History
of Ubin
Settlement
of Ubin
The Malay village of Kampung Surau was founded by Encik Endut Senin
who originally came from Kampung Kallang near the Kallang River. He
sought the permission of the Sultan (then at Kampung Glam Palace)
to live on the island, which at that time, had no name. 50 other Malay
families later joined him to form a thriving Malay community at Kampung
Melayu, Kampung Sungei Durian and Kampung Surau.
Attracted by the good fishing and farming on the island, the Chinese
also came to Ubin and settled at Ubin Town and Kampung Jelutong. 25
families were the first to settle, followed by others as industries
such as granite quarrying took off.
Ubin was once a bustling settlement, with a school
and other amenities. Among its interesting historical sites is House
No. 1 near Chek Jawa. There are also temples
and shrines rich in history. Ubin Town
itself is full of history.
Ubin in World War II
Pulau Ubin was the first point of landing by the Japanese on 7 Feb
1942. Opening fire on mainland's north-east coast, they gave the impression
of an impending attack from that direction. Thinking that the Japanese
intended to invade Singapore from the northeast, the British moved
precious stocks of defence supplies like petrol and explosives from
the northwest to the northeast. However, the Japanese main assault
was on the north-west coast instead, encountering only minimal resistance.
According to an account, the Headman Lim Chye Joo recalls that intially
there were clashes between the Teochews and Hokkiens. However, during
the Japanese occupation, the two groups stopped bickering and banded
together as Chinese. The Malays and Chinese have also gotten on well
and there were no major incidents between the groups even during the
racial riots of 1964.
Back
to exploring Ubin
Links
- Pulau
Batu Ubin (Granite Stone Island) by Betty Khoo: a brief review
of the history of Ubin from prehistory to today from Pulau
Ubin Special in Nature Watch, Jul-Sep 1995, Nature Watch is a
magazine of the Nature Society (Singapore)
- The
Spirited Pioneers by Betty Khoo about some longtime Ubin residents
and theirs lives and adventures on Ubin including the village
headman Lim Chye Joo; deputy headman Ali Bin Montail, Mdm Lim
Kim Ching and Mdm Tan Soong Cheng from Pulau Ubin Special in Nature
Watch, Jul-Sep 1995, Nature Watch is a magazine of the Nature
Society (Singapore)
- 1942
Battlefield Singapore on the National Archives of Singapore
website: lots of details, photos, film footage and maps on the
war.
- The
Background to the Changi Murals by P. W. Stubbs: a chronology
with photos.
- The
Story of Changi by Carol Cooper on The Children (& Families)
of the Far East Prisoners of War website: detailed descriptions
of British plans and works on defensive positions at Changi and
how it was used under the Japanese Occupation.
References
- Chua
Ee Kiam, Pulau Ubin: Ours to Treasure, Simply Green, 2000
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