My Maternal Grandparents

Life in a distant land away from the village atmosphere of Bawean was not easy for my maternal grandparents. Together they faced the roller coaster of life against all odds during the British Colony in the Malay Peninsula. They also experienced the terror of the Japanese occupation in Malaya, witnessed Malaysia's independence, the separation of Singapore from Malaysia, the racial riot in 1964 and finally Singapore's independence on 9th Aug 1965.

(My maternal Grandma was doing her marketing at the old Tekka market of the 70s. Her image was captured by a photographer for the 'Singapore this Week' magazine.)

Even though my maternal grandparents' marriage was an arranged one, they had a wonderful life together. They were happily married and blessed with eight children. The eldest child was born in Ipoh, the second, third and fourth in Johor Baru while the last four were born in Singapore. They lived in Pondok Kelompang Gubuk at Upper Weld Road and became a prominent couple among the Boyanese in Singapore. My maternal grandfather was well respected for his honesty, trustworthiness, kindness, sincerity, and bravery. He had a remarkably outstanding personality and was born a leader. Due to these qualities in him, he was elected by the Kelompang Gubuk residents to be a Pak Lurah, the Head of the Pondok.

(My maternal Grandfather, Hj.Siddik bin Ismail, also known as Hj. Ali - in his sixties )

According to my maternal grandma, my maternal grandfather was a responsible husband to his wife and loving father to his children. He was a pious man who disciplined his children well. On the other hand, according to my maternal grandfather, my maternal grandma was a very kind soul who cared her family very well.

(My Grandmother, Hjh Ramlah Binte Morsidi, as a young grandma)

My maternal grandparents grew old together gracefully. My maternal grandfather passed away due to old age on 5th November 1981 at the age of 72, while my maternal grandmother passed away five years later on 1st December 1986. They never returned to Bawean after they first left the island.