Sarafian Salleh - My Sg Heritage

Friday, 4 July 2025

Rail Corridor 22km Heritage Walk: 28th June 2025

Today we completed our Half Marathon Heritage Hike along the Green Corridor. The weather was excellent, and we were even greeted at the endpoint with a refreshing light drizzle, a perfect way to end our journey. Congratulations to everyone who joined us! More than just a park, the Rail Corridor is a living reminder of Singapore’s colonial past and its growth as a regional transport hub. The former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station is now a National Monument, and Bukit Timah Railway Station has been restored as a heritage node for all to enjoy.

On this walk, we rediscovered the deep-rooted history behind the Rail Corridor, once the artery of Singapore’s early development. We learned about the diverse communities that lived along the tracks, where a multi-racial spirit was shaped by the railway’s growth. We also came to appreciate the unique flora and fauna that have evolved alongside this historic line since 1902, forming an ecosystem all its own.

Some participants had to leave early due to unforeseen circumstances, but taking that first step and showing up already makes you a finisher in spirit. Thank you for sharing your stories with me along the way, these memories and anecdotes will continue to grow with every walk, and I will always pass them on to the next group, keeping alive the many untold stories of the Railway Corridor.

Early Railway History:

Originally part of the Federated Malay States Railways (FMSR), Singapore’s railway line was completed in 1903, connecting Singapore to Johor Bahru. The iconic Tanjong Pagar Railway Station opened in 1932, replacing the earlier Tank Road Station and becoming a key gateway for goods and people.

End of an Era:

In 2011, the railway line ceased operations, and the land was returned to Singapore. The last train departed from Tanjong Pagar on 30 June 2011, marking the close of a significant chapter in the nation’s transport history.

Transformation into a Corridor:

Today, the Rail Corridor is a continuous green space stretching from Woodlands in the north to Tanjong Pagar in the south. It has become a beloved trail for walking, hiking, and cycling, with ongoing enhancements to preserve its heritage and natural beauty.

Photo Credit: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tanjong-pagar-ktm-trains-journey-past-sachinder-mohan-sharma/

Future Plans: The Rail Corridor is envisioned as a place where communities can come together, forge new memories, and stay connected to both nature and the stories of our shared past.

A special thank you to Zaili Mohama Din for capturing all our moments so beautifully and framing these wonderful group memories. Our next, the ninth Green Corridor Walk will be held in November, so for those who missed this one, we hope to see you then!

#GreenCorridorSG #RailCorridorSG #SingaporeRailway #WalkTheRailCorridor #SingaporeHeritage #RailwayHeritage #OurRailwayStories #UntoldStoriesSG #HiddenHistoriesSG #PreserveOurHeritage #NatureInTheCity #UrbanWildlifeSG #GreenTrailsSG #ExploreSGNature #HeritageWalkSG #WalkWithNatureSG

We are now standing at the front porch of the carriage way of Istana Woodneuk—a place that once bore witness to the arrival of dignitaries, diplomats, and honoured guests from across the region. This doorway, though weathered by time, likely saw the ceremonial entry of Malay rulers, British officials, and esteemed visitors who came to pay respect to the Sultan of Johor during the palace’s golden era.

In its heyday, this very entrance would have echoed with the sounds of horses and carriages arriving, the rustle of royal attire, and the quiet formality of diplomatic exchanges. It was more than just a threshold, it was a portal into the world of Johor’s royal diplomacy and prestige, situated right here on Singaporean soil. Standing here, we are reminded of the palace’s once-vibrant role as a political and cultural bridge between the Johor sultanate and the colonial powers, as well as with other Malay and regional rulers.

Though silence now surrounds us, the memory of those footsteps, greetings, and royal ceremonies still lingers in the atmosphere, waiting to be remembered, honoured, and retold.

Can anyone still remember the story about the motifs of the ventilators above our heads?

#crazyrichasians #sultanjohor #Istana

I was utterly surprised when I came across few article about the land swap between Singapore and the Sultan of Johor, particularly because it made no mention at all of Istana Woodneuk. Here lies a forgotten palace, nestled in the heart of Tyersall, with deep historical ties to the Temenggongs of Singapore, the very lineage that once shaped the early political and social fabric of this island.

Istana Woodneuk wasn’t just an old building, it was a royal residence, a cultural marker, and a silent witness to our shared Malay-Johor heritage. It stood as a symbol of status, diplomacy, and wealth during the colonial era. One could even argue that the Temenggongs and their descendants were among the original “Crazy Rich Asians,” long before the term became popularised in modern fiction.

Yet, in official narratives and transactions, such heritage is often overlooked, perhaps erased quietly by development, bureaucracy, and time. It raises important questions: What parts of our past are we choosing to remember, and which are we letting slip away?

#bangsajohor #Istana #istanawoodneuk #URA #LandSwap #crazyrichasians #sultanjohor

Sunday, 13 April 2025

Once upon a time, long before Bugis Street became the retail maze we know today, it was part of a thriving maritime world shaped by the seafaring Bugis people—traders, navigators, and master diplomats of the Nusantara. These were men from Sulawesi, especially Makassar, who sailed down in fleets of wooden prau, anchoring off Singapore’s shores to trade in spices, silk, and forest products with the Chinese, Arabs, Indians, Europeans, Orang Laut and other indigenous communities.

The Bugis people were often misunderstood as violent largely due to colonial narratives shaped by European powers like the Dutch and later the British. These powers saw the Bugis not just as traders, but as formidable competitors who held deep influence over the maritime trade routes of the Malay Archipelago. The Bugis were bold, independent, and fiercely protective of their trade networks and allies, including many indigenous communities.

Their influence was vast—they controlled key parts of the spice route, not through conquest, but through deep regional networks built on trust and commerce. But when the Dutch East India Company arrived, hungry for monopoly, they saw these proud maritime traders as a threat. To justify their aggression, they branded the Bugis as pirates. Yet in truth, it was never piracy—it was power. Nutmeg, after all, was worth more than gold, and the Bugis weren’t about to give it up without a fight.

That legacy, bold and misunderstood, still lingers beneath the concrete of Bugis Street today, if only we take the time to listen. I am more than happy to share with you that story.

Sunday, 8 December 2024

When I began the journey to trace my Bugis ancestry in Singapore, I found myself standing at the crossroads of historical excavation and identity exploration.

The inspiration came from a conversation between my mother, Noribah Mohd Sirat, and my late grandmother, Hajjah Maimunah Salleh. They spoke of the seafaring adventures of my ancestor, Daeng Mohd Daeng Sa’aban, and the entrepreneurial spirit of my forebears, which ignited a new determination within me to succeed in life.

This curiosity quickly transformed into a deeper exploration of my heritage, leading me to uncover the rich narratives of the Bugis community in Singapore.

After conducting historical research, receiving warm invitations from friends in South Sulawesi, and giving it careful thought, I decided to travel to Makassar to witness the Bugis heritage firsthand.

What began as a spark of curiosity—triggered by studying manuscripts at Hasanuddin University in Makassar, South Sulawesi, under the guidance of Professor Nurhayati Rahman Matammeng —evolved into an even deeper journey of discovery about my roots.

This journey unveiled the glorious history of the Bugis community in Singapore, a tale brimming with maritime trade and cultural exchanges.

My research also took me to the British Museum and the British Library in London, where I studied old maps that illustrated the early voyages of Bugis sailors—resilient maritime explorers who navigated the waters of Southeast Asia and beyond.

Recently, I was invited by Datuk Muhammad Natsir to Sambas, Pontianak, in West Kalimantan to share the success stories of the Bugis community in Singapore.

During my talk, I highlighted efforts to revive Bugis heritage in Singapore and explored the rich maritime connections between Singapore, Kalimantan, and the wider Nusantara region.

I often meet friends across the Causeway, particularly those who share a deep passion for Bugis heritage. One of my frequent stops is at the home of Abd Hadi Ambok Ingtang in Pontian Kechil, Johor. His house is more than just a residence—it stands as a grand Bugis museum.

Abdul Hadi generously shares his knowledge about Bugis heritage, spanning traditional clothing, cuisine, customs, laws, and the architecture of traditional Bugis homes like his own.

My encounter with Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, now the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, further deepened my understanding of Bugis history in Singapore, which once thrived in Telok Blangah—a key trading hub for the Bugis community until the British arrived in the early 18th century.

In the early stages of my research into the Bugis origins in Singapore, I visited Pulau Penyengat in Tanjung Pinang. This island is renowned as a key center in the Malay world, particularly in the history of the Bugis, who played a significant role in shaping the region.

Monday, 16 October 2023

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