Farewell MyQueenstown

Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

On 30 Jun 2011 | 6 Comments

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."

永别了!女皇镇!#7 一摊油条传三代

On 30 Apr 2011 | 1 Comments

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!

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

On 24 Mar 2011 | 18 Comments

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

Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown

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

On 24 Apr 2011 | 11 Comments

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 ap

Home Sweet Home #14 - Farewell Holland Drive

On 17 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

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 c

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

On 10 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

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 chi

News@MyQueenstown

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

On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 Comments

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 ol

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 Comments

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 on

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 Comments

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

My Father and I

Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate

On 14 May 2011 | 2 Comments

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

Queenstown Baptist Church

On 03 May 2011 | 1 Comments

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 Ch

Archipelago Brewery Company (Anchorpoint)

On 22 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

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.

Makan Shiok!

Snacks Attack #13 - Ah Luck Bean Curd

On 23 Dec 2010 | 2 Comments

Mr Chua, 25, runs Ah Luck Beancurd in Tanglin Halt market for more than 2 years. He is renting the stall from the original owner who has based his stall in the same area for more than 40 years. Ah Luck Bean Curd offers drinks and deserts such as soya bean drink, grass jelly and the residents' favorite soya bean curd (60 cents). A Delicious Bowl of Bean Curd

Snacks Attack #12 - Satay Mad in Tanglin Halt!

On 16 Dec 2010 | 7 Comments

 Ann, 46 runs the family food stall for over 10 years in Tanglin Halt hawker centre. Serving halal food for over a decade in the same place, Ann has integrated her dishes to suit the taste buds of Queenstown residents, especially the Malay community. The simple food stall offers snacks such as satay, otah and seafood dishes. As a family styled bus

Snacks Attack #11 - Almond & Peanut Paste!

On 09 Dec 2010 | 0 Comments

DessertStory, located in Anchorpoint basement one, has been serving residents tasty snacks and deserts for the past four years. Wendy, the supervisor of the cafe, introduced the various homemade desserts that they offer. A bowl of Almond Paste Hot desserts are mainly the favourite choice among Queenstown residents. Firstly, they have almond paste which is m

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown

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

On 22 May 2011 | 0 Comments

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 o

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

On 05 Apr 2011 | 8 Comments

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 corrid

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

On 22 Mar 2011 | 1 Comments

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-store

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A Day in A Life of A... Construction Worker

By my queenstown on Monday, July 12, 2010 with 2 comments

Sighting foreign workers in food centres, shopping malls or sports complex is certainly not unusual these days. The influx of foreigners has sparked controversy among Singaporeans and many of these misunderstandings can be traced to our lack of knowledge on their lifestyles and personalities. Today we will be spending a day with a Mr Liu Bu Long, who is a foreign worker based in the construction line. Mr Liu is from Jiang Su province in China, as many of his colleagues are. His brother, Mr Liu Jian and he came to Singapore five years ago in search of a better job.

Mr Liu

Mr Liu starts his day at 8a.m with the various metal works, in which he left them on the previous day. Currently, their construction company is working on a Selective Enbloc Redevelopment Scheme Project. The two brothers are fortunate that they are working together on the worksite, as they are able to assist each other whenever possible. When asked, Mr Liu commented that he misses his parents back in his hometown very much. Foreign workers are allowed to visit their hometowns whenever time permits for it, provided that they purchase their own air tickets. He fondly recalls the short but sweet reunion period he spent with his family during the Chinese Lunar New Year a few months back.


He is building flats for us

Mr Liu worked throughout the entire morning with a couple of breaks in between. It was slightly raining but they had to keep working in order to keep up with the tight schedule. At about 12pm, Mr Liu finally had the chance to grab his well deserved lunch. The canteen was small but the Chinese mixed food stall and the drinks stall beside it, was sufficient enough to cater for the entire construction team in the gigantic worksite. MyQueenstown team asked Mr Liu about the intensity and components of his job scope. ‘We handle the exterior construction of the HDB flats. We deal with metal and concrete works which involves the basic construct of these flats. Basically we do whatever the foreman instructs us to!’


Lunchtime!

After having his lunch, Mr Liu headed straight back to work. The rain had ceased and the sun was shining once again in this bizarre June weather. The physical labour was intense and Mr Liu’s brother can be seen entirely drenched in sweat, while he handles the lifting of huge metal bars from a fully loaded supply truck. Mr Liu explained that the Singaporean construction companies in which he worked before, are reasonably just and fair in the treatment of their foreign workers. They work on a yearly contract renewal basis which they can choose to quit after one year of labour. 


The foreign workers work from 8a.m to 7p.m from Mondays to Fridays and from 8a.m to 5p.m on Sundays, with overtime ending at around 10p.m. Mr Liu disclosed that he earns around $1200-$1700 per month, after the deduction of agent fees. Mr Liu is fairly unhappy with the alleged huge amounts of ‘middle-man’ or agent fees that they are required to pay back in China. Most sentiments from the other foreign workers reflected their concern over the expensive fees required for them to secure a job in Singapore.


Mr Liu's foreman

At about 7p.m, all work had to be wrapped up and the foreign workers headed back to their dormitories in the old building formerly known as the Queenstown Polyclinic in Margaret drive. A flurry of movements followed, as the Chinese foreign workers rushed either to bathe or to have their dinners in the dorm. 


Margaret Drive Dormitory

As the foreign workers are not allowed to cook in the Margaret Drive dorm, they had to either purchase their food from the nearby Cooked food centre, or prepare simple food fares such as instant noodles. Many foreign workers gathered to watch television as their past time in the common area. Others were too exhausted and slept soon after they had eaten and had their baths.


Mr Liu explained that the Margaret Drive dorm was many times better than the one he previously lived in, which was situated in Bukit Batok. ‘It is conducive and quiet place for us in live in. My only complain is that Singapore’s weather is extremely hot all year round!’ Mr Liu told us that honestly that his job scope is extremely intensive as compared to any job back in China. However, he is also paid many notches higher than his counterparts in his hometown.


Toilets at the Dormitory


Security at the Dormitory

Mr Liu has nothing much to distract himself from the harsh daily working cycle, other than looking forward to the paycheck every month and the next visit home. MyQueenstown asked Mr Liu about his future plans and he replied, ‘I hope that everyone will always be healthy and safe. Personally, I will return home if I think that there is sufficient money for my family or when I am not needed anymore!’

Let’s wish Mr Liu and the other foreign workers all the best in their careers. 

Category: A Day in a Life of A...

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2 comments:

Ng Hou Seng said...
July 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM

Hi Editor, Please convey my thank you to the Margaret Drive dormitory residents. We're proud to see their contributions in the estate improvement projects. I hope the little goodwill gesture of sheltering them in conducive environment for a good night rest is no big deal.This is our way to show appreciation for their hard work and a token of comfort to dwell in. Now, WSHAC, NTUC & related agencies are performing risk assessment. After settling the live in issue, we're moving on to transporting between venues.Every possible solution to make our workers happy morally, mentally,psycologically & comfortable will be examined.Please be patient for more goodies on the way.Rescue package to relieve their stress & strain toiling in the workplace do not go unnotice by our administrators.
Towards this end, let's join in the Happy Birthday celebrations. I'm penning off now, over to you readers.
Concerned resident,
Ng Hou Seng

Buck Arunachalam said...
November 5, 2011 at 7:56 AM

Being a construction worker is really a tough job. But as long as you're safe and you love what you do, then you're on the right track.

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