Society of Singapore 08:15 People’s Relationship with Forests 11:28 Wisdom & Pleasant Speech 15:26 People’s Role in Conservation 19:48 Gillman Barracks 25:19 Nature & Heritage 31:30 New Book Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Tony O’Dempsey – Forests of Singapore Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  7. Aug 27

    Winston Wong – Gillman Barracks, Combat Engineers & Heritage Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Winston Wong talks about the Gillman Barracks not as a standalone British base, but as part of the massive Pasir Panjang-Ayer Rajah Military Complex. It was a transit camp for the School of Combat Engineers, which moved out in a few years. As we discuss the likely environmental and historical impact of the HDB’s plan to redevelop Gillman around nature, Winston is concerned that it would be difficult to strike a balance between heritage, nature and development. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/41X1lZL5CBM Part 2 | https://youtu.be/RtRWXt9orDY 00:00 The Buildings Today 07:09 R&D 11:47 Ayer Rajah Military Complex 13:37 The Mudslide 14:47 Notorious Reputation 16:10 Transit Camp 20:10 The HDB Plans 24:18 The Footprint Issue 29:14 Combat Engineers’ Heritage Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Winston Wong – Gillman Barracks, Combat Engineers & Heritage Part 2 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

  8. Aug 23

    Sukhdev Singh Gill – Sikhs, Jagas & Policemen Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore

    Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Sukhdev Singh Gill joined the Singapore Police Force in 1969. He remembers his father, who was a jaga (watchman) for various employers, and the formidable Sikh jagas in the old days. He talks about key Sikh temples in Singapore and how important they were for the Sikh groups. Part 1 | https://youtu.be/yrwMp7NRj0Y Part 2 | https://youtu.be/Vowo8sDLBmk Part 3 | https://youtu.be/p-uLp9hkWBg Part 4 | https://youtu.be/QOjXxK6UxtI 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Joining the Police Force 03:19 My Parents 08:27 The Sikhs as Jagas 11:48 The Kaurs 18:08 Outdoors 21:17 Sikh Temples 28:30 Economic Role of Temples 32:25 My Trilogy Sukhdev’s books: Boh cheng hoo: a Sikh boy in Hokkien gangland https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=d9a97a7b-3534-5db2-9281-f87020349847&entityType=FormatGroup Bang cheng hoo: a Sikh man in SG police force https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=620f135a-c12b-5ded-9b00-d747bb46962a&entityType=FormatGroup Gong cheng hoo: a Sikh elder in Sulawesi & SG politics https://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/search/card?id=8a184efd-f699-595e-8896-64910dc74851&entityType=FormatGroup Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian, and I document people’s memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot. Write to lkshis@gmail.com if you have any of these stories: • Old places or kampongs. • Communities – their way of life & culture. • Childhood & schools. • Work or business. YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore

    Sukhdev Singh Gill – Sikhs, Jagas & Policemen Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
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Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. I’m Dr Loh KS, a people’s historian. I’m interested in the history of Singapore and the lives of its people. In Chronicles of Old Singapore, I speak to people about their memories of Singapore before it became a global city today. We discuss three topics: 1. People and places. 2. Change and continuity. 3. The importance of heritage. Caveat: this is a podcast based on personal memory. As has been well-documented in oral history, memory is not always reliable and what is recalled here should not be taken as fact.

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