Page 113 - Stories from our Grandparents

I Mdm Cheng Wei Ling Born 1941
migrated from Port Dickson in
Malaysia to Singapore in 1967.
One of my most memorable
childhood experiences was
NCC Land St Patricks’ School
swimming in the open sea and By Russell Lye
playing in fields in Port Dickson
as it was very enjoyable and I felt
very carefree. Another memorable Mdm Khoo Poh Tay y name is Cheng Wei Ling. I was born in 1941 in Singapore
experience was when I was Born 1941 when it was still a British colony. During the Japanese
around 4 years old, By Lee Ze Quan Joshua Occupation, my parents took us to live in the jungle in
a snake entered NCC ACSI MMalaysia which had no running water and electricity.
my house in
the night and We had to endure many hardships such as mosquitos and we had to survive
all the children Luckily, I was not affected much on rice water. When the Japanese occupation was declared over, we all ran
were terrified. We survived as I was a graduate and had a into the streets and danced around. At that time, I was nearly four years old.
during the tough times of the secure job. Transportation was
war as my father was able to either through buses that were “When I was ten years old, we moved into
supply us with food due to his crowded, stuffy and did not come the first HDB flat in Singapore. Back then, the
job as a trader. My parents also frequently or through pickup taxis HDB flats had no lifts and we had no choice
planted tapioca, sweet potatoes which four passengers shared for
and vegetables in the village. 40 cents. I also visited kampongs. but to take the stairs.”

Before Singapore’s independence Overall, people seemed to be quite To get around Singapore, we had to take buses
in 1965, a fearful experience that I contented with their way of life in with no air-conditioning. Back then, there were
went through was hearing about the kampong. no MRTs nor Ubers! I was fortunate to be able to
the racial riots in Singapore and travel overseas for my university education. After I
Malaysia. However, my family “I am very glad and grateful graduated, I returned to Singapore and joined the
managed to avoid any trouble by to be part of current-day Singapore Civil Service. I started work at the Ministry
staying at home. One main problem Singapore as it is safe, clean of Health as a Nutrition Consultant and I remained in
of Singapore after independence and progressive.” that job for the next thirty years.
was that many people were poor I have lived through Singapore when it was a British colony, during the
and jobs were scarce. I hope that the next generation Japanese occupation, when it was a part of Malaysia and as an independent
of Singaporeans will be kind, nation. I have grown up watching Singapore transform into the state it is
hardworking, honest and can live today. If I were asked to give advice to the younger generation, I would say,
harmoniously with all races. My study hard, work hard and be thankful for what we have today.
name is Khoo Poh Tay, born in 1941,
and I worked as a director.

54 Grandma Stories Grandma Stories 55