Monday, June 05, 2006

[RealEdge] TodayOnline Forum : We must preserve Seletar's heritage


  This story was printed from TODAYonline
 
 
  We must preserve Seletar's heritage

Our home is a 'sanctuary' Buildings torn down to make way for ... grass? Beware effects of rebuilding

Monday • June 5, 2006

Letter from Mr and Mrs Soh Edward Fitzgerald
Letter from Franklin Shelby Taye
Letter from Tan Chi Wei

I refer to the letter "Spare Seletar's soul the bulldozer" (June 2) by Jayandran Sandra Alison. Many people have the misconception that only expatriates and the "arty" type live in Seletar air base. In fact, many Singaporeans have set up their homes in this "countryside". My family has lived here for the past nine years and we love it.

We are truly proud of our estate. Here, people of many races and classes live together peacefully. My children can eat and play together with my neighbours' children, regardless of race, language or religion.

My children once had a good time learning how to pluck mangoes the traditional way at my neighbour's house. They can play games, cycle or simply just lie down on the grass and do nothing. I believe there are few places here where one can watch an owl perched on the TV antennae or watch birds in one's own backyard.

Seletar air base is a sanctuary that we come home to after a long day's work.

We feel sad that in Singapore, decisions always have to be made based on economic returns. Little thought is spared for the true well being of the people. I hope the relevant authority can look for an alternative site to build the aerospace hub or at least preserve the residential area so that existing tenants can be spared the axe.

As a Singaporean, I have seen many places that I have fond memories of get demolished to make way for — an empty plot of grass. The following are some places which are no longer in existence:

The Good Shepard Kindergarten, formerly at Kampong Java Road. This grand institution was the starting point for three generations of my family. St Anthony's Church at Mandai, which has since been overgrown by vegetation. Did we have a need for a church to be replaced by foliage?

The list goes on. We already have a culture, a history, something that we are familiar with and call it home. All we need to do is leave it alone and provide periodic maintenance.

It seems that everything is torn down and replaced by something artificial and pretentious. Perhaps the reason is because the people who valued them are no longer here? This leads to a loss of identity, belonging and culture. There is little to show future generations and share with overseas visitors. Are we to become local tourists?

I share Jayandran Sandra Alison's view on the importance of preserving our heritage and that we should beware of reckless rebuilding.

As a Singaporean in my late 20s, I can still remember vividly several heritage buildings that have been torn down in the name of progress. On the top of my list would be the National Theatre and Van Kleef Aquarium, situated at the foot of Fort Canning.

An example is Chinatown in the '80s. The dirty streets, street hawkers and rundown shophouses gave Chinatown her character and charisma. Singapore's Chinatown then had a unique and distinct character in contrast to the "fake" Chinatown of today.

One also wonders why there is a need for 22 golf courses on this island, given the limited land here.

Perhaps the authorities could shed some light on the matter?
 
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// posted by Shajahan @ 9:48 AM


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