My Queenstown

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

2011-08-26T21:43:00.002+08:00

A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story.

Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the old Queenstown for our civic projects. However, one of the staff from the Archives, had reiterated that "we are currently not devoting any resources to the heritage of Queenstown." (See Attached) To our dismay, we approach the MP, Mr Baey Yam Keng, for help. After which, the National Archives acceded to our request and promise to support our activities.

This saga explains the difficulty of My Queenstown and other civic organisations in pursuing our goals and aspirations and it is impossible for us not to seek the magistrate for assistance.

Nevertheless, it is heartening to see Mr Eric Tan and his team assuring the public that they will collaborate with civic groups such as My Queenstown in the future to preserve our heritage and history.

This blog post is released to explain untruthful allegations pertaining the integrity of our society.

Kwek Li Yong
Editor of My Queenstown

Read Also:
SPH Article "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find its Feet." (requires log in)
NAS(NHB) response

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

2011-07-10T21:13:00.000+08:00

Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done once every 12 years to sanctify the place of worship.

At ten minutes before eight, a group of Hindu priests from various temples across the island marched valiantly in front of an enthusiastic crowd, carrying containers of holy water from India. These priests entered the temple and performed a series of rituals before pouring the holy water from top of the dome known as gopuram to sanctify the place of worship.

A Procession Outside the Temple

Chanting rituals with the Priests

The ensemble of Nadaswaram and Thavil

Preparation Before Pouring of Holy Water

The Process of Consecration

Thereafter, an aarti was performed where devotees sing praises to their deity by chanting the Vedic yajna hymns. The burning of camphor followed. When aarti was performed, the priest faced the deity and waved in circular fashion, in a clockwise manner around the deity. Then it was distributed to the devotees, who hovered their hands over the flame and touch their hands to their eyes.

Chanting of Rituals

A Priest Pouring the Holy Water at the Deities

...While chanting the rituals

The Consecration ceremony marked the end of 18 months of renovation works at the historical temple at Commonwealth Drive where the prayer hall is expanded and 3 new sanctums are added. The carvings are repainted, exuding an aura of elegance and beauty.

Repainted curvings of Deities at the Temple

The beautiful interior of the temple

Devotees from across Singapore are then invited in an orderly manner into the temple to witness the ceremony. It is believed that witnessing this ceremony can absolve them of their sins. A symbolic lunch was provided for all the devotees at several locations in the former Police Station and in front of Block 46-2 Commonwealth Drive.

Devotees witnessing the Ceremony

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

2011-07-08T19:56:00.000+08:00

女皇弄组屋同一垃圾糟两年3纵火
女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出

最高74万5000元最低40多万女皇镇四房转售价相差近37万
在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。

最后一次乘搭火车北上
火车开动了！该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许多拿着相机、准备捕捉这列火车倩影的有心人,有的一手牵着幼童,有的一手抱着婴孩,有的忙于拍摄,大家挥手告别

Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

2011-06-30T02:59:00.000+08:00

Much has been written about KTM Tracks lately. A simple search on Google and Yahoo will bring you to numerous websites such as this and this. After all, this cantankerous relic was Singapore's brave new world in the early 20th century.

I have always been a believer of my secondary school's motto, "Rooted in Tradition, Equipped for the Future." We must track our past to find out about our roots and our purpose for everything we do. Then will we be able to set our goals and directions clearly.

Riding on the train for one last time

The Tanglin district used to extend itself into the backyard of Queenstown at Margaret Drive as the meandering road which led to Orchard would end off somewhere in Alexandra. The Keretapi Tanah Melayu trains, which commenced operations in 1903, would stop at several points in Queenstown, including Archipelago Brewery Company, hereby the name Tanglin Halt. It must be difficult to explain this to our future generations when the trains cease operations tonight and the tracks are removed. History and heritage have always been a second fiddle to the aspirations and dreams of the youths in their pursue of development and material.

Queenstown starts from 3:40

The KTM tracks along Tanglin Halt have always been a part and parcel of Queenstown residents. Some would walk across the tracks from Wessex to Tanglin Halt for a meal at the hawker centre or as short card to the Commonwealth Station. Some would play along the tracks by placing stones on the rusty metal to be crushed by the zooming trains. Some used the chooing of the first train at 5.30am as their daily alarm clock. Some were merely gossiping about the latest suicide death at the track.

So many stories, so many memories. The trains and the tracks have added colour and diversity to our estate and everyone has their own story to tell. All good things come to an end.

In Living Memory of the KTM Trains chooing along Queenstown =)

Archived Stories about KTM Tracks in Queenstown:

Finding Our Roots... Tanglin Halt

When the story about the removal of KTM tracks first broke

Ghost Trail Along KTM Tracks

The Block next to KTM Tracks!

We play at the KTM Tracks

From Muniady Shrine to Sri Muneeswaran Temple

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十四期

2011-06-20T20:01:00.000+08:00

为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻，《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》，把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。

写在华义中学创校55周年 40年前华义发扬美学教育

对很多学校来说，拥有校友会是平常不过的事。但是，今年庆祝创校55周年的华义中学，却没有正式的校友会。上个世纪五十年代的华义学生虽然曾经组织一个校友会，不过并没有招募新校友注入“新血”。到了九十年代，一些会员已经逝世，校友会势力变单薄，无奈在五六年前解散。

　　这让许多华义校友感到惋惜，其中包括毕业40年却不曾加入校友会的黄美芬（58岁）和戴月英（57岁）。目前担任新加坡读书会发展协会会长的黄美芬受访时说：“协会经常和不同学校合作。我发现很多学校的校友会阵容都很强大，很羡慕他们，因为自己的学校连校友会都没有。” 华义校友会的“宿命”，很大成分是校舍多次搬迁和校风改变所致。华义中学原称“华义政府华文中学”，创办时是设在加东区法礼路（Fowlie Road）的临时校舍。

　　翌年（1957年）学校搬迁到纽顿区的蒙克山（Monks’Hill），1958年又搬到女皇镇的玛格烈通道，也就是黄美芬和戴月英就读的年代。黄美芬回忆道：“那时是华义最风光的时期。当时只要提到西部顶尖的政府学校，不是立化，就是华义。”

　　1982年，为了扩建运动场和礼堂，华义再度搬迁，这回是到德普路（Depot Road）。一年后，学校改制，原本是第一语文的华文变成第二语文，而华文也变成是唯一用华语为教学媒介语的科目。校名也改为“华义中学”。黄美芬感叹道，优秀的华校从此沦为邻里学校，而交通不方便也影响收生。学校成绩一落千丈，学生纪律又差，一出校门口就抽烟、满口粗话。每次路过学校都目睹这样的情景，让她感到心痛不已。

　　1999年底，华义搬迁至裕廊西现址，重新在2000年收第一批中一生。由于学校多次搬迁，加上风气的改变，不同阶段的毕业生像是从不同学校毕业，校友们缺乏凝聚力。

　　55年来，华义一共换了10任校长。现任校长梅慧华（50岁）决定助几名校友一臂之力，借学校今年的校庆活动，帮助他们号召所有的华义校友，重新成立一个校友会。华义其实不乏在不同领域有成就的毕业生，包括黄叔麟、萧作鸣、董农政、艾禺等文人、洪慧芳、方钟桦、吴刚和已过世的华亮等艺人，以及毛奉豪、陈晓明医生等。黄美芬说：“我们希望召集有成就的校友回来，作为现在的华义学生的榜样。希望现在的学生了解，只要肯努力，还是能够重现昔日风光。千万不要觉得邻里学校没有什么值得骄傲的地方。”

　　为庆祝创校55周年，华义将举办一系列活动，包括2月26日在国立大学文化中心举行的“华义公开演出”、7月2日在华义校园举行的“华义青年节嘉年华会”和校庆晚宴。梅慧华说，校方并没有刻意安排很多活动，把学生累坏，而是把他们平时的表演和校庆连在一块儿，借此给他们多一个表演的平台。

联邦西道货车爆炸狂烧司机跳车逃命

小型货车路旁爆炸,起火狂烧,司机仓皇跳车,及时保住一命。这起火烧车的事件发生在昨天下午4时17分,地点在联邦西道与女皇大道的交叉路口。据目击事件的吴先生(44岁,建筑工人)透露,当时他正在路旁的车站等

Pasar @ MyQueenstown #2 - the Provisions Shop Golden Couple

2011-06-12T20:44:00.001+08:00

Mr Chen, 63, together with his wife Mdm Chan, has been running their dried product store at #01-16 Meiling Market. Mr and Mrs Chen lives in Queenstown, so travelling time is not a major problem for them to open their store at 6am in the morning.

Having running their business for over 30 years in the same market, the couple has more or less gathered their fair share of loyal customers and has already become common faces among market goers.

Mr and Mrs Chen

After Mr Chen arrives at his stall at 6am in the morning, he starts his day by shifting and unwrapping the big packets of dried products out for display. Mrs Chen will also help in the arranging and moving of the bulky packets. They have a wide range of dried products such as different coloured beans, spices and a huge range of bottled sauces.

Two of his provisions shops at the market

After a day of hectic work especially during weekend mornings, Mr Chen would close his stall at around 2pm. However, work does not end there as the couple still has to visit their usual supplies in Pasir Panjang and occasionally other smaller supplies around Singapore. They will be shopping for quality stocks to top up their depleting ones, as well as new products in the local market.

Mr Chen explained that they have to shop regularly and purchase in small quantities because they need to ensure that the products are of high quality and far from their expiry dates when they resell them.

Starting out as a dried goods supplier assistant at a very young age, Mr Chen knows the tricks and insights to the trade. Colour and texture of the dried goods can determine the quality of the products and they are all secrets of the trade.

Bottles of Sauces at his provisions shop in Mei Chin Market

Red beans, green beans, yellow beans, ...

On a final note, Mr Chen has no regrets entering the business and is glad that to have the support of his wife. He firmly believes that the services that he offers can be differentiated from those of major supermarkets that we so often see. The difference is that when shopping in a supermarket, one can choose but cannot ask.

MyQueenstown Celebrates: 端午节 Duanwu Festival

2011-06-05T20:56:00.000+08:00

The fragrant whiffs of dumplings filled the multipurpose pavilion at Block 83A Strathmore Avenue yesterday as Queenstown residents come together to celebrate Duanwu Festival.

Rows of Bak Zhang or Meat Dumplings at the Multipurpose Pavilion

Duanwu Festival is believed to be originated from China. A number of explanatory myths are connected to its origins. The best known traditional story holds that the festival commemorates the death of a particular patriotic poet, Qu Yuan in ancient China. It was mentioned that the Qu Yuan was accused of treason for opposing his emperor's decision to collaborate with a foreign Qin state. His country was later conquered by Qin during his exile. In despair, he committed suicide by drowning himself in Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar. Local folks then threw dumplings into the river so that the fishes would not consume his body and paddled out on boats to scare the fishes away.

Leaves for Wrapping the dumplings

Tying and selling the Dumplings

The folks arrived at the tiny pavilion located at the corner of Dundee Road at about 6am yesterday morning. They brought buckets of ingredients such as onion, glutinous rice, red bean past and meat fillings which they had prepared in the past two days. Some of them were lighting up the charcoal stove while the others were busy filling some 2,800 dumplings and tying them neatly into a pyramid shape. When the dumplings were ready, one of the helpers would lower the dumplings into boiling water. It takes about 3 hours to cook the dumplings.

Preparing the charcoal stove

40 residents from low-income families were invited to the pavilion at about 6pm in the evening for a dumpling feast. Well, it is great to celebrate a meaningful traditional festival in this manner, knowing that someone in your community do care about your wellbeing. Of course, these dumplings look good and they are delicious.

Double treat of Ba Zhang and Kee Zhang

新镇、老区各风采

2011-05-31T20:07:00.002+08:00

大约五十多年前吧，当我仍系小学生时，女皇镇才刚从不怎么为人所知的乡村，以新镇（建于1952年）的姿态，展现在新加坡沿一带。几年后，我已是个中学生了，著名的红砖厝十四楼即以本区、也是当年新加坡最高的建筑地标，耸天而立。即使它周围的几座七楼组屋，以及那排蓝玻璃组屋（因该几座组屋窗口皆装上蓝色玻璃而名），相较于其它区外和我的老家–方基山区，在当年，也都显得强势多了。该时候，由于我的好多个初中同学都住在十四楼附近的组屋区内，所以我很早就跟女皇镇结缘啦！反倒是后来，为帮父亲撑起那“灾余”建起的家，放弃了上大学的理想，提前到社会上去谋生，逐较少在女皇镇活动，却仍藕断丝连地，找时间回来逛逛往昔的街市、店铺，看看曾经熟悉的住宅区有啥变化，顺道也寻访一些中学校友。

迄至1980年代初，机缘巧合地，我带着新婚不久的另一半，迁入了美岭街150号的一座租凭组屋的单位，先呆了三几年；直到1985年，购置了史德林路大牌170的现址后，从此便定居下来，正式启动赤道风的出版工作。那时候，理想印刷出版有限公司还在，偶尔也能于寂静中听闻印刷机运作之声响。

惟是，曾几何时，就如我的年岁日益增添那样，如今已经59高龄的女皇镇，也开始显现老太矣。不过还好，人老了，终究要入土为安，但屋子‘老’啦，却可以破土重建。

当下，好多曾经住过美岭街、史德林路的老友、文人、墨客，搬走的搬走了、去世的去世了；几间电影院与百货公司，倒闭的倒闭，‘换装’的‘换装’；就连往昔曾经辉煌过的地标：十四楼，也已拆掉，让位给了更高、更新的未来建筑群。

据所知，一张务使女皇镇旧貌换新颜的建设蓝图，已然摆在有关方面的议事日程上，而多处女皇镇属区亦常能听见建筑工地之打桩音响。我想啊，再过三、五年的女皇镇，应有是“人事几番新”啦！然则，兴许是岁数大了，喜欢怀旧，我总难忘怀过那些自在、悠闲的环境，惦念曾经一起欢聚，论辩的咖啡八儒，思忆以前充满浓郁、温馨气息的人间世事。

……

总之就也好，新也罢，对于我这个仍在留守的‘老臣’而言，总觉依然是：新镇、老区各显风采，点点滴滴尽存胸怀。

作者：方然
2011年3月

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十三期

2011-05-26T19:52:00.000+08:00

为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻，《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》，把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。

一组屋单位失火男子被烧死睡房内

史德林路一组屋单位失火，三名邻居破门救人不果，屋内男子过后被发现烧死在睡房内。这起火灾命案发生在昨早11时30分，地点在女皇镇史德林路第48座组屋3楼的一房式单位。死者是49岁的黄福财，原本和年迈父母同住在事发的租赁单位，黄福财染上毒瘾后父母搬离，剩下他独自居住。据邻居透露，死者是嗜赌惯犯，上个月才坐牢出来。他也常向邻居借钱，表示要用来偿还水电费。

　　在隔壁回教堂担任停车服务员的的李维尔（50岁）在早上约9时许，看见黄福财住家冒出黑烟，于是拨电通知民防，但以为是顽童玩火，过后就没有多加留意。随着失火单位冒出更多浓烟和火舌，还不断传出玻璃破裂的声响，惊动了附近居民，纷纷自行疏散。其中有三名邻居见义勇为冒着危险，企图冲入失火单位救人，但眼见火势太大，在灌救十分钟后只好放弃。

　　其中一名试图救人的苏姓鱼贩（46岁）说，当时他帮忙到隔壁邻居家取水，递给另两个人救火，但火势太大，他们只好放弃。黄福财的大姐黄丽凤（54岁）受访时说，黄福财在六兄弟姐妹中排行第五，生性文静，但却在当兵后误入歧途，同家人开始疏远。黄丽凤说，70多岁的父母已经知道小弟去世的消息，非常伤心，目前只希望能完成小弟的遗愿，联络上离异多年的妻子，让一对子女能来送小弟最后一程。

　警方把这起案件列为“非自然死亡”性质处理，调查仍在进行中。

EXCLUSIVE: Stirling Road Blaze Minute-By-Minute Guide

2011-05-23T20:44:00.001+08:00

Minutes seem like months for residents of Block 48 Stirling Road on Sunday, 22nd May 2011. Thick, black smoke billowing from the windows of #03-578 transformed the idyllic backyard of Queenstown into a battleground for the fire fighters of Alexandra Fire Station. There were desperate attempts to save the unconscious man from his apartment but to no avail. Frantic cries of "help" and "fire" startled the neighbouring followers from Masjid Mujahiddin. Let us unfold the drama of Stirling Road Blaze from first-hand interviews of 16 residents at Block 48 Stirling Road.

The affected unit that is next to the flight of stairs

At 11.10am, Nor Haini's daughter and niece were playing at the corridor in the 3rd level. Ng Hock Chye, 49, the deceased, was seen loitering along the corridor and he was carrying a bag of "yellow stuff" which emitted strong and unbearable fumes. He was believed to be sniffing glue. Frightened at the sight of a fully tattooed and burly middle-aged man, the two young girls ran inside their apartment flat to notify the adults. When Nor Haini saw Mr Ng enter his rental flat, she reluctantly allowed the girls to continue playing at the corridor.

At about 11.25am, a stream of charcoal-black smoke began to emit from the windows at the kitchen of Mr Ng's flat. A Chinese lady (who declined to be named) at the 5th-storey alerted the whole block of rental residents with her boisterous voice by shouting "Fire, fire, fire." Her loud and clear voice prompted Nor Haini's sister-in-law to came out of her flat and saw that Mr Ng's unit was burning ferociously. Without hesitation, they called the police and fire fighters using their mobile phone and evacuated from their flat to the end of the corridor.

Mdm Nor Haini's sister-in-law and the two girls who were playing along the corridor

Nor Haini's neighbour, an Indian man (who declined to be named), dashed out of his home and knocked onto the door of the burning flat. As the door was closed but not locked, he attempted to alert to occupant, that is, Mr Ng, to run for his life! However, Mr. Ng was deeply unconscious. He was deeply shocked and frightened. At this moment, the unforgiving flames were engulfing Mr. Ng's motionless body.

Mr Victor Tjin, one of the heroes who attempted to douse the flames

While residents from the block arrived at the grass patch in front of Block 48, Mr Victor Tjin, 53, the Indian man and two other brave residents of the block brought themselves with buckets of water to try and douse the ferocious flames. Nor Haini assisted the brave men by filling the buckets with water from her apartment (which was two apartments away from Mr. Ng's).

Crackles and sparkles were heard in Mr. Ng's unit. Fearing for an impending explosion, the brave men had decided to leave the firefighting to the Civil Defence team who arrived at about 11.45am. The fire was put out within 10 minutes.

The charred unit

The bedroom (entrance on the right) was where Ng Hock Chye's charred body was found

MyQueenstown Team had returned to the site of the accident today and were greeted with an unpleasant odour which appeared to have diffused to the nearby schools and blocks. The apartment was charcoal black and everything seemed to be engulfed in the flames.

Notification from Town Council

Residents have appealed to our team to request the Town Council to do maintenance checks at the building again. When contacted, Joe from Tanjong Pagar Town Council would like to inform residents that utilities supplies at most of the units have been restored and further maintenance checks will be conducted tomorrow. Repainting will be done after the insurers have assessed the damages. The SCDF has also removed all flammable items from the affected unit.

All that was left in the flat was this bicycle which Mr. Ng rode on frequently

Stirling Road Blaze Kills Resident

2011-05-23T06:27:00.003+08:00

A rental resident, Mr. Ng Hock Chye, at Block 48 Stirling Road lost his life in a blaze yesterday morning. The charred body of the jobless man was found in his bedroom located at the 3rd storey of the rental block. Firefighters have since put out the fire.

According to the national reports, residents were alerted to the thick dark smoke billowing out of Mr Ng's unit and fled their homes. Some of the residents in the block hurriedly filled buckets of water to try douse the flames.

From a telephone interview with Mr. Andy Tan, a resident in Stirling Road, the blaze was so huge that many residents have fled to the grass patch in front of the rental block. The deceased, Mr. Ng Hock Chye, had regularly asked for public assistance and he had trouble with the law for his drug offences. He leaves behind his ex-wife and two children.

Peek into the minute-by-minute guide of the Blaze
http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/05/exclusive-stirling-road-blaze-minute-by.html

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #9 - 7 Funerals in 2 weeks

2011-05-22T20:48:00.000+08:00

7 funerals in 2 weeks. There is a flurry of "activity" these two weeks for correspondents from My Queenstown. We did not leave our traces in photographs as a mark of respect for the deceased. We did leave our sincere prayers and heartfelt condolences for those present. Quietly and fleetingly, we made our way to some of the funerals and understood that all of them had passed away because of natural causes.

What that caught everyone's attention was probably the unfortunate suicide at Buona Vista last week. A 26-year old Indian national was fatally hit by a KTM train at about 1.15pm last Wednesday. His dead body was found at the glass verge next to the railway tracks near Block 12A near Buona Vista MRT Station. According to national reports, he was a cheerful and well-liked student at a private university in Alexandra.

Photo from Stomp.com.sg

This is not the first time My Queenstown had reported incidents of suicides over the past 2 years.

Is committing suicide really that easy?

Mr XXX (in his 70s) has been residing at Stirling Road for the past 36 years. He has 4 grown up children who provides him with financial support regularly. He lives alone as his wife of over 50 years has passed away in recent years. Every morning, Mr XXX will visit the Mei Chin market for breakfast and stroll around the "SkyPark" at Mei Ling Heights to keep fit and pass his time. He does not wish to visit the Befrienders at around the corner because he considers himself as "unsocialble." Life, to him, is boring. There are many occasions when he feels lonely because he has no one to approach. He says in Hokkien, "I would have committed suicide if I did not have phobia for pain. It is painful to live alone and it is tiring to be lonely."

MyQueenstown Team has regularly visited Mr XXX

A friend of a correspondent in MyQueenstown Team has committed suicide last year. He scored a GPA of 4.2 in his university examinations but he felt he could have done better. He commented, "I'm stupid." A week later, he had committed suicide.

Suicide ratio for Singapore= Male:Female 10:1

Perhaps death appears the only way out for these depressed and lonely people. It is worrying to see Singaporeans sending out "hate" messages to the family of the Indian youth instead of showing some care and concern to our loved ones. We, Singaporeans, pursue a materialistic and self-indulgent lifestyle which revolves around "me, myself and I." Selfishly, most of us can't even bother to ask for the wellbeing of our families and friends. Like many others, I used to blame those who committed suicide for being "mentally weak." More often than not, we failed as pillars of support for loved ones.

Let us all take a step back and stop being egoistic. Let us show our concern in one way or another from today onwards.

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十二期

2011-05-19T22:06:00.000+08:00

为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻，《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》，把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。

疑压力大留遗书 26岁大学生遭火车碾死

印度籍青年命丧火车轨，大学生生前曾写下遗书,疑自杀轻生。目前,警方将案件列为非自然死亡,案件细节正在调查中。附近6天前聋哑男丧命 6天前,1公里外发生另一起铁轨命案。 5月5日上午7时许,41岁的聋哑清洁工人洪康怡,疑走捷径上班,结果遭火车撞飞惨死。事发地点在联邦通道第79座组屋后面的火车轨道,距离印度学生死亡地点仅约一公里。遇困难请求助生活中遭遇困难,可拨以下热线求助: ●援人协会(SOS):1800-2214444

为吸毒7次抢妇女项链道友求情：须照顾老母求情不通过判坐牢7年

被告在去年12月4日到今年3月1日,掠夺7名妇女的金项链,总值约2300元。他的犯案地点包括:直落布兰雅弯、亨德申路、惹兰红山、东陵福路及史德林路一带。案情显示,被告总是出其不意的走近戴有金链的妇女,迅速扯去金链后,跳上电单车逃之夭夭。

Long Hwee Book Store

2011-05-18T20:50:00.000+08:00

For the past 42 years, Mdm Ker Ah Kin, 64, and her husband have been mending the unimpressionable Long Hwee Book Store at Mei Ling Street diligently. They sell bags, shoes, cassette tapes in addition to their wide collection of Chinese novels and literatures.

Long Hwee Book Store at Mei Ling Street

Married in 1969, Mdm Ker and her husband had initially rented a small space at Beauty World Shopping Centre for their book store. They bought over the shop house at Mei Ling and started their ‘small business’.

In the early 1970s, Mei Ling was undeveloped and it was a hill covered by graves and farms. There were no schools (Mei Chin Primary was built in the late 1970s) and a mud road was all that led the residents to Queensway.

Fancy toys of the yesteryear

The township in Mei Ling blossomed and business at Long Hwee was brisk as the book store served a growing number of students in Queenstown.

Mdm Ker’s greatest satisfaction in life was her ability to support her family and bring up her 4 children with the book store. She was delighted to make bosom friends who came back to visit her although they had moved out of Queenstown.

Today, Long Hwee Book Store serves as a timely reminder of its position as a pioneer business in Queenstown. The 1960s public phone and the money register were symbols of the yesteryears.

The old money changer

“鸟”先生

2011-05-17T20:49:00.000+08:00

在马格烈通道，每到星期四早晨就有一个不同寻常的“观鸟会。”据说养鸟可以使居民的心灵得以松弛。

我在大牌39A组屋底层走回了一会，便看到56岁的李先生提着六个鸟笼。笼子上的雕刻十分精致，里面有一个喂食的小瓷罐。笼子里有一只小鸟，眼睛大大的，十分掏喜可爱。

李先生的家人最初不太支持他这种轻松愉快的嗜好。鸟儿们时常脱毛，把家弄得脏兮兮。因此，李先生会常常清理鸟笼，让鸟儿有一个舒适的环境。

住在联邦弯的李先生每逢星期四早晨都会把他的宠物鸟从高层建筑的组屋中带到这里。据了解，大牌39A宽大的建筑结构能让这些鸟儿充满活力，唱起歌来也非常清脆悦耳。听着鸟儿的歌声能让他瞬间忘记烦恼，并给予他在生活上的启发。当李先生得知大牌39A租屋在今年内即将拆迁，他不禁感到十分惋惜。

Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate

2011-05-14T10:45:00.000+08:00

The industrialisation programme took off in Queenstown when the Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate was established to generate employment in the neighbourhood. Initially, the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) planned a small industrial estate at Tanglin Halt to provide employment for the new residents. Measuring some 20 acres of land consisting of 38 factories lots for cottage industries, Tanglin Halt was chosen for its proximity to the railway tracks. Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate quickly established itself as one of the key driving forces in Singapore’ industrialisation programme in the early 1960s.

Opening of Sheng Huo Enterprise in 1966

Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate was developed to house light and medium industries. Managed by Jurong Town Corporation, the estate was planned to help small industrialists establish their businesses on land leased to them on easy repayment terms.

In its heydays during the 1960s to mid 1980s, Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate was home to a smorgasbord of factories. Chocolate-making factories such as Van Houten and Sheng Huo; Electronic industries such as Setron and Roxy; textile factories and merchantile house such as Sime Dary were some of the big names filling the lots and providing employment.

Setron in 1966

One of the more memorable factories was Setron (Singapore Electronics). Before it was demolished in the 1980s, the unique roof dominated the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Commonwealth Drive, where Haw Par now stands, and served as a navigational landmark for vehicles entering Tanglin Halt. Singapore’s first black-and-white television set was rolled out of Setron’s assembly line in 1964.

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十一期

2011-05-10T22:02:00.000+08:00

为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻，《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》，把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。

联邦通道聋哑男抄捷径惨遭火车撞死

一名聋哑人士走捷径上班,被火车撞飞20米,当场惨死。这起事故发生在今早7时35分,地点是联邦通道第79座组屋后面的火车轨道上。 40岁死者洪康怡是一名清洁工人,在高科技商业楼Neuros和Immunos工作了3年半。

联邦通道变态男独爱偷俏女经理衣服电眼拍下全程

变态男独爱偷一户人家的女装衣,而且一偷半年,气得屋主装电眼,把录下的偷窃全程交给警方。最近一次偷窃发生在本月1日早上8时20分,地点是联邦通道第94座组屋4楼。 28岁的财务经理黄女士说,她是在一年多前和丈夫搬到事发组屋,同住的还有表妹和一名朋友。

东陵福路假建屋局人员组屋四处骗人 ·居民报警
阎女士(73岁,退休人士)透露,前天下午3时左右,一名27岁青年自称建屋局人员,到她女皇镇东陵福路第30座组屋的住家,声称要检查天花板。她指,对方过后告诉她,需要强制修天花板。 “他告诉我,政府会付一半,我只需要还220元,先交50元。

Pasar @ MyQueenstown #1 - the Mother and Daughter at the Green Green Stall

2011-05-09T05:38:00.000+08:00

For the past 2 years, Kumari, 18, has been helping out her mother, Liti Devi, at the vegetable stall No. 58 at Tanglin Halt Wet Market. At 11pm, they will visit the wholesale market at Pasir Panjang to select the freshest vegetables before loading them into baskets. Since they neither have a driving license nor a truck to bring the vegetables to Tanglin Halt, they got to hire a taxi to bring them back. On alternative days, they will travel to a wholesale market at Toa Payoh to select the greens.

Devi (left) and Kumari

After arriving at Tanglin Halt Wet Market at around 2am in the wee hours, they use a trolley to unload these "basket-loads" of vegetables and place them at a corner next to their vegetable stall. The tough work begins here.

Arranging the vegetables is an art. Stacking carrots and brinjals with round surfaces and ensuring their "safety" can be a challenge for first-timers. Kumari recalls how the layers of carrots can easily topple over. Placing these vegetables neatly and mixing them to create a visual impact for the aunties who do marketing in the morning is very important too. All these arranging will take Kumari and Devi 3 to 4 hours.

Neatly arranged vegetales

At around 11am or 12pm (depending on the business), Kumari and Devi will call it a day. After disposing the trash and leftovers, they will use high-pressured water to wash the floor and ensure the cleanliness of the stall. Hygiene is indeed very important. After which, they will go for lunch before resting at around 4pm

MyQueenstown Team were rather surprised that a young girl like Kumari will choose to help her mother at the stall. She explains in remorse that she did not do well in her studies and she intends to help her mother at the stall. Little did residents know that both Kumari and Devi come from India. We understand that Devi worked as a farmer in India. "Life is tough, and I hope to lead a better life here."

"Leading a better life" - isn't what all of us have wished for?

Man Knocked By Incoming KTM Train at Tanglin Halt

2011-05-06T07:16:00.000+08:00

For 3.5 years, Mr Ken Ang, 40 has been taking the short cut behind Block 79 at Tanglin Halt to get to his workplace at Biopolis. This short cut requires residents and friends to walk across a dirt muddy path created by thousands of footsteps through the years, walking across the railway tracks used by the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) trains. Unfortunately, tragedy struck yesterday morning when he was knocked by an incoming train at 7.35am. Mr Ang's motionless body was found beside the tracks and he was pronounced dead soon after at 7.50am.

Mr Ang was hit by a train at Tanglin Halt

According to reports from the national newspapers, Mr Ang is deaf and dumb. He works as a cleaner at the Immunos building at Biopolis and he would cross the railway tracks every morning. His friend, Mr. Singhanhit, 59, mentioned that Mr Ang would use the hearing aid every day at work.

The railway crossing was popular among residents in Portsdown and employees at Biopolis, who use the short cut to get to the Commonwealth MRT and the Tanglin Halt Market and Food Centre.

Residents walking along the railway tracks at Tanglin Halt

Queenstown Baptist Church

2011-05-03T18:01:00.000+08:00

The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) set aside seven sites for religious use and advertised for religious organisations to ballot in the 1950s. Of the ten enquiries received, four withdrew, leaving six Christian organisations. These went on to build the first churches of Queenstown; Queenstown Baptist Church, Queenstown Lutheran Church, Faith Methodist Church, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, True Way Presbyterian Church and Church of the Good Shepherd.

The Queenstown Baptist Church first started when a Baptist missionary, Miss Dorcas Lau began house-to-house visitation in the housing estate with Miss Lora Clement, a resident in Barbary Walk. In 1956, the Malaya Baptist Mission of the Foreign Board from the Southern Baptist Convention of United States voted to purchase a vacant plot at 495 Margaret Drive. It opened doors to her followers in November 1962.

The Same Chapel today

In 1988, the church announced plans for an extension to its chapel to house its growing congregation. The extension was opened in 1992 – on the church’s 30^th anniversary.

Despite its American origins, the first congregation of this Church was Cantonese-speaking, reflecting the dialect-speaking community in Queenstown then. The church also conducts community work, provides volunteer services to institutions along Margaret Drive, and in-kind relief to the needy.

Future Church Building for Queenstown Baptist Church

The Church has plans to renovate their building.

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十期

2011-05-02T18:06:00.000+08:00

谢世儒医生“意外”当选丹戎巴葛集选区议员

就一通电话、一个会晤，还有选举官的肯定，让谢世儒医生在短短的22小时之内当上丹戎巴葛集选区议员。他说：“如果说不感到意外，是在撒谎。但这也不是出乎意料的，行动党一直嘱咐我，要随时做好（临时上阵）的心理准备。”
新加坡中央医院骨科外科医生谢世儒昨天透露，他是在前天接到没有显示号码的几通电话，但当时因为在手术室动手术，无法接听。大约下午2时之后电话再响，是教育部长黄永宏医生传话要和他会面。“他告诉我身为候选人应该要有什么样的表现，要我亲口说我准备好了，然后就直接去见基层和选民了。”
丹戎巴葛集选区行动党女皇镇支部秘书麦智泉（53岁，房地产经纪）向本报透露，他前天下午先接到陈振声的电话，问他当晚是否有空，和马炎庆一起出来谈话，谈话内容由马炎庆来透露。“我们就约在某家酒店。晚上8时30分到了停车场，就看到马炎庆、陈振声和谢世儒，当时心里有数了。”麦智泉表示，马炎庆说谢世儒将接替他在女皇镇的职务时，自己感到有点不舍和难过。
他在昨天早上8时，和马炎庆一起见了女皇镇区基层，把临阵换人的消息告诉正准备到提名站的支持者。提名活动在昨天中午结束时，他已自动当选为新议员。马炎庆受询时说，自己是在前天傍晚得知自己被调到淡滨尼集选区，党这个突如其来的决定让他感到“有点惊讶”。他对于必须离开已服务了五年的女皇镇居民表示难过，不过能够加入淡滨尼团队也让他感到荣幸。

永别了！女皇镇！#7 一摊油条传三代

2011-04-30T15:56:00.001+08:00

一摊油条传三代

在玛格列熟食中心，“生活公市”说得上是个客至如云的摊子。这个小摊子，不售卖任何煮炒；摊子主人则一年三百六十五天，天天在摊内起个炉炸上一条条的油条。

“生活公市”摊主李马才先生（58岁）是这家油条摊的第三代。祖父自中国南来便炸油条为业，后来其父亦继承了祖父的业务。“生活公市”自1969年起，正式迁入玛格列熟食中心营业。李先生从小便跟随父亲学手艺，在油锅边打转。

李先生的油条，以香脆爽口闻名。在80年代初，李先生每一日几乎可炸近200条油条。李家一家五人总要齐齐上阵来应付顾客的需要。

如今，虽然李先生的摊子已搬迁到亚历山大村熟食中心，但他对玛格列熟食中心仍然十分怀念。再见了，玛格列熟食中心！

MyQueenstown Votes #8 - Apprehension, Worries & Fears

2011-04-27T19:15:00.001+08:00

In 15 hours, the new community leader rose from an unknown figure to the representative leader of Singapore's first satellite estate. Although he is a president scholar and a lecturer at one of prominent medical college in Singapore, he does not live in Queenstown and do not know about the challenges, demographics, history, grassroots activists, community issues, so on and so forth.

He is a "back-up" candidate from the ruling party and is not their first choice. So how will a second choice candidate be "good" for Queenstown? If he is that "good", why is he not selected in the first place? Without political competition, there is no way residents and volunteers will know how "good" he is!

The worries and concerns as well as the long history and heritage of Queenstown are well documented here. MyQueenstown Team would like to credit the previous leader for the changes and response to the civic requests in this platform and we strive to strengthen this approach for as long as possible. Is the previous leader willing to "show the ropes" to this greenhorn politician?

Resident, Tan Wee Loong, 28, was interviewed by MyQueenstown Team this afternoon and expressed his disappointment at the political development here. He said, "Who is the new guy? I don't know him. He don't know me. He don't know the area well."

MyQueenstown Team is apprehensive and wary, though this community leader may eventually become a bright spark. At this stand point, the future may not bode too well for Queenstown and the residents here. Let us pray hard that he is a dynamic, sincere and caring leader. Otherwise, Queenstown is going to be a disconnected community with no historical roots, no civic spirit and no aspirations for the future.

MyQueenstown Votes #7 - Surprises at Nomination Day!

2011-04-27T01:56:00.005+08:00

Queenstown residents can expect a brand new candidate put forth by the ruling party tomorrow. At 10pm last night, MyQueenstown Team understood that the current community leader, Baey Yam Keng, will be leaving Queeenstown to campaign in Tampines GRC according to reliable sources within Queenstown. It is confirmed that he will be replacing another candidate who had pulled out of the election campaign. The new candidate, Dr Chia Shi Lu, has not been introduced to the mainstream media so far.

Being a new candidate, older residents in Queenstown may have to spend a little while to acclimatise to his or her new ideas and practices if he is elected unopposed. Grassroots activists and business associations in Queenstown have collectively expressed their disappointment over the sudden and "last minute" decision, believing that residents should be given a longer period of time to understand and scrutinise the candidate.

Meanwhile, supporters from the opposition camp is mulling over a bid in Tanjong Pagar GRC. MyQueenstown Team is informed that an opposition team wearing yellow is trying to raise the required sum to contest in the election later. Another veteran opposition team led by Ng Teck Siong is soliciting funds online to contest in the election. Sources have indicated that he has successfully raised the amount required for the election last night. However, he missed the deadline for nomination and was disqualified.

At 12.45pm, it was confirmed that Tanjong Pagar GRC and Queenstown is a walkover.

MyQueenstown Team
27th April 2011 at 2am, 7am and 1pm

Home Sweet Home #15 - A New Day Has Come =)

2011-04-24T20:26:00.000+08:00

Last week, MyQueenstown team interviewed Mdm Chan about her life in Blk 15 Holland Drive. Under SERS, she was assigned a new apartment in the newly developed blocks just a stone throw sway. Today, we visit Hisham Suni, 38, who moved over from Blk 17 to his new apartment in Blk 18C Holland Drive.

Hisham Suni and his son =)

Hisham is delighted by his new apartment as there was a pleasant shift in his living environment, which was worn down in its terminating stages. In addition to the larger dimensions, Hisham exclaimed that he did not have to top up any extra cash for his new house! He upgraded from a 3 room flat to a 4 room. Even the process of changing houses was hassle free. He liked the way HDB handled the shift and he only had to visit the main office 2 to 3 times over the entire process.

The new blocks of flats has many facilities such as playgrounds, fitness stations and Hisham's favorite sheltered pavilion to chit chat with neighbors during the evenings. There are wheelchair accessible slopes all around and the lift serves every level, unlike his old flat which does not.

Potted plants of Orchids Outside Hisham's House

Hisham sold his flat back to the authorities for a lump sum amount of cash, while he bought his new one with his CPF. He is very satisfied with the exchange and now has a sum of money for his mother's retirement. While not willing to depend on the sum of money as pension for himself, the licensed tourist guide works part time and enjoys it thoroughly.

While strolling with Hisham on the ground level during the interview, we noticed that he knows almost every resident who walks past. Hisham believes in the 'Kampong spirit' which he fights to preserve, by taking the initiative to greet his neighbors. He even go as far as to visit a sick neighbor when he did not appear in a while for chit chat sessions.

In a final note, Hisham believes that a home should be one which he feels happy and find peace in.

Block 18C Holland Drive

Archipelago Brewery Company (Anchorpoint)

2011-04-22T16:22:00.001+08:00

Established in 1931 by German businessmen, Archipelago Brewery Company was the first commercial brewery in Singapore. It was located next to the Malayan Railway, which provided convenient transportation for exporting the beer in Tanjong Pagar.

Archipelago Brewery Company

One of the more popular beer produced at Archipelago Brewery Company was Anchor Beer. In the 1930s right up to the 1960s, Anchor Beer outsold Tiger Beer by 9 to 1. It had a familiar tagline “Life needs an Anchor.” Tiger Beer was mainly drank by the British Military whereas Anchor was popular among Singaporeans.

In 1941, in the midst of World War II, Fraser and Neave took over the assets of Archipelago Brewery Company. However during the Asia-Pacific War, the Japanese Army expropriated all the production facilities of Fraser and Neave, which included the Archipelago Brewery factory at Alexandra Road. Japanese beer such as Kirin and Dai-Nippon were produced at the factory. Brewing of the beer was carried out at the main plant (where Anchorpoint stands today) and bottled beer was transported via wooden conveyor belt across the overhead bridge to the canning line and warehouse, where IKEA stands today. Production continued till 1990, when operations were relocated to Tuas.

Anchorpoint

IKEA

From the 1930s right till the 1960s, the brewery was managed by Dutch expatriates. Gradually, locals were hired for key positions such as engineers. Jobs at the brewery were always sought after as the company was well-known for its work culture and employee welfare.

The original site, together with the canning line and warehouse, made way for residential and commercial use. Today, the only reminder of the factory is the brew master's office, a two-storey bungalow which now houses the Zhou’s Kitchen restaurant.

It's 6 days countdown to the launch of Queenstown Heritage Portal!! =)

MyQueenstown Votes #6 - Only a Fool Believes HDB Flats are Affordable!

2011-04-21T07:32:00.001+08:00

Shameless! Treacherous! Plain Stupidity! A certain "leader" uses the the state media as his "official media" to explain his flawed ideas this morning about public housing. While ideas from the other group of representatives may not be the best, it is plain stupidity for this leader to be persistent about his policies claiming that the HDB flats are affordable!

Examples of High Prices of HDB flats
The latest BTO flat introduced in Dawson, Queenstown, costs $550,000 between $650,000 for a five-room flat. This translates to 33 years of housing loan and the couple is required to pay slightly more than $2,100 each month. (Figures quoted from the resident).

For another couple who preferred to stay close to their ill and aged parents in Mei Ling Street, they had originally intended to purchase a BTO flat. Since they earned slightly above $8,000, which was the threshold limit to own a BTO flat, they had to go into the resale market. However, they were deterred by the fact that a 4-room flat in Mei Ling cost nearly $650,000 in the resale market. They had initially wanted their children to stay with their aged grandmother who was terminally ill. Unfortunately, their mother (their children's grandma) had passed away last year.

Beautiful HDB Flats at a Price

HDB - A near-complete failure in today's perspective
Flats from the Housing and Development Board are built to serve the national building purposes. First, it aims to bring Singaporeans together, regardless of race and religion. Second, it aims to allow Singaporeans to "purchase a stake in the country." Third, it aims to give Singaporeans a "shelter" so that they will always have a place to call "home." Fourth, it aims to motivate Singaporeans to seek for a regular employment to pay the housing loan.

For many Singaporeans, owning a HDB flat equates to fulfilling the "Singapore Dream." What is more important than providing shelter and a home for your loved ones?

However, policies changes in the past few years resulting in escalating home prices have gone against these original intentions. Housing loans in the past could have been repaid within 10 to 15 years. In search for a better living condition, Singaporeans will aim for a bigger and better flat or a private apartment. This "dream has been shattered" because Singaporeans have to "pay and pay" to their deathbed for a "smaller and smaller" apartment flat.

HDB had failed terribly in serving the national building purpose in these areas.
1) The introduction of "privacy" blocks reduce interactions among neighbours, defeating the purpose of point 1.
2) The escalating housing prices have created a notion that "only the rich and educated" can afford HDB flats although generous grants were given to the poor
3) Escalating housing prices will become Singapore's "Time-bomb" one day when the children needs to assist their parents in paying off their housing loan mortgages. Remember Japan in the 1990s? Remember Hong Kong in the late 1990s?

Plain excuses to divert attention of the REAL ISSUE
Seriously, our efficient government has ensured that billions are be earned from the investments in overseas to cover the reduction in land prices for HDB flats. It is a national joke to see that this "stupid" leader was trying to claim that a deliberate reduction in prices of land is equivalent to "robbing the national reserves" when the ruling party had engaged in numerous flawed investments during the financial crisis.

Whether the measures offered by the alternative group of representatives are effective or not, it must be clear that the issues of "robbing national reserves by reducing land prices," "upgrading" and "ensuring that home prices will continue to appreciate" are not as significant as the "affordability of public housing."

In short, who cares about national reserves, upgrading and whether home prices will appreciate if they can't even afford a HDB flat?

This just shows how disconnected is this leader from reality.

Brand New Series this May!

2011-04-20T22:20:00.000+08:00

New Series in May:

1) Lost&Found@MyQueenstown features the memories and old pictures of residents who lived in estates no longer exists in Queenstown and activities which have ceased. We have interviewed residents living in Ballater Close, Boh Beh Kang villages and Queens' Crescent as well residents from the former Boys' Brigade. Look out for the Blog posts!

Boys Brigade from Queenstown Lutheran Church

2) Ever wonder where does your fish and fruits come from? Another brand new column, Pasar@MyQueenstown, features lives of hawkers and vendors in wet markets around Queenstown.

3) The return of the ALL-TIME favourite series, Restricted Access@MyQueenstown, will introduce residents to places that are "restricted" to access for the general public. Remember the Venus & Golden City Theatres? Complementing Restricted Accesss will be Farewell MyQueenstown. We will continue to feature the demolition of Blocks along Margaret Drive, Holland Drive and KTM Tracks

4) Ever wonder how did those coffeemakers around Tanglin Halt and Stirling View came about? The return of Makan Shiok and Shop Til U Drop will introduce residents to the good food and the old authentic shops in Queenstown!

5) My Father and I will tell you more about the heritage and history of places around Queenstown. Places include the Lutheran Church, Church of the Good Shepherd and Masjid Mujahiddin will be featured in the returning series.

Lost & Found @ MyQueenstown #1 - Boh Beh Kang

2011-04-20T22:03:00.000+08:00

Boh Beh Kang was relatively remote for its earliest residents to sought escape from the chronic congestion of the city. Prior to its development, this area was dominated by two hills known as Hong Lim and Hong Hin Hill, with a swampy valley and “Boh Beh Kang” running in-between them.

Villagers at Boh Beh Kang

The name arose from the simple fact that locals were unable to identify the stream’s source and assumed there were none.

Hong Lim Hill was a 17-hectare cemetery with over 9000 graves, bounded by Stirling Road, Queensway and Alexandra Road. This cemetery was named the Cheang Hong Lim Burial Ground because it belonged to the businessman’s family. Hong Hin Hill, which stretched from Mei Ling Heights to Tanglin Halt, was used for agriculture.

Some 350 Hokkien and Teochew families lived in this village. Most of its residents were immigrants from Fujian, China.

Before World War II, residents from the Boh Beh Kang village would spend time interacting with one another at work and play although there was no radio or television. Villagers raised pigs, chickens and ducks to eke out a modest living. Wells were shared communally and they were the main source of water for domestic use. Children would start school from the age of seven. After their studies, they would return to rearing pigs and tilling the ground.

The villagers had a rudimentary village centre with coffee shops and a provisions store. They sought the spiritual support at the Tiong Ghee Temple, praying for better health and luck.

The idyllic life of the villagers was interrupted when the Japanese invaded Singapore during World War II. The Japanese Kempetai occupied the Buller Camp, which was located next to the village.

Villagers in Boh Beh Kang

Village life at Boh Beh Kang was quickly drawing to a close when the British government made plans to develop the land for Queenstown. By the 1960s, the villagers had to move out.

In the next few weeks, MyQueenstown Team will be interviewing residents living in the Boh Beh Kang for their memories of the idyllic village.

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十九期

2011-04-18T19:36:00.000+08:00

为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻，《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》，把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。

URA15年内发展至少10k住宅
市区重建局(URA)将在未来10年至15年,在联邦道、女皇镇和碧山地铁站周围发展至少10,000个单位的30层楼高组屋和私宅项目。考虑到我国未来四五十年人口增加、老龄化及人民向往更好的生活,政府也会重新发展和扩充榜鹅和盛港。

验尸庭研讯后裁定无业男子坠轨死亡是意外

中年无业男子夜里身体不适，蹲在地铁月台尾端，结果失衡坠轨，惨遭到站列车碾死。事故发生在去年11月29日晚上8时许，地点是女皇镇地铁站。月台闭路电视拍到的画面显示，当晚约8时，死者独自蹲在月台一角，等候西向列车到站。不久，他起身摇摇摆摆地走到月台最尾端蹲了下来。由于视线被档，列车司机看不到李德明蹲在那里。有两列列车到站后又开走了，司机们都没有发现他。约8时零9分，第三列列车到站后停下，李德明把身体靠在列车车身。一分钟后，列车离站，他立即失去平衡，跌落轨道上。

画面显示，死者尝试坐起身，但起不来，便躺了下来，把头枕在轨道上。他跌下约3分钟后，第四列列车到站撞上他。调查报告说，根据录像画面，死者是自己跌落轨道，没有被人推倒。
涉案的列车司机说，当时他开着列车看到一个黑色物体在轨道上，定睛一看，发现那是一个人，头枕在轨道上，身体靠在轨道右边。司机立即紧急刹车，但列车还是撞上死者。SMRT公司的调查显示，列车当时是以53公里时速行驶，紧急刹车后估计要行驶约75公尺才会完全停下，而司机发现死者并紧急刹车时，列车头离他仅约13公尺。

死者生前无业，他的哥哥告诉查案人员，弟弟平时留在裕廊西41街第456座组屋住家里，照顾生病的母亲。他从小患有癫痫症，最后一次发作是在两年前。他哥哥还说，死者曾经嗜毒，并因拥毒而在1996年被判入狱两年，出狱后首四五年他远离毒品，但过去三年，每当他口袋里有钱时，常常带着神志“迷糊”的样子回家。验尸结果显示，被告体内含有的镇静剂成份，已超出一般药疗水平，他的血液和尿液都有酒精。报告认为，死者有可能是在服药时喝酒，导致他走路不稳，影响四肢运动能力。

陆路交通管理局较早前回复媒体询问时说，在36个高架地铁站中，目前15个地铁站已完成安装月台玻璃屏门。

女皇镇少年'烤'鸡块厨房被烧毁少年声称没开火
青少年把鸡块放在炉灶后下楼,回家时却发现厨房失火。这起火患发生在昨午2时55分左右,地点是女皇镇史德林路第169座组屋16楼的一间3房式单位。记者接获通报赶到现场时,受访居民纷纷表示,事发时,失火单位冒出滚滚浓烟

女皇镇购物中心为了储值卡男子商家争执
男子申诉购买的数据配套储值卡货不对办,上门找商家理论,还报警求助,惊动警方到场调解纠纷。这起事故发生在本月6日下午2时许,地点是女皇镇购物中心1楼的一间手机店铺。事主陈先生(30多岁,资讯科技业)受访时说,他5日到上述商店买一张iPad数据配套预付费SIM卡。

Home Sweet Home #14 - Farewell Holland Drive

2011-04-17T21:05:00.000+08:00

Blk 15, Holland Drive looked vacant and cold when MyQueenstown team visited this morning. The shop houses under the apartment block were all covered with card boards and all that was left were traces of glass panels, which could possibly be a beauty parlor in its place before. The lift was still working.

Mdm Chan - a long time resident at Holland Drive

A curious looking Mdm Chan 陈彩菱, 50, greeted us at the door. She was cooking almond paste desert for her children and the delicious nutty scent was overpowering our senses. She started chatting about her 15 years of staying in Blk 15.

As her flat was just in front of Holland Village, it could get rather noisy at night. While not a soccer fan, Mdm Chan could know the scores of the matches just by staying at home on soccer nights. However, she got used to the din and learnt how to cope with the noise, especially with the help of better noise regulations at night by the authorities over the years. With her kitchen window facing Holland Village, Mdm Chan has her front door just overlooking the swimming pool. She used to bring her children to the pool once a week during the weekends.

Empty Shop Houses

Being allocated an apartment in Blk 18D Holland Drive was a piece of joyous news to her family. Even though they had gotten used to Blk 15, the flat was getting increasingly void of human activity as their neighbors started shifting out. Mdm Chan too, would say goodbye to her current flat in 2 weeks time. Being the last 2 families on the level, Mdm Chan is glad that her next door neighbor would be shifting out on the same day, so neither families would be left alone.

On a final note, Mdm Chan as like all mothers do, wishes that her children grow up healthy and happy. She is looking forward to the move and would stay on in Queenstown for as long as she could. Goodbye Blk 15!

MyQueenstown Votes #5 - Money Money Money! Queenstown Needs More Money!

2011-04-14T23:03:00.000+08:00

It seems like everything around you has become more expensive. Food prices have rocketed recently. So does home prices and electricity tariffs. Like other Singaporeans, some residents in Queenstown struggle to make ends meet, particularly those from the lower income group and the elderly population. While the social safety are available, many residents shunned them because of the social stigma involved while receiving monthly payouts from the state. Today, let's find out about the extent of increase in prices of necessities in Queenstown.

According to Tanglin Halt residents, prices of hawker food has gone up by more than 20% over the past three to four years. The famous Char Kway Teow operated by the brothers in Tanglin Halt Hawker Centre is 50cents more expensive whereas costs of fresh chicken at the market is now 70cents to a dollar more costly. When residents are asked for their explanation about the increase in food prices, majority of them cite the upgrading of markets and hawker centres as an important factor resulting in the increase in price of food.

It is true that rentals at Tanglin Halt Hawker Centre has increased from $150 to $190 for first generation hawkers. Rentals for second and third generation hawkers can increase to as high as $1800 in the food centre. Hence, attributing the increase in prices of food supplies to the rising global demand and falling supplies is a sweeping reply.

Merlene, a resident in Mei Ling thinks that food prices have gone up as she is able to compare very well as she is still new in Singapore. She budgets her spending each month and would try to make her own meals but it is often difficult due to long hours at work.

Likewise, Murshid thinks that food prices has gone up too fast in the recent years, comparing the standard prices of chicken rice and fast food. Even poultry products and fish from the markets experience an significant increase in their prices. He saves money by monitoring their income versus spending very carefully each month. In addition, they try to cook every meal themselves and would not spend on anything unnecessary.

An obvious method to reduce prices of necessities can be a reduction in rental rates at HDB shop houses and hawker centres. HDB, a public entity, can alleviate the costs of living by reducing rental rates.

Markets and hawker centres elsewhere in Singapore have pledged to stabilize prices for the next six months. However, there is no sight of hawkers in Queenstown doing so =(.

MyQueenstown Votes #4 - Feeder Service Woes

2011-04-12T22:39:00.003+08:00

If you are resident living near bus stops and MRT Stations, you are liking to marvel at the convenience and accessibility of public buses in Queenstown. Journeys to Town or work places in the industrial estates are relatively short and bus frequencies are usually reliable and fast. Shenton Way? 25 minutes. City Hall MRT Station? 12 minutes. Orchard Road? 15 minutes. Boon Lay MRT Station? 17 minutes. At most bus stops along Queensway and Commonwealth Avenue in Queenstown, residents can hop onto a bus service that bring them to their destination directly. However, if you are a resident living in the heart of districts such as Commonwealth Crescent, Commonwealth Drive or Mei Ling Street, you may not benefit from the transport services at all.

Let's talk about the bus services which serve the various districts. Bus service 32 is a popular service for residents plying from Commonwealth/Red Hill MRT to Strathmore and Margaret Drive. Residents waiting for this service at Commonwealth MRT Station will notice that the service will arrive "at 4 minutes" for an extended period of time at the electronic display screen. During peak hours, waiting time can be as long as 30 minutes. If you are heading home at Strathmore from Redhill at 9pm, don't be startled that the bus may arrive some 15-45 minutes. There are new developments at Dawson and Strathmore but the frequencies remain atrocious.

Bus Service 195 - another unreliable service

Same goes for Bus Service 195. It either comes in pairs or once in a blue, blue moon! These complains, courtesy of feedbacks from residents, appear very common in our services. However, it must be understood that these trunk services serve as feeder services for Queenstown residents. Hence, the frequency for the service is atrocious because of operators such as SBS transit are keen on profit maximising and not keen on providing quality services. Well, let's take a look at other estates. Feeder services in Jurong West averaged 5-8 minutes whereas those in Choa Chu Kang averaged only 3-7 minutes (according to the operators' website).

Residents in Strathmore and Mei Ling Street have petitioned strongly for such service lately. On one hand, stallholders in Mei Chin Market are looking forward for a reliable service so as to improve the traffic flow to the market area. On the other hand, residents are looking forward to more bus services plying along Margaret Drive and Strathmore Avenue which bring them to markets prior to the demolishing of Margaret Drive Food Centre.

However, reliable sources indicate that all of these requests are wishful thinking. The LTA has rejected residents' request to extend Bus Service 64 to the MRT Station and Polyclinic so that residents from Mei Ling Street can travel home from Queenstown Station. Have you recalled that Mei Ling/Mei Chin district in Queenstown is a hilly region where elderly residents got to climb flights of stairs every day to reach home? (Read Here) This service will certainly make travelling more convenient for the elderly folks in Mei Ling!

Will there be an end to this transport "mess"? Perhaps, that is what elderly residents in Mei Ling/MeiChin have to "tahan" to their death bed.

Wei Jie

Home Sweet Home #13 - Commonwealth 10! Here I Come!

2011-04-10T17:39:00.000+08:00

The front door was wide open when MyQueenstown team visited Mr Lee, 78, at his apartment in Blk 74 Commonwealth Drive. Feeling curious, we knocked onto the door and was greeted by a sleepy looking Mr Lee.

Mr Lee who lives alone at Block 74

Retired more than a decade ago, Mr Lee is living alone as he prefers being independent to tagging along with his children. Having lived a great half of his life in the well-known 'Chap Lau Chu', Mr Lee is well aware of his surroundings and the changes around it. He recalls the attap houses then, in the place of the current Tanglin Halt market area. The old gas tank behind his flat was also a prominent feature in the past. Housewives and teenagers used to work odd jobs in the many textile factories located just under the blocks of Commonwealth Drive.

Mr Lee got fond memories on the shop houses at his void deck

Although it was then bustling with people and activity, traveling was not convenient as there were no buses passing through the area. With the bus stop installed later on, residents have more options while travelling.

As the 10-storey flats along Commonwealth Drive have been selected for Selective Enbloc Redevelopment Scheme, residents were allocated new apartments in the flats currently under construction in Commonwealth 10. Mr Lee explained that he prefers the old blocks which gives him a sense of familiarity. He is worried that the new apartments would be smaller in size.

His new home in 2013

Life is simple for Mr Lee as he is living alone. Buying all his meals in the nearby markets, he does not have to fret over cooking and washing. He enjoys reading in his free time and even signed up for basic computer classes. Let us wish Mr Lee all the best in his health and when he finally gets to move houses.

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十八期

2011-04-08T21:09:00.000+08:00

女皇镇大整形小贩中心拆咖啡店拆居民吃饭要走15分钟

女皇镇进行“大整形”,小贩中心和食阁先后被拆除,居民现在要吃顿饭,都要步行15分钟。第27A座的咖啡店和40A座的小贩中心被拆除后,住在女皇镇地铁站附近的居民,要走上一个车站的距离,才能抵达下一个最靠近，位于美陵一带的熟食中心

踢死六岁男童男子误杀监16年打8鞭

被告莫哈末佐罕承认在2009年11月20日,在女皇镇美岭街第151座组屋7楼一个单位内,踢和踹男童莫哈末拉莎帝(小名艾迪...男童家过夜。隔天下午,被告带男童出外。后来,被告把男童带到女友在女皇镇美岭街第151座组屋7楼的租赁单位。

阿窿跑腿被捕

警方在前天凌晨时分,逮捕一名涉嫌协助大耳窿放高利贷的年轻男子。这名嫌犯(26岁)是在凌晨时分,在女皇镇史德林路第117座组屋的地面层,因行踪鬼祟,被刚好巡逻经过的金文泰警署警员截查。警员怀疑他协助大耳窿放高利贷,当场将他扣留,过后在他的身上搜获5000元现金。

我们需要有盖走道

在地铁站连接史达拉摩道(Strathmore Avenue)的另外一边,却没有提供同样的方便。除了史达拉摩道的居民,附近还有女皇镇小学、圣公会善牧堂(Church of the Good Shepherd)的幼儿园、位于史达拉摩道大牌82座组屋的托儿中心免受日晒雨淋

历史的拐点时代的瞬间

2011-04-07T21:56:00.000+08:00

女皇镇，一个曾经响亮过的名字，一座曾经峥嵘过的市镇。它，库藏着我几许逝去的青涩与梦幻，还有半生兜兜转转的精彩录像。然则，就像人一样，在时空之淘洗下，它会由激越、繁茂，渐趋向沉潜、恬静；从前可能是傲视群伦的‘新宠’，但天长日久的，它必也会显现出斑驳与衰老，以致被后来者居了上，甚至只配存入“情感记忆”的栈房里。见闻及此，不免浮想联翩，唏嘘难已，心弦激荡。

就这一激荡，竟让封存已久之记忆，仿似遭截流的潮水般，一经开了闸，遂即哗啦啦地奔泻而出，咋也难以挡阻。……

六十年代初始，新加坡社会依然处于波谲云诡之秋，各类抗争此起彼伏。即使身为莘莘学子，亦难得靖心读书。那季节，时代的鼓声和校园的铃声总是交错在一块，让人无所适从，思潮澎湃。而早在五十年代，那些什么“反黄运动”啦、“五一三学生争取免役事件”啦、“福利巴士工潮”啦、“华校中学生罢课”啦……倒是令我这刚踏进中学之门的‘顽童’，也开始学会了观察与思考。惟其时的我，尚只配当个社会史的小读者，似懂非懂地，最多仅能在时局的门缝外，偷偷扫描上几眼，以填充脑子里的知识空隙。

Forfar House

整个中学生涯，兴许是我人生轨道之另一转折，亦系跟女皇镇结缘的启端。有几个中正分校（校址仍在金炎路阶段）的同学，便住在“新生”不久的女皇镇建筑群——著名的Forfar House（俗称：十四楼）附近几座七层高的组屋里。彼时的我，依然是匹难驯的野驹，除了上课时段，多数系“东奔西跑”的。今天到甲同学的家讨论功课，明天就搭住在乙同学的窝里夜宿，渐渐地变成了另类“翘家人”。迄至转入总校念高中（1960 年）后，由于身陷洪流中，特别是（1961年杪）“反华文中学改制”罢考那一年，高歌“今天不回家”更是破记录啦！而相反的，与女皇镇之接触倒越加频密起来。

1962年高三毕业后，曾怀过一丝上大学的梦想，乃先报读了教会学校修习英文；然则，没多长时间即迅速地遭一场人为大火给摧毁掉。那被烧光了的，当年就叫万基山（俗称：亚答万基，位于现在振瑞路斜坡上“和丰山”的隔邻），正是在下呱呱坠地之‘摇篮’，亦属青涩少年翻滚跌爬、吃喝拉撒过的‘巢穴’，更系中学时代曾经‘招兵买马、论谈国是’的‘老殿堂’，一下便这么没了。（时间点：1963年3月初的某日，我的二十岁生辰尚来不及过，不少‘个人文物’和几册‘私家日记’也无法抢救出来；吊诡处：那些曾经的左邻右舍，虽早已离散各地另起炉灶，却偶尔在些大街小巷或婚、丧场所，经常不期而遇，互问别后，缅怀的竟是那份依存的山村恋念情愫。）而身为林府之长子，尽管哀伤、失落、彷徨过，却又不得不拾掇起灾后疮痍的心境，义无反顾也无从选择地帮老爸分挑了重建家园的担子，一边拜师学些电工技术，一边兼教家庭补习。趣且巧的是，我的第一组补习：兄妹俩，居然就住在女皇镇十四楼的一间三房式单位内。至若交通工具，则系一匹在大火中幸运‘获救’（当天我正巧骑了它去上课）、后由老爸‘过继’给我的‘老爷’铁马。但跟我的学电‘课程’一样，只不及一年时间，即因改换另份工作所需，筹钱买了一辆簇新的中国（生产牌）‘铁骑’。它身高马大、年轻潇洒的，从此伴随我这主人闯了几乎半辈子天下。那可也是我当年的最爱呀！踩着它，我于女皇镇走南闯北，除了兼职教补习，还为该区的一个团体开办过（夜间）文化班——来听讲的多数系年轻女工和低教育者；而地址呢，恰巧就离ABC啤酒厂不远，亚历山大医院的对面。

虽然1963年后，我工作的地方是远在裕廊工业区的一家外资砖厂，但负责载送我往返的依然是那辆可爱的‘铁骑’，而捷径正好可从那时的中峇鲁（灾后‘新居’），穿越女皇镇沿着阿逸拉惹（Ayer Rajah）路直达裕廊工业区。那个年代，靠紧ABC啤酒厂一带应该是女皇镇最繁华的市区‘边陲’，住家、工厂、商店、咖啡座、街边摊贩栉比鳞次，医院也有一间，就是亚历山大医院。由于时常需途经亚历山大村ABC啤酒厂路段（那时交通圈还在），方能就近截取阿逸拉惹公路，遂顺道在附近的街边摊位蹓跶蹓跶，尤其轮值夜班时，总会停在一处卖印度羊肉羹配尖头面包的三轮车位前，先大快朵颐补充一下精力（当然，时而也会换换口味），再续程赶路。其时，这儿的夜市还挺热乎的，且软、硬件不一而足，因此，往来人流不绝于途。有时候，尚偶然会遇着些旧相好、“前学生”们，聊上几句别后的境况。其实，这里的村民绝大多数属中、下阶层，处事接物均温良、纯朴、敦厚，极富人情味。而我的众多莫逆之交亦皆散居于此。

讲实在的，无论是否因英女皇至此巡幸过，抑或为英女皇之登基而命名，女皇镇本身原就是个极其迷人的首善之域；与此同时，它也是个历届新加坡选举的“兵家必争之地”。（于焉，‘舞台上’的：“出将入相”戏码也就一直在重复搬演着。）惟其周遭环境既优美、安适，人文亦相当荟萃、多姿，交通又十分畅达，说地铁有地铁，要巴士有巴士，招德士有德士。至于中、小学也有好几所，还有图书（分）馆、华文报社、书店、百货公司、出版社、印刷馆、酒楼、电影院、车厂、庙宇、教堂、诊所等，几乎应有尽有。无怪乎，很多像我们一样的组屋住户，几十年啦，始终都不舍得他迁。一些曾在女皇镇寄居过的政治人物、社会名流姑且不提，单单我所熟悉的新华墨客、画家、演员就很不少，包括：（已故的）杨涌、雨青和翁翼，还有许锡勇、张挥、怀鹰、艾禺、馨竹、莫河、何必问、王振春、黄今英、刘培芳、梁文福、陈莉萍、长安人、张一、莫袅、许统泽……等数十名。瞧！多少艺文豪杰，尽云集此镇来；百般文气、几许艺才，皆为此镇添彩。他们当中，有些虽已迁走却仍三不五时地倒回头来怀旧、‘凭吊’一番。这就是女皇镇的魅力，女皇镇的风骚！它像似一位仪态万千的俏佳人，让人望一眼都要心醉咧！

历史的拐点总是充满吊诡。它时而朦胧，时而清晰，时而重叠，令人难以估摸。然则我觉得，它更似一部巨型之光阴动漫。当一页页慢慢精读时，你看到其细致的笔韵、线条；但于快速翻览后，所呈现在你眼前者，却是何其波谲云诡之立体场景。我与女皇镇的‘姻缘’，便是如此分分合合、千变万化的景观，可到终极呢，居然变成它的‘不二之臣’！

进入七十年代初，我依然绕不开这‘俏冤家’，又阴差阳错地进了太丰饼干厂与饼干为伍，续了几年的小镇‘旧情’。尔后，旋因‘避难’而暂时离开，去到偏远的蔡厝港农场跟猪狗、鸡鸭、花儿们相伴。一晃数载，待‘警报’解除后的八十年代，又从自我流放中复归‘故里’。以至于最终，女皇镇成为我修筑爱巢、再战文场的根据地——《赤道风》季刊这个‘文学婴儿’正是在此摇篮里诞生、长大的。（电光忽闪里，陡然联想起我的两段浪漫的初恋亦均发生于此镇，不禁莞尔了起来。）对了，差点儿遗漏的题外是，就在我定居史德林组屋后的九十年代中旬，正当组屋翻新的忙乱阶段，陪我出征了数十载的铁马竟于一夜间不明所踪，相信系遭‘顺手牵羊’而去，连警察也遍寻未获，害我悲愤相思了好长一阵子。

总之，世事多变。随着南洋商报社、ABC啤酒厂（连同那座地标式酒厂廊桥的消失）、新加坡纸品厂等的徙置，还有曾经“宠爱集一身”之十四楼、加上那群足以零售我少时记忆之大馆小铺的拆除，那些稍堪疗治文化贫血症之影院、书肆的相继凋零与易相，……诸多昔日的繁闹、丰姿、故事与失落，尔今尽皆成了历史的修辞和追记。诚惜哉痛也！另据考证：早年新加坡河的源头恰好即位于已然荒废多年之皇宫戏院门口，特此带上一笔，也算是给自己‘恶补’了一堂史、地课吧！

惟是，我苦恼：历史跟现实原本可以互相搀扶、并肩齐进的——就像其他文明古国那样，却不知为什么，我们的社会总是让历史屈服于现实的淫威之下；当作一介草民，我忧戚：将来从何拼贴起这曾经魅力无穷之市镇的零碎记忆；而身为文弱书生，我也无奈：往后只能在历史与现实的口岸间摆渡、默默泅。算了啦！我安抚自己：天既然要下雨，而发展又是规律，那就冷眼放看他朝，女皇镇怎生旧颜换新貌？如何构筑岁月的浮雕？但我更坚信：时代的瞬间再丰美，最终亦不外替历史长卷平添一抹彩墨而已。

方然

想阅读著名作家方然的新作品吗？请留意下一期的《女皇镇》杂志！

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #8 - Block 39A No More (The Removal of Block 39A Part I)

2011-04-05T23:08:00.001+08:00

On a Friday afternoon three weeks ago, several Bangladeshi workers, presumably from the Town Council, took their tool boxes to the lift lobby of Block 39A. In less than half an hour, they carried a metallic frame on their shoulders and placed it on a lorry parked in front of the apartment block.

Farewell Block 39A

The letterboxes

The stretch of corridor was once our playground

The potted plants - removed

I wanted to take some photographs of the beautiful sceneries around Queenstown that day. I dashed up the crooked stairs to the lift lobby. However, I realised that the noticeboards were gone.

The lift took me to the 15th floor. There were no familiar faces at the porch in front of the lobby looking over the skyline. I remembered that residents would place their sofas, undried laundry and coffee tables at the porch. Some older folks would even match up among themselves over a game of chess! Neither were there boisterous commentary on the singers' abilities and etiquette on the popular 黄金年华 singer competition. Suddenly, the corridor seems bigger. The potted plants were taken away too, except for some wilted plants I assumed the families had chosen to discard.

Empty corridor of Block 39A

Some of the windows along the corridors were visibly opened. I peeked into the windows of the apartment flats and saw an empty living room. I thought to myself and I began to comprehend that all the residents had shifted away. Most of them were lucky to be given the priority in the new blocks of flats at Dawson.

The Empty Room where we once cried and laughed...

The long living room where we once spent time with our family

I made my way to the 17th floor. The scenery in front of me was simply majestic. The different districts of Queenstown, in their unique and defiant contours, stood proudly in front of me. The historical Tanglin Halt and Stirling Road were inspirational whereas the youthful Strathmore and Dawson were vibrant and energetic. I believed Block 39A was the only place where our heritage and our future intertwined closely together.

My priceless memory of Block 39A

This image was unforgettable. This was where I spent countless hours reflecting on my stubborn approach to life. The sweet scent of natural breeze was what that motivated me to move forward whenever the going gets tough. Whenever there were setbacks, I could draw on the immense potential of our future to make myself believe that I could overcome obstacles.

The evening sun shone brightly across the edges of the sky and it was time for me to go home. The metallic gate was to close for the very last time today. I am truly thankful for the new friends made from my continuous interactions with the residents and the new insights gained through my hours of silent reflections. The majestic Block 39A was once our home, sheltering us from the torrential rains and enduring those tumultuous period with us. The old grand lady had to pass on. It leaves us with a undeniable legacy of memories and aspirations for the future.

Farewell my home.

Farewell my memories.

Farewell Block 39A...

In memory of Block 39A

Home Sweet Home #12 - Choo! Choo! The Train is Coming!

2011-04-03T20:52:00.001+08:00

Its is just another typical weekday afternoon where children can be heard playing outside after school, and delicious scents of home cooked food can be detected from a block away. Mdm Yati, 38, is a mother of 6 children and lives in Blk 55 Commonwealth Drive. Living in Commonwealth Drive for more than a decade, she has brought up her children into teenagers in the place where they now call home.

Yati and her Family at Block 55 Commonwealth Drive

Blk 55 is one of the few HDB flats which are situated so near to the KTM tracks. Located just an estimated 20 metres away from the tracks itself, the KTM has brought many problems as well as joy to the residents there. Yati explained that only a few years ago, they were living in constant fear of reptilian creatures such as snakes and huge lizards from the forested areas just beyond the tracks. In addition, there were frequent mosquito and insect invasions in the night. However, in recent years the forestry was cut further back from Blk 55 by the authorities and the problems gradually ceased.

Their Home Sweet Home - Which is next to the KTM Tracks

The KTM trains themselves have been a common sight and sound of residents in Blk 55. Mdm Yati commented that she often gets a shock during her afternoon naps, when the sharp and loud train blasts its warning horns. The train itself has not been causing any noise hazards but the real problem lies in the warnings horns. 'Aiya we live here so long already seasoned to it,' commented by an amused Mdm Yati.

Blk 55 has been a conducive place for her kids to grow up in, as there are many places for her kids to play in. The newly renovated playground just beside her flat and the street soccer court across the road has brought many laughter to Luqman and his siblings. It is also easy for Mdm Yati to monitor her young children in the playground, as she could just peep through either her front or back door.

The void deck of Block 55 where Yati's children spent their childhood

On a final note, Mdm Yati would continue to live in Blk 55 for as long as she can. She would miss the sights and sounds of the terminating KTM trains as her family have grown that used to it.

Blog Ratings March 2011

2011-04-01T13:36:00.003+08:00

2011 is the year when numerous familiar buildings in Queenstown will be demolished. MyQueenstown Blog, which captures the memories of residents, students and ex-acquaintance of the estate, has seen a substantial increase in our daily blog readership.

Readership on April 1 11:11 to 13:10

In two hours on a weekday morning (where ratings are usually very low as many are working and studying), MyQueenstown Blog recorded an average readership of about 10-13 unique visitors per minute or about 1500 readers in 2 hours. Exclusive features on places such as Commonwealth Avenue Cooked Food Centre (Margaret Drive Hawker Centre) are among the most popular.

In just 2 hours, there are over 800 unique viewers reading the post on the removal of hawkers at Margaret Drive Hawker Centre although the article was posted about one month ago. To date, there are over 56,500 views for that post as the article has been circulated around other major forums such as hardwarezone and sgforum alongside other blog posts about Queenstown Cinema & Bowling Alley, Queenstown Sports Complex and KTM Tracks.

Weekly Ratings 25-31 March 2011

In the past one week, our blog has attracted over 106,600 unique views. Credibility and neutrality are our core principles when we write each article. Every allegation or opinion in the post are well substantiated with photographs (of the interviewee). We are not affiliated to any business or political ideology and we remain committed to improve our content.

Our All-Time Top 10 Posts:

#1 Restricted Access@MyQueenstown #1 - Former Queenstown Cinema 78,789 views

#2 Restricted Access@MyQueenstown #3 - Former Queenstown Bowling Alley 75,241 views

#3 Restricted Access@MyQueenstown #2 - Palace KTV 69,290 views

#4 Restricted Access@MyQueenstown #4 - Alexandra Fire Station (Part 1) 66,053 views

#5 Restricted Access@MyQueenstown #7 - Ayer Rajah Camp (Part 1) 64,125 views

#6 Restricted Access@MyQueenstown #5 - Alexandra Fire Station (Part 2) 59,232 views

#7 Restricted Access@MyQueenstown #8 - Ayer Rajah Camp (Part 2) 57,240 views

#8 Random Thoughts@MyQueenstown #6 - Removal of Margaret Drive Hawker Centre (Part 1) 56,612 views

#9 Farewell MyQueenstown - Queenstown Remand Prison 55,279 views

#10 News in the Dump- Goodbye KTM Tracks 54,985 views

We are proud to be the content provider for Queenstown's newsletter, which has a circulation of 18,200 household. We will administer our principles and practices while writing for the newsletter. The second issue of the newsletter will be ready by May 2011.

Finally, MyQueenstown Team would like to thank all residents and readers for their continuous support =)

MyQueenstown Team

MyQueenstown Votes #3 - Growing Old in Queenstown

2011-03-31T22:07:00.000+08:00

For the past thirty years, Mdm Wong, 69, has been climbing that flight of stairs from Block 81 Commonwealth Close to the bus stop along Queensway. Each year, it appears harder and harder for her to complete that routine without a rest. Every two to three flight of stairs, she has to cling onto the pillars for support, catch her breathe, before scaling the rest of the staircases. Mdm's Wong experiences must be familiar for many Queenstown residents living in Mei Ling and Commonwealth Close. While Brickworks residents can enjoy the comforts of two elevators which connect ABC Market to the upper ridges of Rumah Tinggi, it puzzles many grey-haired residents in Mei Ling and Commonwealth Close why they are not given the opportunity of having an elevator to reduce their discomfort and inconvenience? Is there a lack of political will?

The never ending flight of stairs at Block 81 Commonwealth Close

Costs are cited as the premier reason why elevators are not built. Compare to the millions of dollars wasted in vanity projects, building an elevator can provide residents in Mei Ling, Stirling View and Commonwealth Close with convenience and scaling flights of stairs may be a thing of a past for these residents.

As reported in July 2010, the Mei Ling/Mei Chin/Stirling View district of Queenstown is built on top of the former Hong Lim Hill. Cemeteries, farms and villages used to populate the hill before a major excavation and land acquisition took place in the 1950s. In those days, technology was not advanced and the hill was not completely flattened. Dwarf-sized knolls spread across the estate and Mei Ling was built on one of them. Like other districts in Queenstown, some former residents of the village as well as victims of the Bukit Ho Swee fire moved into flats in Mei Ling. Even as the next generation of wealthier young adults, who had grown up in Queenstown, were heading towards newer estates to establish their own households, their parents, who preferred the comforts of the familiar Queenstown, did not follow and stay behind. Today, they have all grown old.

Mdm Lian is one such resident who faces difficulties in scaling the stairs

Mdm Lian is one of those residents who faced difficulties scaling the stairs from Stirling View. A devout Christian, she has to scale along the stairs before boarding a bus to reach her Church.

Elderly Programmes in Queenstown

Queenstown, an ageing estate, has many programmes which cater to the elderly's interests. One look at the list of programmes offered by the local community centre indicates that residents can participate in folk dances, karaoke, brisk walking, health screening and other activities in Queenstown. Low-income elderly residents can enjoy subsidies at Brickworks market and a proposed stamp-voucher programme at Mei Ling market. These programmes, undoubtedly serve the financial and social interests of the elderly population.

When MyQueenstown Team reported that a lack of elderly wellness and befriending initative in the estate, we are rebutted immediately, citing the availability of befriending and wellness activities offered by Wellness Centres and other Voluntary Welfare Organisations (although there are deficiencies in their approach in our opinion). However, a straw poll among 30 residents in Mei Ling and Tanglin Halt reveals that only 2 out of the 30 residents acknowledge the available of such programme, indicating either a lack of publicity or a lack of bureaucracy to run the programme efficiently.

The lack of interest towards the mental wellness of these elderly folks is prevalent in Stirling View. When MyQueenstown Team did our interviews and surveys there, we have met 16 elderly singles who do not participate in any community activities and live alone. We ask, "Is it really safe to leave them alone?" The outreach efforts have been muted and residents long to find someone whom they can approach and talk to. Will there be a permanent programme in Queenstown to serve the mental wellbeing of the elderly folks?

Find out more about the upcoming elections at our Elections@MyQueenstown portal

Peek into the perils of living in Strathmore and Dawson now.

MyQueenstown Votes #2 - Perils of a New Estate

2011-03-30T20:15:00.000+08:00

Life is not rosy for many residents at Strathmore and Dawson. Despite living in one of Singapore's premier district where Orchard, Shenton Way, Marina Bay and Harbourfront Front are stone's throw away, many folks at Dawson and Strathmore have feedback to our facebook sites and email, complaining about the atrocity in getting a simple meal, boarding a public bus or getting groceries.

The decision to close down the iconic and influential Margaret Drive Hawker Centre must be extremely ill-informed. (Besides our HDB flats, what is more important than a food centre/court/market?) Besides aggravating residents and ex-residents on the lack of political will to preserve the unique heritage and community identity, residents are deprived of a fully functioning food centre. Although the community leader had sincerely asked the residents to wait patiently for new amenities through his facebook (Read here), one resident named Shirley Wong commented, "I can wait patiently for more train trips, new parks or sheltered connectors, but I can't wait for five years (For Dawson to be ready) without eating."

Margaret Drive Hawker Centre is forever our pride and a symbol of our rich heritage

The exact time in which the hawker centre and the surrounding blocks (27A, 39A, 6C) would be excavated or demolished remains a mystery. It is likely that the surrounding blocks and the hawker centre may remain vacant for a period of time especially residents were spotted hanging clothes at the corridor of Block 27A. So why are the residents and hawkers asked to move out so early?

The decision on not to build a replacement or temporary hawker centre appears to be dud. One check at the prices of food at Dawson Place reveals that a plate of wanton noodle costs about $4 whereas a similar plate of wanton noodle (with more ingredients and better taste) at Margaret Drive costs just $2.50. Consider the rising costs of living, it's brainless to understand why many residents are worried about their immediate future (since every has to eat). Will the residents be compensated on this ill-informed decision?

Residents at Block 27A hanging clothes outside their house. The potted plants and bicycles are there and it seems they are not going to move out so soon. So when exactly will the blocks be demolished?

Mr Wong at Margaret Drive Hawker Centre during her last weeks of operations

Mr Wong, in his 20s, drop by after school for lunch. He feels that it would be a pity as the stalls would be relocated, as all of his visits to the hawker centre have been promised above average food. On the other hand, he thinks that the improvements would be good and that Queenstown needs a revamp as it is rather run down especially the central area. His concern is that residents would have to experience an increase in food prices in the future. Mr Wong thinks that a replacement market is necessary for the residents.

The new districts in Strathmore are starved of food centre as much as the availability of bus services. Despite having a growing population, there is only one bus service number 32 plying along Margaret Drive. There are repeated calls to improve the frequency of the bus route whereas other residents commented that a feeder service is necessary to bring residents from Strathmore Avenue to Mei Ling, Tanglin Halt or ABC market now that the food centre is demolished. However, that thought remains far fetched considering our bus services are profit-maximising rather than community centric.

(We will discuss about the transport services within Queenstown in the next few days)

There are many residents in Queenstown who committed suicide in the past few weeks. Don't be surprised if you read about a resident who "starve" to death in the coming weeks.

Who says Strathmore and Dawson is a "heavenly" district on earth?

Find out more about the upcoming elections at our Elections@MyQueenstown portal

Wei Jie

MyQueenstown Votes #1 - Who will win the Election?

2011-03-29T23:03:00.007+08:00

From this blog post, MyQueenstown will embark on an extensive coverage on the elections within our community. Unlike the traditional media and alternative media, this site will focus on residents' opinions, community's aspirations (aka what residents want) and the straw polls we have collected through our extensive network of volunteers and contributors in Queenstown. There will be no coverage on any political party as our team decides to stay neutral. The purpose of this site is to keep residents updated on the electoral process as well as to explore the main areas of concerns within our estate.

The first straw poll was conducted from March 8 - March 20. There are 520 residents who are interviewed for their views on the elections. All of these residents lived in Queenstown (including Brickworks). Some of these residents will be featured in the upcoming posts. The surveys or interviews are conducted in various spots in our estates. They include Commonwealth Crescent Market, Mei Ling Market, Block 88 Tanglin Halt, Tanglin Halt Hawker Centre, Stirling View, Block 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, Dawson Place & Queenstown MRT.

This election is going to be an exciting and meaningful one. The opposition camp has been more prepared while the candidates of the ruling party were "deemed as more controversial" compared to the previous elections. What makes this election even more important is that Queenstown will form about half the entire electorate in Tanjong Pagar GRC (strange name).

The results of the first poll:

Opposition: 37%

Ruling Party: 58%

Opposition: 45%

Ruling Party: 36%

Opposition: 38%

Ruling Party: 32%

Opposition: 55%

Ruling Party: 29%

Opposition: 32%

Ruling Party: 56%

Opposition: 42%

Ruling Party: 36%

Opposition: 40%

Ruling Part: 43%

Of course, there are many different issues propping up during the elections. Before we dwell into the specifics of different issues, let us take a peek at the likely issues among Queenstown residents and the breakdown of popular support into different age groups.

Older Singaporeans are likely to vote for the ruling party while the young ones aren't in Queenstown

Top 5 areas of concerns in Queenstown

The top 5 areas of concerns were pretty similar to a national poll conducted by Today newspaper yesterday. As the proportion of elderly in Queenstown is above the national average, the availability of elderly schemes has become a source of concerns among families with senior citizens. Furthermore, the cleanliness and maintenance from the Town Council has worried residents particularly in Strathmore & Stirling View. Other issues that have been suggested among our residents include accessibility in hilly areas (Commonwealth & Stirling View), jobs & education prospects, availability of opportunities to contribute in the community as well as the lack of amenities (particularly in Strathmore).

This straw poll also distances from the poll which we have conducted last August-September where there is a significant drop in popularity polls for the ruling party in Strathmore. Residents there cite the lack of amenities (due to closure of Margaret Drive NTUC, Margaret Drive Hawker Centre) and lack of accessibility (transport) despite a growing population.

We will feature some of the top issues and concerns among various segments of the Queenstown community

Read About the TOP Issues about General Elections within Queenstown:

Amenities in Strathmore and Dawson

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/03/myqueenstown-votes-2-perils-of-new.html

Elderly's Concerns about Infrastructure and Programmes

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/03/myqueenstown-votes-3-growing-old-in.html

Public Transport in Queenstown

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/04/myqueenstown-votes-4-transport-in.html

Rising costs of Hawker Food and Necessities

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/04/myqueenstown-votes-5-money-money-money.html

Archived Reports

In the mean time, let us browse through some of the previous issues reported:

1) Transport Issues within Queenstown
http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/01/myqueenstown-panorama-2-difficult-ride.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/08/cheaper-better-faster-transport.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/07/going-extra-mileforwards-or-backwards.html

2) Rising Cost of Living in Queenstown

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/01/myqueenstown-panorama-3-lunar-new-year.html

3) The "Outstanding" Maintenance & Cleanliness Problems

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/01/myqueenstown-mq-leaks-2-once-deaf.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/10/is-town-council-deaf-to-all-criticisms.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/06/litter-free-ambassadors-effective-or.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/06/queenstown-needs-maintenance.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/02/myqueenstown-panorama-4-lights-out.html

4) The Lonely and Penniless Elderly in Queenstown

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/12/does-death-solve-all-problems.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2011/03/myqueenstown-panorama-7-committing.html

5) Foreigners in Queenstown

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/09/who-says-we-hate-foreigners.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/09/who-says-foreigners-are-trash.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-in-life-of-bangladeshi-worker.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-in-life-of-bangladeshi-worker-part.html

6) Amenities in Queenstown

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/07/we-are-old-and-deserted.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/11/dawson-and-future-of-queenstown.html

7) Opportunities and Youth Programmes in Queenstown

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/11/disfigured-and-distorted-what-is.html

8) Lost of Heritage

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-bulls-about-conservation-of-built.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/09/who-says-foreigners-are-trash.html

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/06/goodbye-ktm-tracks.html

9) Affordability of Houses in Queenstown

http://myqueenstown.blogspot.com/2010/09/paying-high-price-for-home.html

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十七期

2011-03-28T21:13:00.000+08:00

谋杀罪修改为误杀后处在女皇镇美陵街弃尸案被告认罪

杀害六岁男童后，将他装在行李袋中弃尸加冷河畔，32岁男子昨天在控方将罪名从谋杀修改为误杀后认罪。案件展期本月28日让被告律师求情。调查指出，被告在把男童带走两天后，男童阿姨曾经联络被告说如果他不在12个小时内把男童送回家就要报警。

　　被告指男童跟着对他说“活该”，又问“现在你被骂了，什么时候回家”，还把游戏机的控制器扔在地上，惹得他（被告）往男童颈项或胸部踢去，并踹了男童五六下。男童之后一动也不动。被告莫哈末佐罕（32岁）面对的控状，指他在2009年11月20日，在女皇镇美岭街第151座组屋7楼一个单位内，踢和踹男童莫哈末拉莎帝（小名艾迪），造成他死亡，犯下误杀罪。被告一旦罪成，可被判坐牢最长20年，或终身监禁。

　　主控官邱金龙副检察司指出，被告在2009年中认识男童阿姨的男友。之后，被告和女友就常到加冷峇鲁组屋探望男童阿姨的男友。同年9月，阿丝玛要求被告和女友帮忙照顾家中的孩童。11月17日，被告和女友在男童家过夜。隔天下午，被告带男童出外。

　　同天傍晚6时，阿丝玛拨电给被告问起行踪，并通知他肃毒局到家中搜查，逮捕了他的女友。被告告诉阿丝玛不必担心，他会照顾男童。被告把男童带到女友在女皇镇美岭街第151座组屋7楼的租赁单位。18日晚上和隔天上午，阿丝玛两次联络到被告，要求他把男童送回家。之后，阿丝玛又多次拨电给被告，但被告没有接听。阿丝玛于是叫女儿诺勒雅娜传手机简讯给被告，告诉被告说如果他不在12个小时内把男童送回家，就要报警。被告接到简讯，感到生气。这时，男童突然说他不冲凉就要回家。被告听了掌掴男童两边脸颊，直到他看到男童的嘴唇流血才停手。男童被打后对被告说：“坏叔叔、坏叔叔，你打我。” 被告过后拨电给男童阿姨质问她，后者再提报警之事，让被告感到烦躁。在一旁观察被告的男童见状说“活该”。

　　挂电后，男童又问被告“现在你被骂了，什么时候回家”，然后还把游戏机的控制器扔在地上。此举惹得被告踢向他颈项或胸部，跟着又在他身上踹了五六下。男童之后一动也不动。不久，被告发现男童“死了”，为男童做了三四次的心肺复苏法，但是无法把他救活。被告把男童装入行李袋中，然后乘搭德士，把行李袋弃置在明地迷亚路第44座组屋后加冷河畔的树丛里。

首个一站式园艺中心开始向公众免费开放

首个一站式园艺中心开始向公众免费开放阳台添盆栽或是为花园铺石子路或装个小喷泉?再过六个月到一年,女皇镇图书馆后面一块8公顷大的土地将披上绿衣,公众将可在本地首个一站式园艺中心内,购买...甚至还有机会向专家讨教如何种植烹饪草药或香料。业者更预计,这个毗邻女皇镇地铁站、在惹兰本查拉(Jalan Penjara)的园艺中心(Garden Hub),将与日后建成的杜生区。

新公民＝新移民？招聘广告惹争议

一则只聘请“新公民”的广告惹非议,被指只要刚成为“新加坡公民的新移民”,排斥“土生土长的新加坡人”,引起网民抱不平。网友是在东陵福路一家食阁发现这张海报。原来一家韩国料理摊张贴征聘厨房助手海报,言明“只限新公民或永久居民”,竟然被网友误会“新公民”

Home Sweet Home #11 - From Stirling View with Love

2011-03-27T21:14:00.000+08:00

Senthil Nayagam, 39, lives with his wife and teenage son in Stirling Road Blk 170. They have been in Singapore for the past 2 years and now call Stirling Road their new home.

Senthil and his wife

His wife and himself frequently visit Meiling market for their groceries and meals, and have also familiarize themselves with the NTUC branch located just below their flat. Since their family are vegetarians, they prefer home cooked meals but they still do enjoy the occasional Chinese vegetarian dishes such as 'Mock Chicken' and Fried Bee Hoon.

Block 170 Stirling Road

Senthil feels safe living in Stirling and Singapore in general, as policemen can been seen patrolling the area and Singaporeans are generally kind. He even allows his son to play till lights off at the badminton court under his flat at night.

Being a devout Hindu, Senthil and his family visits the Sri Muneeswaran Temple. He was curious that the Blessed Sacrament Church is located just beside the temple. He is amazed by the unique sight in Singapore, which reinforces the stand on religious harmony. Senthil explained that this would never be possible in India as each individual Hindu temples would blast loud music through a dozen loudspeakers.

On a final note, Senthil would like to continue living in Singapore and make it his permanent home. However, the main part of his decision would lie on his work engagements and would sadly leave if his work requests him to.

Jasper Tan

Farewell MyQueenstown #6 - The Taste of Wanton Noodle Lingers...

2011-03-24T21:33:00.000+08:00

Mr. Phoon Hon Sun, 64, and his family started selling barbeque pork from a pushcart at the terminal for Hock Lee bus service no.9 some 53 years ago. The bus terminal was located next to Blocks 6B and 7 along Margaret Close, a cluster of flats which were demolished during the 1990s.

A familiar sight no more

Every afternoon, residents who lived in the seven storey apartment flats at Margaret Close would holler their orders and lower a basket with money. Thereafter, Mr. Phoon’s father would place their food and change in the basket before the resident start winching his meal up. The empty plates of noodles were then left by the door for collection in the evening.

Mr. Phoon's father pushing a pushcart

When the cinemas opened in 1970, Mr. Phoon and his family peddled their trade under a makeshift tentage in front of the cinemas. Kerosene lamps were used to light the mini tentage. Mr Phoon had to pump in and out the kerosene into a funnel within the lamps. Furthermore, whenever he needed water to wash the utensils, both Mr. Phoon and his brother had to go to the washing point next to the "toilets" to fill up 3 or 4 buckets. After several warnings and fines from the environmental officers, he had no choice but to move into the hawker centre.

Mr. Phoon's sister at the inaugural Clean and Green Week

Mr Phoon's father and younger brother

Margaret Drive Hawker Centre was a repository of affections and memories for Mr. Phoon. On one hand, he met his lifelong companion, who was an avid moviegoer. His wife would visit the cinema every weekend and come to his wanton noodle stall afterwards for lunch. After several conversations, they get to know each other.

On the other hand, he lost his beloved mother and younger brother to a gruesome murder at the hawker centre in the mid-1970s. He mentioned briefly that the 'fried oyster' uncle was jealous that his wanton noodle was very popular and customers often had to "sit" on their tables. (In those days, there weren't seats at the hawker centre. Individual stallholders are required to bring their chairs and tables for the customers.)

In light of its imminent demise, Mr. Phoon was bereaved and disconsolate. He said, “I spent my whole life here. How I wish I can stay here forever.”

Editor's Note: Mr. Phoon tried to find a stall in beach road to continue his BBQ stall business. Unfortunately or fortunately, he was unable to get one. He has decided to retire.

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #7 - A New Coat of Paint

2011-03-22T22:21:00.000+08:00

The Point Blocks, along with 5 other blocks at Mei Ling Street were given a new coat of paint over the past week. The familiar combination of blue, yellow and orange was a thing of the past as these foreign workers toiled day and night, rain or shine to make Mei Ling Street "attractive again." White seems to be the "in" thing in Queenstown lately. Ten-storey flats along Commonwealth Drive were painted white (mainly) too.

Block 162 in the evening sun

One resident, Edwin Leong, 14, commented, "I prefer the old colours. I feel very happy waking up to yellow and orange colours every morning. The pink and maroon combination is a little gayish (feminine)."

True, some residents also told us that they prefer the old colours to the new ones because they have gotten used to them. Furthermore, the new combination appears similar to other precincts in Bukit Merah.

There are others who welcome the change too, noting that the paint has peeled off at certain levels at the point blocks due to degradation.

Before

After (almost)

Home is where we belong. It's unsurprising to know that there are more residents disagreeing to to the colour change. Any changes to our home, our parks and our markets are bound to attract discontent and dismay. Nevertheless, the refreshing new look of the point block flats provide us with a different kind of energy. It seems as if Mei Ling hasn't aged at all.

I got a new colour too. Do you know what's my previous colour?

Home Sweet Home #10 - The Last Family at Block 27A

2011-03-20T21:15:00.001+08:00

Strong scents of food spices greeted MyQueenstown Team when we chanced upon Mohd Murshid's apartment at Blk 27A. At 42 years of age, Murshid has 3 young children and has purchased his current and first apartment 10 years ago. Today, Blk 27A has been vacated under SERS and Murshid is the last family to be leaving the block.

Reminising on old times, Murshid recalls all the hustle and bustle living just beside the Queenstown MRT station over the decade. He would never hear the daily morning siren from Remand Prison again. Used to the Margaret Drive NTUC branch, Murshid and his wife had already started to miss it only 1 week after its closure. The decades old shophouses under his block have also cease operations a few weeks ago. Even the trusty Margaret Drive hawker centre where Murshid would bring his family for supper at, has also been closed down.

As Murshid's wife, Mdm Jannah, is a Singaporean PR from Batam, her family frequently visits her in Singapore. It is very convenient to be living in Queenstown as bus 145 can easily take her to and fro the ferry terminal in Harbourfront. In addition, it is convenient for Jannah as well because she enjoys visiting Geylang for weekly grocery and wet market shopping. Their children's schools are located near the area and Jannah exclaimed that she could even wave goodbye to her daughter from her kitchen window, just before she enters the entrance of Queenstown Primary school.

View of QTPS from his house

Murshid describes his home as a warm and cozy place to live in, where the neighbours are all friendly and helpful towards each other. The day-long hustle and bustle in the area and a feeling that everyone knows each other is the trademark of living in Blk 27A.

Murshid's cozy home at Block 27A

Having decided to reside in Pandan Garden next, Murshid has a overwhelming sense of apprehension towards the drastic change in his place of reside. He expresses this fear and longing towards his current apartment in a single shard of tear rolling silently down his cheek.

On a final note, let us wish Murshid and his family all the best in their new home. Goodbye Blk 27A!

MyQueenstown Panorama #7 - Committing Suicides in Queenstown

2011-03-15T22:12:00.000+08:00

Yet another resident has committed suicide.

The devastating earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand have killed thousands and destroyed many homes. An explosion and feared meltdown at a Japanese nuclear plant on Saturday exposed the scale of the disaster facing the country.
More than 215,000 people were in emergency shelters in eastern and northern Japan on Saturday. Thousands more were trapped in buildings surrounded by swirling floodwaters and there were threats of nuclear radiation. It was a humanity disaster.

It was a humanity disaster in Japan. Yet there are others in Queenstown..

At 6pm around three weeks ago, there was a 72 year old man, Mr. Tan Eng Ann, committing suicide from his 10th storey apartment flat at Block 168A (aka Butterfly Block) in Queensway. He was pronounced dead 25 minutes later by the paramedics. He was identified by 2 man, believed to be his loved ones. MyQueenstown Team went to Mei Ling and Stirling Road districts to find out more about the suicide and opinions from residents regarding this family tragedy.

Merlene, 42, who lived in Mei Ling Street, commented that she did not know about the recent suicides in Queenstown and is quite shocked. She thinks that it could probably be due to family trouble or financial problems. She thinks that suicide is not the correct way to go and people should always avoid walking the path to suicide in the very first place, eg heavy gambling. "There's a will, there's a way."

Marlene (right)

Mr Mohammad Murshid, 42, was not aware of the recent suicide case in Queenstown but he is aware of the past cases eg, Tanglin Halt and also Block 181 opposite his flat. He feels that it could probably due to stress living the hectic Singaporean way of life or it could be financial troubles. He thinks that suicide would not solve the problems one has, instead passing them on to their family members or friends. He stressed that the Muslim religion would not pardon people who commit suicide.

There are no existing schemes in Queenstown to assist the elderly population, who lives alone and requires befriending, although there is a sizeable proportion of elderly within our estate. The service centres in Tanglin Halt and Mei Ling, as MyQueenstown Team understands, have manpower shortage. The Lion Befrienders at Mei Ling Street has scaled down in their operations and they have ceased their door-to-door befriending schemes.

MyQueenstown Team understands that there are a few elderly people living in Mei Ling Street and Brickworks are denied some generous assistance and support from the social groups and the state because they are "deemed to be over relying on the public assistance."

Our question, "Who are these people to determine 'over reliance?' They are neither professionals or social workers who have obtained their relevant degrees and diplomas in social work! It's always better to "give more" than "risk" the probabilities of these people living in the edges of the society giving up on themselves. Our team do not wish to list the names of these elderly individuals so as to protect their identities. As one elderly commented, "Committing suicide seems to be the easier way out for me because no one cares about me."

After all, it's a matter a choice whether an individual values his life. MyQueenstown Team is working with a group of young volunteers to implement a small scale befriending project in Mei Ling Street. Details will be confirmed once the project is deemed to be financially sustainable and meaningful.

"Death is a heartache which no time can heal. Love is a memory which no one can steal."

SMS 91769891 if you need any form of community assistance

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十六期

2011-03-15T21:41:00.000+08:00

为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻，《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》，把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。

原以为不久人世如今比妻子更健康老翁获准取回送妻组屋权益

申请在高庭进行审讯时,男子许强兴已经71岁,而跟他结婚40年的妻子何怡凤也69岁了。两人没有子女,他们目前都住在疗养院。许强兴是在1972年7月买下史德林路(女皇镇一带)第168座组屋10楼的一个单位,并且是唯一的注册屋主。 1993年起,许强兴的身体欠佳,动了几次手术。他在2006年7月也因为受感染而留医两个月

史德林景一代的组屋

警方捣毁位于女皇镇网上非法赌球集团赌注近150万元

事侦查局与警察情报局的警员，于星期一（7日）分别到女皇镇的史德林路、史达拉摩道

住宅区及公寓展开突袭捉人行动。

结果在行动中，警员共逮捕12名男子及一名女子，他们年龄介于22至53岁之间。警方相信他们都是一个网上非法赌球集团的团伙。在突袭现场时，警员总共搜获39万元现金、21台手机、15台电脑，此外还有一些提款卡、支票及交易账目。

Home Sweet Home #9 - A Filipino in Mei Ling

2011-03-12T20:32:00.000+08:00

Merlene, 42, was preparing lunch with his son when MyQueenstown Team visited her apartment in Blk 157 Meiling Street. Being Permanent Residents in Singapore, this is their first home in a foreign land since they shifted from Philippines more than 4 years ago.

Marlene and Ferdind

Merlene has 2 teenage children and both her husband and herself made a decision to emigrate here in seek of better jobs. The first impression of their new home is the general cleanliness of the neighborhood and the quiet surroundings in Meiling Street. In addition, both her husband and herself work near to town and thus living in Queenstown makes it very convenient commuting to and fro everyday.

In the four years of living in Meiling Street, Merlene and her family has already adapted well to the neighborhood and understands the Singaporean way of life. Even though the couple leaves for work early in the morning and returns home late at night, they still spend time chatting with their neighbours whenever they meet them.

Marlene and her family visit the Blessed Sacrament Church every Sunday

Merlene also learnt of more places where she can get her groceries apart from the Meiling market, such as Dawson Place and Tanglin Halt market. Being Catholics, they also visit Blessed Sacrament Church every Sunday and have linked themselves spiritually with the church over the years living in Meiling.

On a final note, Merlene wishes to renew her Singapore PR status at the end of next year as her family find their stay here enjoyable and happy. She even has her sights on being a Singapore citizen when given a chance but she would leave it all to fate.

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十五期

2011-03-08T22:08:00.000+08:00

为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻，《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》，把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。

女皇镇游泳池男更衣室有人抽烟

黄兆丰 2月22日下午3时前往住家附近的女皇镇游泳池游泳。当步入男更衣室时,就嗅到一股浓浓的烟味,还看到弥漫的烟雾。四周查看了一下,发现竟然有人在此吞云吐雾,对更衣室内“严禁吸烟”的告示牌。

女皇道七旬父儿子家坠楼死
七旬老爸在儿子位于女皇道的家坠楼身亡! 死者据了解是陈英安(译音,72岁),昨晚6时于女皇道第168A座组屋10楼坠楼,6时25分宣告死亡。记者在现场见到,2名身穿T恤、短裤的男子昨晚7时赶来认尸。

拍卖"手法转售组屋合理吗？

数月来伴随亲人在女皇镇区寻找转售组屋。其间除发现该区组屋的COV(Cash Over Value,溢价)未见...兵团式”和“拍卖式”销售手法,让人怀疑此类行为是否推高了溢价。年前女皇镇区组屋转售价中位数由58万多,到第四季度上升到61万。

'我得妇女病，要钱看医生' 两中国女郎装病骗狮城作家‘

红白”出书的王国铭(60岁),因为左腿受伤而丢工作,付不起租金,担心会露宿街头。王国铭告诉记者,他在前年11月,因为和妻子离婚,卖掉在联邦道一带的三房式组屋。卖屋利润当中,前妻分得3万2000元。他分得2万2000元,却在15个月内花完。他说,离婚后心情沮丧,辞掉工作整天在牛车水。

MyQueenstown Panorama #6 - Election Time!

2011-03-06T22:29:00.000+08:00

For once, the majority of Queenstown's 29,812 households and 85,000 population would go to the polls as a one community together. With the inclusion of the 'Buona Vista' ward into the Group Representative Constituency, the proportion of Queenstown residents will be the largest accounting more than half of the eligible voters.

Starting from this week, MyQueenstown Team will continue to give an insight into the Queenstown community and local issues which affect them; an update on the polls where our correspondents will interview and survey residents on their preferred choices. (No photographs will be published to protect the identity of the respondents from zealous people)

In this article, we will present feedbacks from residents in the 7 districts of Queenstown and explore on the topics or points of contentions.

Queenstown is almost reunited

District 1/2: Duchess/Princess Estate

The removal of Margaret Drive Hawker Center raised concerns from residents on the possibility of visiting pricier food centres in Dawson Place in the absence of a hawker centre. With the rising costs of living already punishing low income earners, the removal of the hawker centre also pose a problem for residents in Strathmore and Dawson as it is now more inconvenient.

Other hot button local issues include the deteriorating cleanliness in the district where residents are looking forward to better quality maintenance. Mr. Ong, who lives in Strathmore, commented, "there seems to be rubbish everywhere - in the lifts, in the parks and in the car parks. There are some places in Queenstown where there are insufficient car parks."

Mrs. Lim (Strathmore), who have two young children, "I wonder if they are going to build more schools here or open more classes. There are not enough child care for my younger daughter. And I have enrolled my son to Clementi Town Primary School because there are not enough places in Queenstown and New Town Primary School. It is so inconvenient and I have to work."

District 3: Tanglin Halt

The road alignments along Tanglin Halt and Commonwealth Drive continue to baffle drivers and residents alike. One part of Tanglin Halt was converted into a two-way street last year whereas the portion closer to Blessed Sacrament Church remains a one-way street. The result: Confusion, Jams and illegal U-turning.

The repainting of several chap lau chus along Commonwealth Drive was welcomed by residents, especially that these flats were in dire conditions prior to the upgrading. The residents are also looking forward to other enhancements such as the introduction of a new playground in Commonwealth Park. Other Tanglin Halt residents are green with envy. Mr. Lim (Block 20+) said "I hope they can come and paint my block too. The lift is a little creaky as well."

District 4: Commonwealth Estate

What's there for residents to complain here? The flats along Commonwealth Crescent and Holland Close look like condominiums. The markets were refurbished and the estate is located next to Holland Village. However, Mdm Chen (Block 81) do have her views on the accessibility of the flats at Commonwealth Heights.

She said, "The residents are getting older and many of us can no longer climb the flight of stairs to the bus stops at Queensway or Commonwealth Avenue."

District 5: Queens' Close

No markets, no food centres, no facilities. Queens' Close is located at the corner of Queenstown estate. Ever since the demolishing of Queens' Crescent in the 1990s, residents in Queens' Close have to be contended doing their marketing at the inaccessible Mei Ling Market or take a bus ride to Brickworks market two stops away. The dimly lit estate was also a concern for residents returning home every day.

A resident living in Block 23A had several heart burning issues but she declined to be named, "This is a small secluded area and I don't see the Police patrolling as often. There were noises at night and I wonder where they came from. This district may be quiet and condusive for my child to study. But in terms of security and safety, I need to wait at the lift lobby every night when she comes home."

How about Mei Ling and Buona Vista district? Stay tune for MyQueenstown Panorama next week!

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #6 - Goodbye Hurts! (The Removal of Margaret Drive Hawker Centre Part #1)

2011-03-05T22:03:00.000+08:00

Goodbye Hurts. The pounding of aluminium shelves and untwisting of screws begin as soon as we approached Margaret Drive Hawker Centre. It was 1 March 2011. There were no mouthwatering hawker dishes awaiting us. Neither were there welcoming smiles from the stallholders who slogged their whole lives at the cramped, greasy and confined space. It was the day when stallholders returned their keys to the environment ministry. It was the day when Margaret Drive Hawker Centre became history.

The Lights were switched on - for a very different reason today

We were perfect strangers some 2 years ago. The hawker centre was a mere landscape of ordinary, where I had my breakfast and lunch after a visit to the library or a short shopping spree at the super market. I did not comprehend the blossoming civic life in Queesntown, lest start a blog which devoted half its content to the preservation of history and heritage. The shop keepers and hawkers were passerby in my life and I had no particular interest about them.

The lamp post (which uses tort wires)

The toilets (which were free at night)

The carpark which was full on Sundays

The dividers which I frequently knocked onto

We were strangers. Now we are friends. They thought that I was a weird young man with nothing better to do except for asking around for interviews. I guessed the hawker centre was one place I had visited most during these two "history indulgent" years. They began to open up and share secrets and stories about their lives, their families and their hobbies. I remembered fondly the way Mr. Poh Piah shook his head and wept quietly when he recalled his good old days. I remembered how Mr. Cha Kuay Teow would "clink clink clonk clonk" while preparing a "humful" plate of char kuay teow. Mdm Duck Noodle would ask me about my school work. Now, they were no longer around. All that was left was their mobile phone number and their lingering smiles in my memory.

Mdm Fishball Noodles

Mr. Wanton Mee Uncle

Mr. and Mrs Duck Noodle

I had to admit that there were many delicious food at the Margaret Drive. I liked Jin Dou Duck Noodle the most and I loved that tender taste of duck meat and drinking that bowl of herbal soup. The nice and cool cheng ting which followed was heavenly. If I were having lunch with a group of like-minded friends, the portion of duck meat will increase disproportionately and dim sum, poh piah and wanton noodle might see their appearance on the table. Well, I am a glutton.

Ladder for removing the lights and display boards

Gone were the cheng ting stall

Empty Hawker Centre

Pipes which were turned off

A second storey of broken wires and empty walkways

Shutters drawn

I'll remember every inch of the hawker centre in my heart. In the years to come, I may forget some of the faces and the locations of my favourite stall at the hawker centre. Perhaps I find the new development hip, modern and cool. No matter where I am, I'm grateful for the hawker centre - for opening the gateway to the rich history and heritage of the most wonderful estate. Nothing holds, except for the pieces of memories etched in my mind.

Up on the truck she goes

Home Sweet Home #8 - My Museum Home

2011-03-01T20:40:00.001+08:00

Amin, 43, lives with his family and in-laws in Blk 2 Holland avenue. Amin's father-in-law has lived there for more than 15 years, since their old apartment in Blk 5 has been demolished. They currently occupy 2 apartments side by side, only separated by a single partition door which makes their combined house space seem gigantic.

Amin and his beloved antiques

Living in Holland is especially classy to Amin's friends, as they would often joke about the current high market value of his apartment. As Holland Village is just across the road, his friends can simply drop by and visit Amin after a cup of tea in the area. Amin is especially looking forward to the completion of the Circle line in Holland Village as it would definitely mean greater convenience in traveling to work for him.

Amin's amazing collection of antiques

As Amin used to work part time in the National University Of Singapore's Museum previously, he developed a keen interest in historical antiques since then. His house is decorated with numerous antiques which he painstakingly collected from either his friends or from abroad. One of the more unique pieces is the tradition Malay betal nut preparation kit box. He explained that the various metal tools are used to snip off rough ends of the lime leaves and betal nuts, which are then folded together to make a betal nut snack. Similar to the Malay preparation box, the Indian soldiers also uses a kit for their own consumption of betal nut snack.

Betel nut preparation kit box

Swords at Home!

Chinese Arhat!

Besides his proud collection of antiques, Amin also spends his free time admiring his pet bird. He explains that it is a 'stone canary' and describes it to be a common bird among Singapore's birdwatchers.

On a final note, Amin feels that a home should be somewhere to relax after a hard day of work. He would look forward to the delicious dishes and heartwarming smiles from his children at the dinner table.

My Queenstown

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

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女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十四期

Pasar @ MyQueenstown #2 - the Provisions Shop Golden Couple

MyQueenstown Celebrates: 端午节 Duanwu Festival

新镇、老区各风采

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十三期

EXCLUSIVE: Stirling Road Blaze Minute-By-Minute Guide

Stirling Road Blaze Kills Resident

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #9 - 7 Funerals in 2 weeks

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十二期

Long Hwee Book Store

“鸟”先生

Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十一期

Pasar @ MyQueenstown #1 - the Mother and Daughter at the Green Green Stall

Man Knocked By Incoming KTM Train at Tanglin Halt

Queenstown Baptist Church

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十期

永别了！女皇镇！#7 一摊油条传三代

MyQueenstown Votes #8 - Apprehension, Worries & Fears

MyQueenstown Votes #7 - Surprises at Nomination Day!

Home Sweet Home #15 - A New Day Has Come =)

Archipelago Brewery Company (Anchorpoint)

MyQueenstown Votes #6 - Only a Fool Believes HDB Flats are Affordable!

Brand New Series this May!

Lost & Found @ MyQueenstown #1 - Boh Beh Kang

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十九期

Home Sweet Home #14 - Farewell Holland Drive

MyQueenstown Votes #5 - Money Money Money! Queenstown Needs More Money!

MyQueenstown Votes #4 - Feeder Service Woes

Home Sweet Home #13 - Commonwealth 10! Here I Come!

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十八期

历史的拐点 时代的瞬间

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #8 - Block 39A No More (The Removal of Block 39A Part I)

Home Sweet Home #12 - Choo! Choo! The Train is Coming!

Blog Ratings March 2011

MyQueenstown Votes #3 - Growing Old in Queenstown

MyQueenstown Votes #2 - Perils of a New Estate

MyQueenstown Votes #1 - Who will win the Election?

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十七期

Home Sweet Home #11 - From Stirling View with Love

Farewell MyQueenstown #6 - The Taste of Wanton Noodle Lingers...

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #7 - A New Coat of Paint

Home Sweet Home #10 - The Last Family at Block 27A

MyQueenstown Panorama #7 - Committing Suicides in Queenstown

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十六期

Home Sweet Home #9 - A Filipino in Mei Ling

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第十五期

MyQueenstown Panorama #6 - Election Time!

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #6 - Goodbye Hurts! (The Removal of Margaret Drive Hawker Centre Part #1)

Home Sweet Home #8 - My Museum Home

历史的拐点时代的瞬间