Reflections @ Bukit Chandu13 May 2010
Situated at the south-western part of Singapore at a remote little corner. Away from the hustle and bustle of the City... A hidden doorway to link us back to a very significant history of our home land.
I was with a bunch of my colleagues, we were on a little excursion to Bukit Chandu. Its my first visit to this historical site.
While trekking up the hill, my supervisor Mr Lou was commenting that the surrounding reminds him of the days when he was catching spiders...
Indeed, long time ago this is one of the old kampong(malay village) area. During a time where there were no PSP, no Arcade centre, no LAN gaming, no Barbie dolls... The children would be catching spiders, playing marbles, jumping aeroplane(hopscotch), climbing trees...
What happened? What makes this little remote place so significant?
Well, we were here to find out...
The LAST Stand
Here stands an account of the brave battles between the local malay regiment with the Japanese during WWII. To remember the heros that had fought against all odds to the very end... Its the greatest and the last resistance the Japanese troops had confronted in their entire mission to take over Singapore then.
Indeed, the malay soldiers fought relentlessly despite being outnumbered and out gunned. They even continue fighting after their ammunition runs out.
Why did the Japanese have such a hard time overcoming a small malay troop when they had easily taken over other parts of the island from better equiped forces?
Another memorable day.
Situated at the south-western part of Singapore at a remote little corner. Away from the hustle and bustle of the City... A hidden doorway to link us back to a very significant history of our home land.
I was with a bunch of my colleagues, we were on a little excursion to Bukit Chandu. Its my first visit to this historical site.
While trekking up the hill, my supervisor Mr Lou was commenting that the surrounding reminds him of the days when he was catching spiders...
Indeed, long time ago this is one of the old kampong(malay village) area. During a time where there were no PSP, no Arcade centre, no LAN gaming, no Barbie dolls... The children would be catching spiders, playing marbles, jumping aeroplane(hopscotch), climbing trees...
What happened? What makes this little remote place so significant?
Well, we were here to find out...
The LAST StandHere stands an account of the brave battles between the local malay regiment with the Japanese during WWII. To remember the heros that had fought against all odds to the very end... Its the greatest and the last resistance the Japanese troops had confronted in their entire mission to take over Singapore then.
Indeed, the malay soldiers fought relentlessly despite being outnumbered and out gunned. They even continue fighting after their ammunition runs out.
Why did the Japanese have such a hard time overcoming a small malay troop when they had easily taken over other parts of the island from better equiped forces?
I can think of one very significant reason behind this phenomenon- the sense of belonging. Patriotism comes from one's love for one's homeland.
Would you stand and fight like Good soldiers
For the land of your fathers
For the playground of your child
The enemies comes like wolves to devour
To plunder
Mercilessly robbing of all that's dear
Fight and protect O brave ones
Against all hostile principalities
For the land we proudly call our OWN
Indeed, soldiers are the guardian of the land.
On a side note. It deeply saddens me to see the situation in Thailand. Where the troops are now use as political machines against innocent citizens. Political issues should be resolve via political means and not via military means. Hope they would come to their senses soon and no more unnecessary bloodshed... :-(
Would you stand and fight like Good soldiers
For the land of your fathers
For the playground of your child
The enemies comes like wolves to devour
To plunder
Mercilessly robbing of all that's dear
Fight and protect O brave ones
Against all hostile principalities
For the land we proudly call our OWN
Indeed, soldiers are the guardian of the land.On a side note. It deeply saddens me to see the situation in Thailand. Where the troops are now use as political machines against innocent citizens. Political issues should be resolve via political means and not via military means. Hope they would come to their senses soon and no more unnecessary bloodshed... :-(
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