Holding firmly to the Singapore Pledge

Today, Singapore celebrates the 44th year of Independence. Happy Birthday Singapore! Happy National Day Singaporeans! It is time to say the Singapore Pledge – ''Say what you mean. Mean what you say''.

The Singapore Pledge

We, the citizens of Singapore,
Pledge ourselves as one united people,
Regardless of race, language or religion,
To build a democratic society,
Based on justice and equality,
So as to achieve happiness,
Prosperity and progress for our nation.

The Singapore Pledge was written in 1966 by the late S.Rajaratnam. From that year onwards, students in primary, secondary and post-secondary recite the Singapore pledge after singing the National Anthem during flag ceremony at the beginning of every school day. Every year during the National Day Celebration, Singaporeans say the pledge at the National Day Parade.

Today, after more than four decades, the words in the pledge are still strong holding Singaporeans together as one united nation, continuing to work for prosperity and progress so as to keep on achieving peace, stability and happiness. The words need not be updated for they still speak strongly to the Singaporeans. Indeed, the Singapore pledge is the Singaporeans' National identity in which the ideas, sentiment and spirit in it speaks to the Singaporeans through the years.

Present days Singapore is greatly different from it's past. Singapore had progressed so much through the years; from a trading port into a city-state with strong reserves; from having a very small defense force, relying on the British during the early years, to having robust defense force that is one of the most modern and cohesive in the world. Indeed, Singaporeans had gone through hard times and good times together, moving beyond the three Ps; Peace, Prosperity and Progress to the five Cs; Cash, Credit Card, Career, Car, and Condo.

Singaporeans have been staying united since the early days of independence, building the country, fighting together as one nation against poverty in the 1960s, working hard for developments in 1970s, coping with economic recessions in the 1980s, combating the currency crisis in 1997, battling against SARs in 2003 and now continuing working together, staying vigilant against H1N1 while at the same time, together they are coping up with the economic recession.

Personally, the pledge had worked well for me. I am truly thankful to Almighty Allah for giving me the chance to be part of Singapore’s transformation into one of a World-Class city. I was born in Singapore during the 1960s when Singapore was struggling to rise up to build an independent country. I was there in the 1970s as a student with an aspiration to make a difference when Singapore was progressing and developing rapidly, moving forward leaving the other Third World countries. I was there in the 1980s and 1990s joining the work force in full swing contributing to the economy of Singapore. And now here I am, truly transformed and all grown-up as mature as my Singapore, living in it peacefully in total happiness enjoying the fruits of success.

Truly, Singapore is my homeland. I am proud to be called Singaporean. I am proud to hold a pink NRIC with ''Race: Boyanese" printed on it. I feel blessed to have forefathers, the immigrants from Bawean Island, who were brave to undertake the chances of many uncertainties against all odds in an attempt to make a difference, choosing Singapore as the homeland of their future generations. If these pioneer immigrants did not take the chances, Singaporeans of Baweanese descent, will not be what they are today! I will not be what I am today!

... my Singapore

This is home truly
Where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me
Where the river always flows

This is home surely
As my senses tell me
This is where I won't be alone
For this is where I know it's home

(Extracted from Singapore National Day Song – 'Home' by Kit Chan)

My Memories of Sungai Rokam

Jalan Sungai Rokam and Jalan Dato' Keramat are the two places in Malaysia that I am familiar with, in connection to my Baweanese roots. These are the two places where the early generation of my ancestors used to settle when they first came to the Malay Peninsula. Flashes of memories I had with my relatives still remain lingering in my mind. Memories of my visits to their homes during childhood keep coming back as I refreshes them by looking back at the pictures in my dad's photo album.

(Aunt Nuri and Aunt Yati - Sungai Rokam1970s)

I remember basking under the hot afternoon sun of Ipoh, playing with the other Baweanese kids in the playground until I got myself tanned. They spoke the Baweanese language fluently. The kindness showed by my Grand-uncle Hodri, husband of Grand-aunt Moya, cannot be forgotten. He gave me a bar of chocolate with a big smile on his face as he stood at the doorway after returning home from his work place. Back then I was a little girl not more than seven years old.

(Nenek Moya at my home)

I was very much curious with the things in the home of my dear Grand-aunt Moya. They were very much different from those used by Grandma Ramlah at Pondok Kelompang Gubuk. I was particularly fascinated with the stool-like grater and was always the first to volunteer grating the coconuts! I remember Aunt Yati teaching me the correct method of using it as Aunt Nuri and Uncle Taqim watched with lots of smiling on their faces. With my small little hands, it was not an easy task for me to perform. However, I was happy to be of great assistance in the house. Back then I was their faithful apprentice who was willing to do as told. Appreciated I was, they taught me lots of 'kampong' stuff which could not be found in my hometown, the Town of Little India, the area in which Pondok Kelampong Gubuk was situated.

(Uncle Tapa and Dyan - Orchard Road 1987)

It has been more than twenty years since the last time I met my relatives in Ipoh and yearning to meet them again. I regretted very much for not able to attend the wedding held by Aunt Yati in the occasion of her daughter's marriage. It was the period when I was living in the middle-east. I miss my relatives in Ipoh greatly and hope very much to visit them in the future, Insha'Allah. Below are photographs of Nenek Moya's visit to Singapore with her family in late 1960s. We were having picnic at Changi Beach.

(This post is dedicated to my relatives in Ipoh, especially to Aunt Yati, Aunt Nuri and Uncle Taqim. To Aunt Nuri: I never forgotten the warmth that you gave me during my visits to your home in 1960s. To Aunt Yati: Your kind assistance in the preparation of my wedding as well as my sisters are always in my mind.)

My Memories of Jalan Dato' Keramat

During my early teenage, I used to spend my school holidays at Aunt Fatimah's home in Petaling Jaya. The weekends were family outing days. Uncle Zain would normally bring his family out for leisure to parks, museum, exhibitions, window shopping or dinning at A&W restaurant. Sometimes he would visit his cousin at Jalan Dato' Keramat. Her name was Hannah. She was my maternal grandmother's younger sister. I used to call her Nenek Hannah.

(Uncle Wahid's wedding - Keramat 1988)

Grand-aunt Hannah was a very kind and generous person. Every time I visited her, it was hard for me to leave her home. She welcomed her guests with open arms and would not allow them to leave with empty stomach. There were always homemade cookies and chips to bring back home. I loved her as much as I loved grand-aunt Moya. My only regret, I was unable to pay my last respect during their funeral. Both had passed away during the time I was suffering from an illness in which doctors were unable to diagnose and determine the cause.

( Visiting Nenek Hannah - Keramat 1990)

(With Nenek Hannah in the Kitchen)

(At the living area)

Among the several children of grand-aunt Hannah, it is aunt Halifah that I am very close. We are about the same age. During my early teens, I used to spend the year-end school holidays in Kuala Lumpur, staying over at her home. Aunt Halifah and I used to have fun together, playing all sorts of ''kampong'' games at the house compound. When we were far apart, we used to write to each other. Till this day we always keep in touch, continuing the family ties.

(Visiting Nenek Hannah - Keramat 1976)

The last time I met aunt Halifah was August 2008 at my cousin's wedding. Aunt Halifah came to Singapore with her family and siblings, Aunt Pia and Uncle Wahid. It was a splendid reunion and we had an enjoyable time chatting, catching up for the lost time. We discussed about going holiday together in Trengganu to visit her sister, Aunt Makma. I was very excited about the idea and looking forward for the holiday with her even though I knew time would be a problem. However, I am confident that the day will come for me and aunt Halifah to be on a holiday with our family together! Insha'Allah.

(This post is dedicated to Aunt Halifah, Aunt Pia, Uncle Wahid as well as my other uncles and aunties who used to live at Keramat - the home of my beloved Nenek Hannah. Spending the time with her and family in that home often lingers in my memory…. it was beautiful.. remain precious... always in my mind...)

Uncle Zain, My Ipoh Connection

The marriage between Aunt Fatimah and Uncle Zain is a blessing for the entire members of the extended family that generated from the family of my Great-great-grandpa Jusop. This union in matrimony had brought closer two nuclear families in an extended family. Uncle Zain is the cousin of my late maternal grandmother, Hajah Ramlah. Grandma Ramlah's mother is the older sister of Uncle Zain's father whom my mum used to call Grand-uncle Jesin. He followed his father, my Great-great-grandpa Jusop, to Malaysia from Bawean Island during the British colonization in the Malay Peninsula. They used to live at Sungai Rokam in Ipoh, Perak.

(Hari Raya Eid-ul-Fitr 1995)

According to Aunt Fatimah, my Great-great-grandpa Jusop had another marriage, having another set of children from his other wife. And through her (descendent), he had produced the first batch of several well-educated Malaysian Baweanese descendents in his family; a banker, two engineers, an accountant, a doctor and a lawyer by profession – the well-known six brothers in Ipoh that became successful through educations. One of them is Hj.Asmuni bin Awi, the well-known lawyer turned Politician in the State of Perak.

(A proud Grandfather)

Uncle Zain is himself among the successful one in this family. He is an ex-army officer who received the title Dato', given to him by the Sultan of Pahang due to his bravery, serving the Malaysia Military. During his army life, he was always working overseas. I remember during my childhood he used to bring goodies for me and my sister every time he came back home to Singapore at Pondok Kelompang Gubuk. The children of the Pondok loved him as he used to entertain with the stories from his army adventure working in Congo.

(Nenek Moya's first and last visit to my home - January 1996)

Uncle Zain was born and raised in Ipoh, Perak. His older and only sister, my late dear Grand-aunt whom I used to call Nenek Moya, loved him very much. She took great care of him since he was a little boy. My mum told me that Nenek Moya used to give up her portion of food to her little brother during their difficult period living as orphans. I always remember Nenek Moya as a wonderful and lovable person. During my childhood, I used to accompany my grandparents everytime they visited Nenek Moya and other relatives in Ipoh.

Like Nenek Moya, Uncle Zain treats me and my siblings with kindness. Spending my time with Uncle Zain and his family makes me happy. Often I forgotten that he is only my uncle. He makes me feel as though I am his daughter – a daughter he wishes to have. Uncle Zain is like a father to me. He is a generous and kind-hearted person; free from black spots covering the heart - the disease of a bad-hearted soul.

(Aunt Nuri and Aunt Yati, the daugthers of Nenek Moya - visted Singapore in April 1986)

The relationships between Uncle Zain and my father were more than brother-in-laws. They were good friends who always helped each other. Uncle Zain was always there for my father in good and bad times. My father too was always there every time Uncle Zain needed a helping hand. I remember during the time living in a HDB flat, my father offered Uncle Zain and his family to live together with us while waiting for their home in Johor to be ready. Aunt Fatimah and her two sons lived with my family for about six months while Uncle Zain was out-stationed in Congo. During that period, as the oldest among the little ones, I used to bring my little cousins to the playground and watched over them as they played happily with the other kids living around the area.

Until today my cousins and I are very close. To them, I am more than a cousin – an older sister living in Singapore. Indeed Uncle Zain's family members are my next-of-kin in Malaysia. Through marriage, Uncle Zain and Aunt Fatimah had made the blood-ties stronger between my Singaporean relatives and the relatives in Malaysia.

(This post is dedicated to my dear Uncle Zain and his family. According to me, Uncle Zain and Aunt Fatimah is a perfect match made in heaven. Their children are my blood-ties and always be my dear little brothers even though they are now adults. To my Malaysian cousins - indeed we are in a family of different Nationality, living in two different countries linked by a causeway ....yet... We are one big family and will always be...)

My Aunt Fatimah, the Great Cook

Putra Jaya, Malaysia 2000

Hajah Fatimah binte Ali is my maternal aunt. She is my mother's younger sister, the third child among eight siblings and the second oldest daughter in the family. According to my mum, Aunt Fatimah used to help my grandmother in the kitchen while my mum busy doing the laundry for the family. My aunt told me that during her teens, she and my mum used to attend cooking and baking classes at Kampong Kapor Community Centre situated opposite their home, Pondok Kelompang Gubuk.

Aunt Fatimah and my mum during their teens

Aunt Fatimah loves to cook and is extremely good in it. Her cookings are delicious and irresistible that often her friends asked her to cook for functions such as Aqiqah, Hari Raya Open House and House Warming. It became so frequent that she decided to do a small catering business. Like my Grandma Ramlah, Aunt Fatimah is an expert in making Nusantara desserts - Putri Salat, Talam Keladi, Koleh-koleh, Talam Berlauk, Talam Suji, Ondeh-ondeh, Pulut panggang - you name it, she knows them all!

Living with Aunt Fatimah - 1986

It is not surprising that Aunt Fatimah is always there in my mind every time I think about Baweanese food. This is because her cooking reminds me of the food my late Grandma Ramlah used to cook. The dishes cooked by Aunt Fatimah always taste the same as those cooked by my dear grandmother. Unfortunately for me, she does not live nearby my home. My aunt is a Malaysian, living across the causeway in the State of Johor.

My two cousins, Faizal and Irman during childhood - early 1970s

Even though my aunt was born in Johor Baru, she was raised in Singapore. A former student of Cedar Secondary School, she got married in her late teens after completing her studies. Her husband, Hj.Mohammad Zain bin Hashim, is a Malaysian born Baweanese. He is the maternal cousin of my Grandma Ramlah. Hence, my uncle-in-law is also my maternal grand-uncle! (In Islaam, it is legal for cousins to get married to each other hence, so are the cousins of the parents, cousins of grand parents and so on.)

My two cousins Riko and Shaz - Dungun, Trengganu 1987

Aunt Fatimah has four sons - my dear cousins whom I used to babysit during childhood, treating them as my own younger brothers. All four of them are Malaysians even though the first two were born in Singapore. Aunt Fatimah and Uncle Zain are now proud grand-parents to several grand-children from their first two oldest sons.

The cousins - Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Malaysia 2008

Like my paternal Aunt Jamaliah, Aunt Fatimah always has a special place in my heart. She is like a second mother to me. I used to live with her during my childhood and also during the early years of my marriage, the time my husband was seconded to work at Pasir Gudang for three years.

My cousins' children - Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Malaysia 2008

Like my mum, Aunt Fatimah had taught me alot of things; from teaching me about this life and Islaam, to doing house chores - laundry, cooking, cleaning, tidying and managing a home, to nurturing children, imparting good values and manners to them. She is a school in her own rights imparting her knowledge to this niece, showing through example the path undertaken by an obedient daughter, a kind sister, a motherly aunt, a loving and faithful wife, a wonderful mother as well as a good neighbour as desired by Islaam.

Always a loving aunt to the children of my dear Malaysian cousins.

(This post is dedicated to my beloved Aunt Fatimah. I love you very much my dear aunt. According to me, you are beautiful in every way. Thank you for being a wonderful aunt who is always there for all of us - your nieces and nephews, the children of your siblings. May Almighty Allah always be there for you throughout your life. Ameen.)

Roti Boyan - The Baweanese Bread

The original 'Roti Boyan' filled with mashed potatoes served with 'Samble Bilis'

A Baweanese is always a Baweanese no matter how the individual Baweanese progresses in life, moving away from the pondok lifestyle, becoming very different from those of his or her forefathers who came from the remote tiny island of Bawean to Singapore. Today, in cosmopolitan Singapore, a Baweanese like me is constantly exposed to many cultures and traditions, enjoying different kinds of food and flavours, yet still ended up getting attached to the Baweanese culture, especially the Baweanese food. I am always yearning for them, the Baweanese authentic dishes that the pioneer Baweanese people of Singapore, like my late grandmothers, grand aunties and mother-in-law used to cook.

The other side of the original 'Roti Boyan' with potatoes fillings

Even though I had traveled far and wide, experienced variety of dishes from many different countries, I still love eating 'Roti Boyan', the Baweanese bread. Although I have been living in Singapore most of the time, mixing with other Singaporeans of different races and cultures, enjoying their food such as the Thai Tom Yam, the Chinese Noodle, the Indian Prata, the Italian Pizza, the Middle Eastern Kebab, the Hainanese Chicken Rice, the Western Hamburgers and many others, I still look around for the Baweanese bread. Even my children, who have very little exposure to the Baweanese food, enjoy eating 'Roti Boyan'. They showed thumb-up to me and asked for more when I first introduced it to them.

'Roti Boyan' that similar to the Indian Prata

There are two types of Baweanese bread. One is similar to the Indian Prata and the other is filled with mashed potatoes. During my childhood, I used to eat the 'Roti Boyan' for breakfast and sometimes during teatime. My favorite 'Roti Boyan' is the one with mashed potatoes fillings. My late maternal grandma was an expert in making it!

'Samble Bilis'

In making the dough for 'Roti Boyan', my grandma normally used ghee mixed with warm water and salt before pouring the flour. I like to help around, boiling the potatoes, peeling the skin, mashing them in a plastic basin, adding a little salt, pepper, chopped celery, and eggs, mixing them into a perfect filling. Then I would help her preparing fire on the stove. At that time, during the 1970s the pondok people were still using kerosene stove for cooking. When the fire was burning right, it was time to put the wok on the stove and filled it with cooking oil. My grandma would prepare the bread to be fried in the heated wok. This bread is usually eaten with the Baweanese 'Samble Bilis' - Chilli Anchovy.

The 'Roti Boyan' that similar to Indian Prata with fried egg on it

Making the other type of Baweanese bread is simpler than the previous. The method of making the dough is the same as the first one. The dough is rolled on a pin several times, greasing it with oil before rolling it multiple times. When done, it is time to fry it on a heated wok that has been filled with little oil. Beaten egg with sliced onion is poured onto the bread while frying. This bread is usually eaten with the Baweanese 'Samble Bilis' or 'Samble Tomes Tongkol' or Semur Tongkol. Yummy!

'Semur Tongkol'

Today, 'Roti Boyan' is eaten not only by the Baweanese people but also others from different ethnic groups living in the Singapore Malay community. The favorite is the one filled with mashed potatoes. It became popular with a different look!

The new look of 'Roti Boyan' with potatoes fillings

Kelah Celok – The Baweanese “National” dish

Celok Tongkol dish

''Kelah Celok'' is an authentic Baweanese dish. ''Kelah'' is the Baweanese word for dish and ''Celok'' means sour. There are two types of Kelah Celok ; fish and vegetable.

Celok Bechok dish

The fish “Kelah Celok’’ is the dish in which big fish such as Tuna, Red Snapper, or Humphead Wrasse (Bechok) is sliced thinly and cook in a boiling pot filled with water, tamarind juice, salt, blended fresh red chili, green chili, garlic, turmeric, onion, shrimp paste (belacan) and few corriander seeds (ketumbar).

Humphead Wrasse (Bechok)

Smaller fish such as Gold banded Scad (Selar Kuning), Herring (Tamban), or Indian Mackerel (Kembong) is the substitute for the big fish. However, in cooking the smaller fish, usually fresh sliced pineapple is added into the boiling pot. During preparation of the cooked dish for dining, few stalk of small fresh chilies (chili padi) are added into the bowl. Lime juice is squeeze on to the dish to make it tastier. The dish is to be served steamy hot with white rice .

Herring (Tamban)

The other type of ‘’Kelah Celok” is prepared using vegetable such as long beans or ladies fingers. When cooking long beans in ‘’Kelah Celok’’, the beans are cut into smaller pieces and added into a boiling pot filled with water, tamarind juice, salt, sugar, blended fresh red chili, onion, shrimp paste and few corriander seeds. Eaten with white rice, this dish goes well with fried fish such as sliced Tuna or Kembong. Sambal belacan with cucumber make the meal appealing.

Celok Bendi dish

Sambal belacan is grilled belacan pounded with fresh red chili and sugar. Usually it is prepared to be eaten with cucumber. Sometimes it is prepared with mashed hardboiled eggs and shreaded green sour mango to add more flavors to the meal. The Baweanese from my Pondok called this side dish as ''Pencek-pencek''.

Celok Otok dish

It has been quite awhile since I last ate rice with ''Kelah Celok Otok'' ('Otok' is the Baweanese word for long beans) with fried tuna fish and ''Pencek-pencek''. I hope my mum will prepare them during my next visit to her home! Endek, Endek, Endek....nyaman Ongku!