10 January 2016

The Straits Times

In light of the overwhelming subscriptions that the HDB’s launch of flats located at Bidadari Estate, a former cemetery, had received, the Straits Times uncovered several other places in Singapore that comes with a dark past as well.

Some of these places are now home to prominent landmarks such as Sentosa, the ION Orchard and Ngee Ann City, Fort Canning Green as well as the Basic Military Training Centre located at Pulau Tekong.

Others, despite its history, are currently a bustling area for business, institutions, and leisure and recreation activities such as Bedok Reservoir, Bishan area, Punggol Beach as well as Changi Beach Park just to name a few.

Professor Brian Farrell, Head of the Department of History, opined that places with a dark past will undoubtedly have a lingering effect on the present. However, they are viewed differently by each individual.

He says, “In the case of Changi, a historian can see it as an important site where sad events once took place. But to a young person, it could just mean a nice beach and a ferry ride to Pulau Ubin.”

To read the full article, click here.