My Queenstown 我爱女皇镇

My Heritage, My Community, My Aspirations

Mystery of Queenstown 1972

Posted in News in the Dump | Friday, February 26, 2010|By my queenstown

I was doing my interviews with one of the residents today when he showed me his collection of newspaper articles reporting about our estate. I chanced upon this article and was immediately fascinated. This resident, who preferred to be anonymous (due to his/her worry that the killer might be at large), mentioned that this criminal case was considered a "phenomena" during those times.

This shooting or "murder" incident took place on Monday 18 September, 1972, around 38 years ago. There were 2 ladies from Malaysia, namely Zeng Li Zhen and her sister Zhen Li Bao, strolling along Commonwealth Avenue, when Li Zhen screamed in pain suddenly and fell to the ground. Li Zhen was immediately sent to the Singapore General Hospital but was pronounced dead. It was only in the hospital where she was diagnosed to be "fatally wounded" by a gunshot piercing through her left of her chest.

Article from Shin Min Daily

Investigations went under way. The police classified this case as murder. However, as there were no witnesses and no motive for murder (her parents felt that she had no enemies), the killer or the presumed killer remained at large.

Murder cases are pretty rare in Singapore. This article had generated many conclusions then. First, it was believed that a sniper was targeting the victim from a high rise flat at Stirling Road or Queenstown Centre. Second, there were also theories about an accidental discharge of rounds from a nearby vehicle after investigations revealed that the bullet came from a handgun fired from close range. Third, there were beliefs that this bullet was discharged from the handguns from the nearby Queenstown Police Unit.

What that made residents of Queenstown wowed was the nature of investigations where the policeman (a male) refused to examine the victim's wound because it was located at her breast and therefore was unable to concluded that it was a gunshot before bringing her to the hospital.

This case was subsequently classified as a "cold case," I understood. Anyone with any details of the murder case ought to report to the Police.

Featured on Shin Min 40th anniversary booklet

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Alimah's Kitchen

Posted in Makan Shiok | Thursday, February 25, 2010|By my queenstown

I was thinking whether to makan Old Master Q (Lao Fuzi)'s noodles or a malay food which I have deep cravings for today at the new Tanglin Halt Market. Knowing that the Laofuzi is a popular stall with long queues all the time, I cannot resist the temptation but the join the queue for the food. Unfortunately, that was going to be the last $2.50 I am going to spend on that over rated and ridiculous stall. I have a fetish for noodles all my life and I can safely say that is simply one of the worst Mee Pok I have tried. Besides the fishball that is quite acceptable, the noodle is overcooked and mushy! The sauce is viomit-inducing. Over rated. I cannot stand a 2nd bite.

I looked across the stall and saw Alimah's Kitchen, a stall which specialises in Mee Soto and Mee Rebus. Frustrated with my previous furore, I order both of them.

A bowl of Mee Soto

A bowl of Mee Rebus

For Mee Soto, the base for this dish is a stock made from chicken. Pieces of shredded chicken are drowned in this aromatic and tasty soup, and topped with chopped spring onions and crispy fried onions. The dish is also served with the hot but extremely Sedap chilli condiment.

For most of the stalls, the preparation is about the same, what makes or break this Malay Cuisine is the chicken and the chili that accompanies it. In this stall, the soup go well with the chili so much so it tantalises your tastes bud and the chili is not so empowering until it is not possible to taste the sweetness of the chicken flavor.

Yusof stands in front of his stall

Alimah's Kitchen is a stall which was passed on for 2 generations. The current owner, Yusof and his wife has been residing at Blk 78, a stone's throw from the hawker centre. Grew up in Tanglin Halt, he assisted his father in serving coffee before his father has decided to sell traditional Malay food. A unique feature of this stall is Roti Kirai, a type of pancake with lacy patterns that goes well with mutton curry. It is sold during the weekends.

He recalls the hay days of Tanglin Halt, where there are many flats around the area. As upgrading projects are carried out in the estates, many residents have moved out. His father was one of those itinerant hawkers who used a pushcart and sold food along the streets before the construction of the food centre. "The food centre had become more convenient, spacious, cleaner." He remained committed to his community, "I ought to serve cheap food. There are so many old folks around!"

Alimah's Kitchen at Tanglin Halt

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Sri Muneeswaran temple

Posted in Places | Monday, February 22, 2010|By my queenstown

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MyQueenstown Celebrates: Red Red Lunar New Year

Posted in PeepsTown | Friday, February 19, 2010|By my queenstown

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Good Morning Teacher!

Posted in People | Tuesday, February 16, 2010|By my queenstown

Teaching is a stressful yet enriching profession. Considering the endless number of requests from the parents, a teacher has to deal with both students and parents professionally, as well as conducting his lessons with substance and style. Today, I met a teacher from Queenstown Secondary School. He is Mr Eric Loh, the head of department for physical education and an alumni in the school.

The macho Mr Loh!

Good Afternoon Mr Loh, It's my pleasure to meet you. I was told by Mr Ang (the principal) that you are an old boy with the school. Which batch do you come from and how long have you teached?

I'm a student with Queenstown technical school from 1982-1986 and I have taught for 13 years.

After being with the school for so long, how has Queenstown Secondary School changed over the years?

It used to be a technical school, providing students with knowledge on how to use metal and woodwork. In the past, this technical school caters our economy with students ready for the workforce. Presently, our government's movement towards a knowledge based capital intensive economy has rendered the decline in technical education.

What are some of the notable achievements?

Although Queenstown Secondary School is a neighbourhood school, we have produced a number of government scholars as well as prominent politician, Mr Lee Yock Suan.

Queenstown Secondary has been part of the community for a long time. How has the school remained relevant to its community through its involvement and interaction with the estate?

We have continual interactions with parents through talks and the old boys still have a emotional linkages with the school. They will provide scholarships, presents and give talks to students in the school. Of course, there are community involvement programmes to old folks' home in the estate.

So how is physical education taught presently?

Physical Education is not just the physical part. We do teach theory to help student understand what they are in for!

Finally, what are your aspirations for the school?

Through education, I hope that every child can be confident. As a neighbourhood school, the chances of doing well may not be high for some students. Nevertheless, the learning process must be enjoyable!

The present compound of the school

The familiar sign...

do you want to study here?

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the Man, the Woman and the Shop!

Posted in People , Shop 'Til U Drop | Sunday, February 14, 2010|By my queenstown

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Glory 39A

Posted in People | Tuesday, February 9, 2010|By my queenstown

The writing is on the wall and many structures that leave Queenstown residents with many wonderful memories are going to be removed one day. Living in Queenstown for half a century and half of which at BLK 39A is Mr Zheng. He was standing on the corridor and explaining to me the various structures that had been built, declined and subsequently removed around the 18-storey tall flat.

The flat he used to live has been flattened... all that was left is a field

He recalled fondly of staying in Margaret Drive. He would often swim in the Alexandra Canal, that was swampy and mushy. He would often venture deep into the catchment behind Margaret Drive to build treehouses and catch spiders with his friends.

He moved to Blk 39A 26 years ago after he was married. While he was a teenager, he wanted to stay in the tallest flat, that is Blk 39A in Queenstown at the point of time. This place has followed him a large part of his life. He has two sons and a daughter.

In front of his flat were rows of 2-storey shops and Tah Chung Emporium, which sold hardwares and clothes. At the background were Venus and Golden City Theatres that were built at the same period with Blk 39. On the right were Queenstown Polyclinic, which opened its doors in 1963 and to his left was a wet market, which was converted into a furniture mall.

Mr Zheng was understandly emotional when he recalled all the memories that have filled half his life. He recalled the poor living conditions at Chinatown, before moving to Queenstown Estate. Though, he will be moving to the skyscrappers at Dawson in 2 years' time, he understands that he will not be having a common area, friendly neighbours who know each other and his favourite food at the food centre.

It used to be a polyclinic on the right... It used to have Tah Chung in front of his flat...

For Mr Zheng who has lived in Queenstown for most part of his life, everything seems to be flashing across his eyes. And for Queenstown residents, it seems like these places will soon be a part of your memory...