Heartland: A Singapore Perspective by Cassie Ang

CASSIE ANG

Heartland A Singapore Perspective

For my fellow citizens and anyone curious about us. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Writer + Designer: Cassie Ang Paper: Cover â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Maple Bright 220gsm Inside â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Maple Bright 140gsm Stocked by RJ Paper Printed in Singapore

heartland (noun) the central or most important part of a country, area, or field of activity. Oxford American Dictionary

Content 6

Introduction

A Singapore Heartland

The numbers

Ang Ah Lay

Aaron Tan

The Way Ahead

Jethro Leong

Irene Ho

What they talk about in the bedroom when the children are fast asleep

Kelly Yeo

Issac Liang

Sarah Afiqa

Katrina Lam

Caroline Teng

Chloe Seet

Block 39

Jacob Ng

Ong Kim Fong

Tang Wey Lin

katong

Poon Mun Wai

Yogeswary Thiayagarajah

Credits

Acknowledgements

Introduction Like a majority of Singaporeans, I grew up in a HDB flat so creating a publication with the theme of heartland should have been simple enough. I felt however, that I did not quite understand the term. Living in a point block (four units a floor) feels less “heartland” than the slab blocks of say, Toa Payoh. There seemed to be a cultural and social implication of the term that somehow escaped me. As a young Singaporean, I was curious to know what it was and how it would affect my identity. My research showed that the term “heartland” seemed to have a negative connotation when it was first used but that was more than a decade ago. In rapidly developing Singapore, that is a long time. In that time, we have moved from being an emerging young nation to a thriving cosmopolitan city. Our quick rise has caused the landscapes to be almost unrecognisable now but one thing is for sure, public housing continues to grow on our Little Red Dot. So what exactly is a Singapore heartland? How do Singaporeans define it? Is the term still relevant? In this book, I have tried to ask a variety of people so that the definition can be more accurate but I recognise the limitations of an individual project. What I truly hope is you will think about questions I have asked my interviewees and this would spark a conversation about our Singaporean identity because ultimately, we shape it and what better way to start than right at home.

Heartlanders was a term popularised in 1999 by thenPrime Minister Goh Chok Tong, to characterise the majority of the Singapore population that is generally poorer, less educated, either working class or lower-middle class, speaks a distinct variety of English (Singlish), lives in HDB housing estates, and has a local (rather than global) perspective on political, economic and cultural issues. Extended definition: heartland, Websterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Online Dictionary

Residental properties managed by Housing & Development Board In 1999

1-room

2-room

3-room

4-room

5-room

Executive

In 2009

82% Percent of Singaporeans who live in HDB flats in 2009

88.6% Home ownership by Singaporeans & Permanent Residents in 2011

1146.2 Number of resident households in 2011

997068

Total number of HDB flats in 2009 since its 1960 inception

Ang Ah Lay Age group: 60 to 70 Occupation: Semi-retired Lives in: Bukit Timah

The first question is what does the word heartland mean to you? What does it mean to me, huh? In the Singapore context, I mean I think, there’s… I’m not even sure that this word exists in the dictionary. It does actually. The dictionary defines it as a central area, where a lot of things happen, where most of the population is, I suppose. It’s a central; it’s like a main concentration of people. In a sense, that usage of that word probably has no political or social undertone. I think in the Singapore context, when it was used, I suspect it also wasn’t used in the political sense. It was used as the fact that 85% of Singaporeans lived in these places and therefore it is the heartland, it is the heart of the region. In that sense, I think when the politicians started to use it; my own take of it is that they actually have no political implication. It was just, in my opinion, where 85% of the population lived. I mean it’s a huge number. People like myself, living in this kind of houses, we only form a small minority so I think it was a distinction, a political awareness that hey, actually most of the votes will come from there. Even if we vote for or against, without being able to carry the heartland votes, I think nobody can win, if we are talking about a 50% plus one vote as a winner. So it is, in my view, if you say Singapore’s political system in the elections is based on first past the pole, it’s not proportionate you see. Therefore, I think it was defined at that time to say, in my view, that the heartland requires attention, that their well-being would determine how well any politician can do and not votes

from less densely populated areas. Singapore is densely populated but relatively speaking, obviously this area is very sparsely populated. So I think that was what was meant by heartland. Well, my research shows that when we talk about a Singapore heartland, it was defined in 1999 when Goh Chok Tong was Prime Minister as a word, to characterise the majority of Singapore, like you said. Generally, they lived in HDB housing estates. They were generally poorer, less educated, working class, and had a small world view in the sense that they had a very localised perspective on cultural issues, political and economical issues. So… They were more concerned with bread and butter issues, true. So my question is do you think that this is still true today? For this description of heartland or Singapore heartland. I think by and large, it still holds true. Although obviously the gap is narrowing, meaning it’s just like our school system. When I went to Raffles, Raffles was far ahead. Very far ahead, compared to say Jurong Secondary School, you know? I’m talking about the 60s, the 70s, way apart, almost elitist. But today it’s very narrow now. Similarly, I think our social structure in Singapore has also changed considerably. With the heartland increasingly constituting more educated, more higher income, more well travelled, you know? More sophisticated, increasingly the gap is narrowing. But I think there’s still a gap. That the rich, the more well educated will live outside the heartland. But the gap’s certainly narrow.

Meanwhile, the physical aspects of our heartland has also improved a lot within the last few decades, meaning a lot of it is self contained. They have hospitals; they’ve got social amenities. Therefore, that again attracts people to go live there. People like me, I now say, hey, why do I have to go so far to go ride the MRT. Why is it that I take so much trouble to go buy a loaf of bread? So the heartland regions or areas are now having more and more appeal but again that is negated by the MRT, I can tell you that. That’s my own view because now I have an MRT right at Botanic Gardens, you see? So we’re talking about a very small place. And it’s hard to have very distinctive regions or areas that are unique. Let’s say in China maybe, Shen Yang in the north is very different from Suzhou for example. They have totally different attributes. And if you blindfold somebody and bring him to a city, he can almost tell which city it is because there are certain different attributes, but Singapore, you can’t find. So I would say to your question, yes, I think the distinction is still there but very blur now. And it will continue to, these attributes, these distinguishing attributes, will continue to weaken. So how would you rewrite this definition for 2011 and beyond? How can we quantify this word that Goh Chok Tong has given to us and use it for the future? When it was first used, it was probably a lot, a bit more, pejorative. Disparaging, meaning it’s not so kind. Like, (sigh) you all are unsuccessful. Sort of. But I don’t think it is now. The new definition would probably suggest that, it is middle income, meaning it’s burgeoning, it’s economically well, it’s alive, it’s intellectual, it’s got scholastic content, it’s sophistication.

14 We always speak about the middle class, the emerging middle class of China or the emerging business class of India. I think this is our middle class now, our backbone. The heartland is now the new middle class of Singapore. There will always be the lower income, the poorly educated, the, to use a very disparaging word, unsuccessful part of society, maybe the last 10, 15%. Like the cab drivers, the waiters, those low-income salary people, the cleaners, who earn a thousand bucks a month. They will be in a struggle. They would, of course, be in a heartland. But the bulk, the other 70, 60 percentage point, I’m saying 84% of Singaporeans live in a heartland, defined as HDB. I would say the bottom 20% are poor, the other 50% anecdotally have got purchasing power, are educated, now influenced I think, by the influx of immigrants. The migrants have also caused a distortion in this. It is going to cause a distortion. Perhaps for the better. Because I think if we understand the government’s policy, this is to energise, to revitalise, we Singaporeans. And so I think that’s going to add to this HDB transformation because I don’t have any statistics, I don’t even know whether there are statistics or not, but I suspect that every 100 migrants coming into Singapore, I think 90% are housed in a heartland. Maybe even more. So the impact to the heartland will be a lot more. Most immigrants are probably not Singaporean citizens. Therefore, they cannot buy landed property. There are restrictions. That’s one. There are legal restrictions. Second restriction is economic restriction. They can’t afford. There’s no affordability.

Houses are not affordable, whereas the government can have special schemes where they can lift in some manner and all that. All these people who are here, who work in various capacities as accountants, or lecturers in your polytechnic, they are all probably housed in HDB So I would say that aside from the bottom 10, 15%, I think the rest are well educated and can add a lot of value to the Singapore economy. Have you at any point of time in your life stayed in a heartland? No, I have not. I have not, not because I didn’t want to but because as I was growing up, the policies disallowed. Now the policies are fairly relaxed, but when I was trying to raise my children and we actually tried applying but we couldn’t get because we didn’t qualify on income. In those days, it was very rigid. In the early decades, it was truly, meant to be home… And this is another point. When the HDB government housing scheme started, it was meant really for those who were economically disadvantaged. But over the years, that characterisation no longer applies. And the income qualification has been raised quite considerably, such that most Singaporeans can qualify. I can qualify only if I sell this house. So now it doesn’t work for me. I have not lived in a HDB flat. No, I have not. Will you consider it as you grow older? I would. Actually, I think it’s got great attractions for retirees like me, in terms of infrastructure, convenience. I must say to you that it’s still very hard for me to buy a simple thing like a loaf of bread, you know? I have to travel somewhere; I don’t go downstairs, whereas if I were living in Ang Mo Kio or Toa Payoh or Sengkang, I can just go downstairs. There’s MRT, there’s bus, there’s food, there’s market. The amenities are all around, you know? I don’t have that here, so yes. The problem is now, I face all these hurdles, I face all these disqualifications.

I think this is our middle class now, our backbone. The heartland is now the new middle class of Singapore.

Perhaps this description of the heartland and the non-heartland is doing Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society harm.

That’s all the questions I have. Perhaps the definition is doing us harm. Perhaps this description of the heartland and the nonheartland is doing Singapore’s society harm. In the sense that it has segregated, like segregation in the US of the Blacks and the Whites. And I think the government is aware of this. That’s why you see HDB flats in Holland Village. It’s a bit of a mess around, you see? They try to make it more even. Correct, correct. So every district has HDB. That is right. But there remain enclaves, like mine. This enclave is very strong. This enclave of private housing is very big, in the Singapore context. And Serangoon Gardens and Bukit Timah. Yes, Bukit Timah and then Old Holland Road. Now these enclaves are predominantly private and the people who live in there are in a different world, you know? Because there’s a firewall. And over time, through marriages, through social integration, meaning I think marriages is also a leveller. In other words, I have seen somebody who lives in a private estate marry a heartlander. These marriages cross the so called living environment. And it breaks down, slowly. Also the other thing that breaks it down is the quality of the heartland, Because the quality of housing improves, there is a migration. There is a migration from the non-heartland into the heartland. Like yourself in the future? Ya, ya. And perhaps the government, perhaps

my suggestion is for the government to facilitate this migration, to allow Singaporeans who want to live in HDB from private, to ease their of way to getting a- Like me, I have restrictions. Why? I have private property but to ask me to sell my private property, I won’t. But previously they did, you know? That’s how my sisters can bought. The rule just changed, you see? They can impose restrictions on me. They can say that I cannot, I must not rent (my private property), fine. But of course there are political implications. Why? Because property prices go up. It’s a political hot potato. But I can see the fact that, the label of the heartland may unwittingly, unintentionally give rise to a firewall of having the predominantly more wealthy, predominantly, I didn’t say all, I say predominantly more wealthy, predominantly more educated, all right? Predominantly more well travelled and predominantly well informed, predominantly, non-heartlanders. There will be this wall. This wall is there. It’s still there. And over the years, I suspect that with growing HDB, that there is now migration. Some people from private properties are now moving out, some from heartlands are, very little, moving in, because the moving in is more difficult. But new families are being formed, so new families are being formed all in the heartland areas. Now, therefore, these new families tend to be of higher educational level, higher economic level, higher purchasing power. The non-heartland with falling birth rates, I think the proportion… And aging population. Yes, aging population, falling birth rate. I think the number of people staying in the nonheartland area will continue to decline. The houses, the units will be there because now you have smaller families, big houses but very few people. Like me, I’m only one person staying here.

Aaron Tan Age group: 21 to 35 Occupation: Student Lives in: Bukit Timah

So the first question is what does the word “heartland” mean to you?

“Heartland” doesn’t actually mean more than much to me because I’ve grown up with my condos and landed property but if I look at heartland, to me, it’s more of a political term. It’s what we define as where most of the people in this country live. You know, the HDB hubs around the country where the majority of people live their lives. “Heartland” was a term popularised by the then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1999 and it was supposed to characterise the majority of the Singapore population. These people were probably working class, they spoke Singlish, they are less educated, generally poorer and of course, they lived in HDB flats and tended to have a localised perspective on economical, cultural and political issues. So do you think that is still true today? That’s quite a mouthful! I think the majority of it can. Although I would say that given that Singapore society nowadays is a lot more fluid, thanks to the education system, so just because you stay in a heartland or you reside in one

or you have relatives who reside in one doesn’t mean that you are necessarily working class or less well informed or less well educated. Heartland is just a convenient word to use to describe, true, what seems to be the stereotype of people who stay in HDB estates but generally I would say that definition is, should be taken less literally now than it would have been maybe 20, 30 years ago. If you were to rewrite this definition for 2011 and beyond, what would that sound like? Well, you could say the heartlands are now, they are just generally where most of the workforce resides and therefore, it’s where most of the opportunities lie and it’s where most of the problems lie as well, to put it this way. So given that that is the case, they are essentially to me, the most important component of the electorate.

What do you mean by problems? In the sense that, the HDB estates with all their people and the majority of the populist provide the most opportunities in the sense that there’s the most room there for improvement, there’s the most room for development of the society there or of the individuals. But the most problems, in the sense that Singapore still has a lot of social issues that we need to deal with that are prevalent in HDB estates, especially the poorer ones. And so the term heartland also means that, it should also bring to mind the fact that there are a lot of underprivileged people in these areas whom the government especially, needs to look at and address their day-to-day living issues, especially. So the main social issue would be that they are underprivileged and poorer. Still going back to the original definition perhaps? The original definition sounds a bit too specific. I prefer using what I just said because it’s more general. It’s not, it shouldn’t be too narrowly defined, as you know, they are necessarily less educated or necessarily less well off or less informed about things.

It should also bring to mind the fact that there are a lot of underprivileged people in these areas.

The Way Ahead We were to speak, to chat. Involve our several minds on how To frame a City We were asked, judiciously, to talk of beauty In a town, how the town would change, Turn supply, rugged, yet acceptable. There were the four of us, A Professor, much travelled and artistic. A Senior Civil Servant, who knew the way ahead, The Town Planner and I; I? The average man, the man-in-the-street, Feeling nervous, struggling to free Practicalities from dreams, Leaving a small remainder hopefully sensible. The Professor favoured China-town, not surprisingly. His thinking was crowded, bred by city living. The teeming interchange of word and gesture, The odour of ordinary lives, Intimacies over or underdone, Privacy come to grief, private grief made public, Were seen as energies of a proper order, As breaking the loneliness of man. It had the right perspective, he said. In the middle of tourist -China-town. The flats were fine, but parcelled out too neatly.

The Town Planner took a different view. Intricacies of change were based on principles; A flat in the sun was to had by everyone. A spaciousness, part of the better deal, Politics, economics, the re-deployment of custom, Clan and tribe. Impulses of a national kind Gave common rights. There has been talk of heritage. There should be change, a reaching for the sky, Brightening the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye, clearing the patches From the shoulders of her hills, For regiments of flats. What could I say? Or think? A city is the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart, Beautiful, ugly, depending on the way it beats. A City smiles the way its people smile. When you spit, that is the city too. A City is for people, for living. For walking between the shadows of tall buildings That leave some room, for living. And though we rush to work, appointments, To many other ends, there must be time to pause, Loosen the grip of each working day, To make amends, to hear the inner self And keep our spirits solvent. A City should be the reception we give ourselves, What we prepare for our posterity. The City is what we make it. You and I. We are the City. For better or for worse.

Jethro Leong Age group: 13 to 20 Occupation: NS man Lives in: Chua Chu Kang

A Singaporean version of a heartland would mainly comprise of a housing estate that is built around crucial amenities such as a shopping centre as well as a Mass Rapid Transport station. Different Singaporean heartlands provide distinctive flavours which can be attributed to schools in the vicinity, as well as famous food vendors. As a result, no two heartlands can be said to be substitutes of each other, as they provide unique experiences which can be found nowhere else. My favourite Singaporean Heartland would be the housing area associated with Choa Chu Kang and Yew Tee MRT stations. A large part of this originates from the fact that I take residence within this heartland. Doing so has allowed me to gain a deep familiarity of this housing area and most of what it contains. Indeed there is comfort in the familiar and I am at ease knowing that I can easily find facilities and places of interest whenever I want to. Inasmuch as Singaporeans do not have much loyalty towards the local football teams representing their heartlands, there is a certain amount of inertia which is responsible for keeping us living in the same place for extended periods of time. This ties back to the unique experiences that each heartland provides, as well is the familiarity which provides the comfort we so crave. My treasured memories would be that of exploring the neighbourhood after I moved in when I was 9 years old. In the many years after I would spend various days cycling and jogging around, exploring the vast expanse that was to be my new neighbourhood. Whether I was doing so alone or with my neighbours, these adventures were always activities to look forward to, not only as for sessions to familiarize myself with my surroundings, but also as times were great friendships were forged. Needless to say, the heartlands we live in shape us in ways we never imagined they could.

My treasured memories would be that of exploring the neighbourhood after I moved in when I was 9 years old.

Irene Ho Age group: 36 to 60 Occupation: Housewife Lives in: Bukit Timah

They really had an experience there, what is it like to live in a housing estate where lots of things are shared.

The first question is what does the word “heartland” mean to you? The first thought that come to my mind heartland is all the HDB flats, where people gather together. Actually in 1999, the then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong popularised the term “heartland”, “heartlanders” to categorise the majority of Singaporeans. He was referring to people who generally lived in HDB housing estates. They were supposedly poorer, less educated, spoke Singlish. They were either working class or lowermiddle class and had a very localised perspective on economical, cultural and political issues as opposed to a more globalised perspective. Do you think that this is still true today? I think generally this is maybe, quite a big percentage is still true. May not be 100%, maybe it’s about 70% because now the HDB flats, there are bigger units, there are five room flats, there are executive units, so the bulk of those who actually live in a five room flat and the executive units, they are educated. They also travel a lot and they are not exactly poor, they could actually afford (more expensive housing). They belong more to the, maybe slightly above average heartlander. So in that way, that definition may not be as accurate as it is now. So how would you rewrite the definition of a heartlander today, like for 2011 and beyond? Heartlander is the people, actually it refers to the people living in a HDB estate where their lives revolve around them, the activities, their marketing, their shopping, their feasting or even their leisure activities. It all happens within the vicinity of where they live and it’s all nearby. So I would think that maybe that would be a good description.

So to you, a heartland sounds more like it’s about the people rather than the place. The place just happens to be there but if the place was anywhere else and it still had the same things, uh, it would. As in the varying factor is the people, the place doesn’t really matter. In a way, yes, because as you use the word “heartlander”. That means that is where their heart is. So where would your Singapore Heartland be? For me? I think my heartland would be where I grew up in Toa Payoh, because my relatives were all living nearby, we’re all just walking distance from each other. So we gather together there on various occasions, festivals. It was very regular that the children will play together, while the adults would all prepare, make preparations for New Year together, for example. So I have lots of fond memories of these growing up years, where it’s a big community. It’s not just a nuclear family, where you only have parents and siblings so that for me is a heartland, where I don’t just interact with my immediate family members, I actually do get to interact with the extended family. So what is your most fond memory about this place? A memory that you hold close to your heart. Hmm, it would probably be the time when we stayed in Potong Pasir because my children have never lived in a HDB flat, that was the only time, the first and the only time that we lived in a HDB flat. And they really had an experience there, what is it like to live in a housing estate where lots of things are shared. For example, walk ways. It’s a shared walk way, it’s not just yours alone. Market within walking distance. The MRT station is also within walking distance and you get noise from neighbours upstairs. Those things which they have never experienced before. So I would think that was the best time, I would say my kids and myself have. I don’t know whether if it was their best time but it was a good time for them to have experience what it is like to live in a HDB flat.

What they talk about in the bedroom when the children are fast asleep

A poem to be read in a whisper “I don’t think she fails on purpose.” “Nowadays my knees can tell me when it’s going to rain.” “Do you think they’re asleep yet? I can hear them giggling.” “You know our neighbours threw away their plants? Even that tall Japanese bamboo.” “What was that?” “Would you like to go to KL this December? We could buy you some scarves.” “Just now, your sister made comments about our kitchen.” “Why do you always wake up in the middle of the night to go the bathroom?” “Just now I forgot to bring in the slippers when they washed the corridor.” “It’s nothing. Someone threw a bottle down the rubbish chute.” “Did you have to beat him so hard?” “Do you think if we had a house like that we’d be happy?” “Ever since I married you there’s been nothing but money problems.” “Your aunt has lost so much weight. I wonder how she did it.” “I worked at the floors since this morning, can you smell the Dettol?” “Admit it, you love your son more than your daughter.” “Who were you talking to on the phone just now?” “Don’t talk facing that side, I can’t hear you.” “Don’t touch me like that.” “Can you hear me like this?” “I need sleep. I can’t sleep. I need sleep.” “Goodnight. Goodnight.” “Wake up, wake up. I think I hear something.” “That was me.” “That wasn’t you. What are you saying?” “No, that was me, yes.”

Kelly Yeo Age group: 13 to 20 Occupation: Aspiring graphic novelist Lives in: Orchard As a person born into a privileged family, I unfortunately am not as familiar with our own heartlands as I should be, having been born and raised here for the entirety of my short life. I would define it as the areas further away from the heart of the city – that is to say, the more residential and less commercial areas of Singapore. The area I’m most familiar with in the heartlands is probably the Thomson area. A former friend’s house is there, and I used to work there, so I have lingering feelings for the place. Unfortunately, like I mentioned earlier, there are no other places in the heartlands that I’m more familiar with – I usually frequent Orchard Road (since it’s very near my house) and also the Bugis area (my school is there). My favourite memories of working there involve mostly lunch and kitties (mutually exclusive, in case you were wondering) – there are nice places to eat in Thomson Plaza, and on the way there and back from the Land Transport Authority where I was working, there were also cats to play with. I am a big fan of cats, if you couldn’t already tell. My favourite memory with my friends is when we had a small party in celebration of our ‘O’ Levels finally being over, and as a farewell to the host who was going overseas to study. Her house was a very stylishly done-up HDB apartment, and the view at night, as the three of us stood on her balcony, was nothing short of spectacular. We looked down at the city lights and roads and passing cars, and talked of the future.

Issac Liang Age group: 13 to 20 Occupation: Student Lives in: Sembawang In my opinion, when I hear of the Singapore heartland, I always have thought of it as the shopping centres/ favourite haunts the people, especially teenagers, hang out with regularly. There is no right or wrong answer. Bugis used to be my favourite haunt when I was in my early teens, but now, I have no favourite places to go out. However, I always meet my friends in the central areas due to its convenience. Besides, there are a lot of exciting shopping centres in the central area. I remember watching fireworks with my friends in New Year Countdown 2008 in Marina Square. Then suddenly, all eyes were on a couple. I realised this guy proposed to her and she agreed. I shook hands with them and said congratulations.

Sarah Afiqa Age group: 13 to 20 Occupation: Student Lives in: Tampines I would define a Singapore heartland as a community that engages well in social events. It’s not only about knowing your neighbours but its about how well you bond with your neighbours. I grew up in Tampines. I knew all of my neighbours and my childhood memories are fond with memories of my neighbourhood. My favourite memories of the place are at the playground I always met my neighbours at. We played games like “Police and Thief” and “Ice and Water”.

Katrina Lam Age group: 13 to 20 Occupation: Student Lives in: Jurong West I would define a Singapore heartland as an area where there is a high density of people residing in inexpensive residences (e.g. HDB flats), and also a wide range of facilities available for these residents (e.g. shopping malls). My favourite Singapore heartland would be the Jurong West area as not only is it close to where I live and study, it also has various attractions available such as the shopping mall Jurong Point, and the country club SAFRA. My favourite memories of the area would be sending a drunk friend home there in the middle of the night (haha), and the numerous meals Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had at Jurong Point/ SAFRA with other friends.

Caroline Teng Age group: 13 to 20 Occupation: Student Lives in: Bukit Timah

My most favourite memory of Ghim Moh was, ironically so, not a pleasant experience.

I would say that a Singapore Heartland is a particular cluster of Housing Development Board (HDB) flats that is often complete with a heartland mall and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station which is recognised by and familiar to most, if not all, Singaporeans. It is a district/ area that is identifiable and correlated with the mall and MRT station. For example, Serangoon with Nex, Choa Chu Kang with Lot 1 and Bukit Batok with West Mall. My favourite heartland would be Ghim Moh because I spent much of my time there studying over the past two years. It is a mere fifteen minutes walk and bus ride from both my home and school respectively, which makes it extremely convenient. Also, the tuition centre I attend is located at Ghim Moh. I enjoy the often quiet walks I have before I study; the silence allows for my thoughts to flow without any interruptions. Though the stone tables there are rarely completely clean, I still open my books and spread my notes and study until the sun sets. I enjoy the breeze that is always mysteriously ever-present no matter how warm the weather is and the company of the feline â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who are very friendly.

I would safely say that my most favourite memory of Ghim Moh was, ironically so, not a pleasant experience. I was on my way from school to tuition with a friend and we were talking about everyday things when I noticed a cockroach wriggling on the floor in front of me. Within minutes, it was apparent to me and my screaming friend, that the entire corridor that leads to my tuition centre was scattered with cockroaches of varying sizes and in various stages toward death. Clutching one another, my friend and I took a good twenty minutes walking that hundred metres, tiptoeing, screaming and getting stared and even laughed at by the residents and construction workers. No doubt, they were used to this weekly fumigation of the sewers. For my friend and I, it was probably just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Chloe Seet Age group: 13 to 20 Occupation: Student Lives in: Tampines

So what does the word heartland mean to you? A heartland is a community. It’s not so much just the location, but the people because I mean, you live not by yourself, no man is an island, right? So it essentially is about communicating with other people, but we commonly see it as a community of people, right? But it isn’t so much the case because we don’t interact with our neighbours very often. I just recently moved into Tampines about a year ago, and the only time I’ve spoken to the next-door neighbour that’s directly next to me is when he comes to my house and he goes “小妹, 你可以帮我吗?”(Little girl, can you help me?) And he comes with a needle and a thread because he cannot see so he asks me to thread all the needles for him and he’s perpetually sewing, I have no idea why. He’s always sitting outside his house and sewing his pants.

Okay, so when we talk about a Singapore heartland, it was popularised by Goh Chok Tong and he came up with it in 1999 when he was Prime Minister and that was used to characterise the majority of the Singapore population and generally, the Singapore population then, lived in HDB housing estates, they were poorer, they were less educated, spoke Singlish… They still do, what are you talking about? (Laughs) They were either working class or lower middle class and had a localised perspective on economical, cultural and political issues. So do you think that is still true today?

I think the generation that existed in that period of time, of course, still has the same mannerisms behaviours and perspectives and in certain areas, these characteristics are more inherent in the people but you have new estates in new areas like Punggol. So not so much those people who will be living in those areas because those people come from maybe the 80s or the 90s so they grew up in a generation where the world was changing, especially Singapore so it is true and it is not dependent on the area that you stay in because, like I said, the people who live in new areas, are more educated and even those who come from the 80s can still live in Toa Payoh and things like that and have to same perspective so I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s based on how educated the people are.

So how would you redefine a heartland in this case, taking into consideration your definition and the definition I just gave you? I think a heartlander is somebody who is uniquely Singaporean, because I mean our local culture is very distinct. We have rude people who you know, spit on the bus and things like that and even with the more educated generation, you still get this kind of people who are loud and inconsiderate. You know, they may be educated and can speak better than the generation before them but they still have no courtesy on the bus. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give up seats for people so in that way, no matter what kind of land you live on, you are still Singaporean, so I think a heartlander is somebody who is distinctively Singaporean.

That’s interesting. So where would your Singapore Heartland be then? (Laughs) Here comes all the stories. I would say my heartland is in Bishan because I grew up there. As a kid, I moved around a lot. First I stayed in private condominium, when my parents first got married, so that was their first home. Then my parents split up and I moved to a terrace house. That was a nice place to stay in but it used to flood because the property was lower than the land. So we used to get floods in the house, which wasn’t so good. Then after that, we moved to Bishan. I spent a lot of my growing up years there. I lived there from Primary 2 to Secondary 2 so that’s a long time. It’s the longest I’ve ever stayed in one place and after that we moved to my grandparents’ house in upper Thomson, which was a difficult move because I was used to the place already. It is my heartland because I spent that much time there and all my childhood memories come from there. So do you have a favourite memory from your stay in Bishan? (Laughs) Uhm, I was not very sociable as a kid. Most of us go out and meet the other kids in the playground but I was not so close to them. So initially when I just moved in, it was nice to have somebody introducing me and this girl’s name was Wei Ting. And we used to go (roller) blading around the area and at that time my mum was with this guy, because my parents are divorced, right? So he was a really funny guy and when I came back and I told my mum “Oh, Mummy, I made a new friend and her name’s Wei Ting and I met her brothers and all the other group of boys who played soccer in the area.” And then my mum’s boyfriend asked me what their names were. Sitting and Standing? (Laughs) So it was a funny moment. Till this day, I still don’t remember the names of those two boys but I remember them as Sitting and Standing with their sister Wei Ting (waiting). So ya, it’s funny moments like that that I remember. I still remember the mama shop owned by this fat Indian couple. Their mama shop is like any other mama shop. It’s dirty, it’s small, it’s cluttered and everything. They had this small Indian son, his name was Gopi and he was bald. I think he had a crush on me and my mum used to disturb me about it. “Eh, your boyfriend’s here. You go la. Now we can get free things from the mama shop.” (Laughs) And I absolutely hated it. It was so annoying. He used to come to my house and call me. “Chloe, Chloe, come out and play!” And I was like “No, no I’m not at home.” (Laughs) Ya, it’s that kind of things that are very memorable as a child.

It is my heartland because I spent that much time there and all my childhood memories come from there.

Block 39 Strange how memories cling fast to a number. The years spent trekking from one neighbourhood of the old housing estate to another, never examining the route until the road is not travelled any more. Brief Significance inheres in loss still; All else is commotion in Singapore. I am astonished by the human power to carve a home out of concrete block, to decorate a space, to grow a flower in corridor gardens, to boldly dry underclothes on public poles in heat waves. But equally I am astonished by how we leave our homes like so many caves.

Is this the basketball court I grew up in? Jumping zero-point, playing tua-bei-long, one day the police, the next the thief, catching? Watching subtly quiet girls watching me, looking up to that big boy, delirious with living, admiring his healthy brown body, to the whistle oblivious? Was it from this room I left the City of Destruction, carried my own burden and struggled with myself, proud and guilty? Was it from this woman I learned the art of living; how to handle fork and knife at a buffet, how to trust, how to start a chit-chat, how to assemble a life? Everything in me wants to say yes, settling the claims of the past decisively, and borrowing fresh loans to see me through, crossing the straits on rope-bridges spun from before.

Jacob Ng Age group: 21 to 35 Occupation: Lecturer Lives in: Jurong How would you define a Singapore Heartland? A Singapore heartland is a nonaircon kopitiam selling traditional coffee less than a dollar, and with people eating bak kut teh in the morning. Where is your favourite Singapore Heartland? Please tell me why. Jalan Bukit Ho Swee. Because I grew up there and spent much time with my deceased granny who used to take me there. What is/ are your favourite memory/ memories of the place? The slow simplicity of life, and scenes of people communicating in different dialects in the market place.

Ong Kim Fong Age group: 21 to 35 Occupation: Teacher Lives in: Boon Keng I googled for the definition of a heartland. Heartland noun (plural heartlands) The centre, or most populous part of a region defined by geographical or non-geographical criteria. It was in the heartland of the French wine growing areas. The home counties are the Conservative heartland.  Therefore I think the heartlands in Singapore are distributed into a few areas — Ang Mo Kio, Seng Kang, Jurong, etc. I don’t have a favourite estate as most of them have no special character of their own (those living in the estate will probably differ). I see many of the estates were developed using a cookie cutter approach anyway. So unless you live in those estates yourself, I think it is hard for outsiders to relate to them in any special way.

Tang Wey Lin Age group: 21 to 35 Occupation: Administration Officer Lives in: Serangoon Gardens

So what does the word heartland mean to you? Common man. Community based society. That’s about it. So in 1999, our then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong popularised the term “heartlanders” to characterise the majority of Singapore’s population. Those staying in HDBs la. And generally they lived in HDBs. They were poorer, less educated, they spoke Singlish, they were working class and had… They still do. A localised perspective on economical, cultural and political issues. And do you think that is still true today? A large part of it, yes. Because of the difference in terms of environment. You have one-room rental flats, two room rental flats, three-room flats, four-room flat, five-room flat, executive condos (ECs), maisonettes, so there is a different price structure for all this. And the people who stay in it, should more or less be within their various income brackets so I think there’s a certain limitation to what they can do and a certain limitation in terms of what they can provide to their kids.

And also it’s very different. I mean for us, when we do our community work with the people around Serangoon North, which you can consider more “heartlander” versus what Serangoon Gardens people do, or want to do is very different. They don’t mind splashing out a bit more, Serangoon Gardens people. They don’t mind splashing out a bit more if they think it’s worth it but it must be very worth it, something that they cannot do on their own, which is very hard to come by because it would mean that the community centre (CC) would have to bear a very high subsidy for them as well. Whereas the heartlanders are more like free food, Edusave bursaries... I mean they do well in their studies and get busaries, which is good but I’m not sure whether the overall environment provided for them is really that good. Because some of the youth who are helping out are Sec 5 and one of them recently got 29 points for his ‘O’ Levels. So they have the heart to serve, and very community-centric type of person but somehow their family background is a bit, poorer, in that sense. And the nurturing environment is missing and so ultimately, they don’t seem to do that well, but doing CC stuff actually gives them a sense of responsibility and cultivates a different characteristic. I think that’s what we hope to do la.

It makes the most sense, because you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to travel very far to do something that you enjoy.

So there is a difference between heartland people, there’s still a big difference but I think for like, if you consider the five-room flats, ECs, maisonettes, there may be less of that between the private estates, maybe just less. But we don’t have that many here so hard to say. So do you think that the original definition that Goh Chok Tong gave us in 1999, can still be used today? Yeah, of course, of course, of course. I mean ya, why not? I mean unless someone can come up with something more interesting. But I mean heartlander also describes, like your heart is within this area and really that’s what they try to do because you’re staying in a flat, which is pigeon holes, stacks upon stacks of people so if your heart is not within your block, then you won’t necessarily go out and know your neighbours, right? So that would make your own living environment a little bit unsustainable. People would also want to have a stake in where they stay. That’s why hopefully, they put their heart into knowing their neighbours. To follow some of the block events or whatever, to take the opportunity to go down, know more people. It can be a simple thing but at least you know your neighbour and have informal chats, rather than feel obilged during important events. Oh, it’s Chinese New Year, I have to go and knock on his door, wish him and whatever. I think it still applies.

So would you say Serangoon is your heartland? Ya, otherwise I wouldn’t be serving (in Serangoon North CC), right? I mean even now when I look for a place of my own, I hope to find one where I’m most comfortable with, which is here but unfortunately, Serangoon is probably considered a mature estate so there not many new blocks of flat coming up so it’s a bit tedious, in that sense. Why is Serangoon your heartland? Grew up here and you know the people here and well, you just feel a small, however small, attachment to this area so that’s why I also came here to help out in the CC so through that, you know all these other people. Actually all of them, most of them, stay within Serangoon area. It makes the most sense, because you don’t have to travel very far to do something that you enjoy. Most of them give at least half their day or something to help out at, you know? Sometimes, it’s a sacrifice because all of them they have their own families, their own stuff to do, so then over time you build up the understanding with them. It’s more of looking at the event and saying okay, let’s go to the event and just renew ties, because sometimes they come, sometimes they don’t come but it’s nice to once in a while to talk to them. And indirectly, it also helps you because like your project also has different age sectors, right? Here also has different age sectors and how do you deal with their expectations from a retiree to a semi-retired to a working-up-the-corporateladder type, and then to your youths and even younger than that. So straddle across the whole spectrum, it adds that little extra to your own character development. That’s what I think.

katong

beyond tanjong rhu where private residences extend eastward park-like toward the cape where turtles used to roam and hence its name no longer is existence wrung out of water and of sand here where the fecundity of life still flows parallel or perpendicular to the sea no turtle advances up a beach on calm nights laying eggs burying them flippers ritualistically scattering sand in all directions around them beneath steep palmes and tall windbreaking casuarinas here where a sustainable future no longer clings tenaciously to bare earth elements – air fire water wood no thatch ever falls off roofs nor houses come complete without doors no lallang field is ever set ablaze nor cocks crow – resonating dawn today where amber gardens/ amber road swerves in heavier traffic toward tonjong katong south an explosive display of concrete structures – rigorously erect – girdled by well-manicured lawns shrubbery and a selection of the tropic’s most widely-acclaimed trees – ornamented by planters bearing the nation’s most assiduously cultivated blooms

today where marine parade lies land-locked and a major highway rolls languorously across where the sea used to be new rhythms of life pervading a community centre – a cinema – a multi-storey carpark – a poly-clinic – a children’s playground – a supermarket – food centres – bin centres – a shopping complex equipped with fast-food restaurants – banks – departmental stores and innumerable retail outlets… how the past seems forever sealed in the stillness! in a land least inhospitable to change where lives have been shaped and re-styled at the convenience of geographic economics and societal politics where designs for living have come to mean meeting the rising sophistication of the citizenry in a society turning increasingly global amazing how the present has the past so neatly encapsulated in silence! but always in the mind though buried beneath turf and gravel trampled on by feet rolled over by tyres the past is a chrysalis from which we have emerged now held in memory in life’s best-loved pictures – the beach – now marine parade road – where adults come beachcombing scraping the surfaces of rocks for trapped oysters the sea – across which the east coast parkway now runs – where women bathe in sarongs with infants in tow and slender-limbed children riding the waves in chortles.

Poon Mun Wai Age group: 21 to 35 Occupation: Airline Executive Lives in: Serangoon North

So the first question is what does the word heartland mean to you? That’s where people live, their families are here. Not only their family but the community at large, and they see them from time to time. They may not know their names but they have seen their faces around. Many of them look very familiar but they may not know their names. So I went to do some research and I found out that in 1999, the then-Prime Minister actually popularised the term Heartlanders to characterise the majority of Singapore’s population. Generally they lived in HDB housing estates, they were poorer, not as well educated, spoke Singlish, were in the working class and had a very localised perspective on important issues such as like cultural issues and economical issues and political issues. So do you think that that’s still true today? Can we say that about heartlanders? I would say that, in general, “heartlanders” is a term used frequently and as you know that 80% of Singaporeans stay in HDB flats. And it’s one of this kind in the world. You can’t find another country that have this so called public housing and 80% of them stay in it. Ya, it’s different in Singapore, that 80% of population. Of course, they have their localised issues. What I mean localised, is Singapore is actually not very big. It’s actually very small, from one end to the other end, probably covered between about 45 minutes, you know? But they do have their localised issues that they are familiar with. Right, for example the problems in Jurong are probably quite different from the problems in let’s say, in Pasir Ris. First of all, I think the population of the estates, the age

of estates are different. And the population mix is also different. The Jurong population will probably have Singaporeans as well as the permanent residents or foreigners that are working in Singapore or in the industry estates. Whereas in Pasir Ris, because it’s a newer estate, a younger estate, you’ll find that the residents relatively are younger, you know? So their problems are quite different from the mature estates like Jurong to the flats, like even in Toa Payoh. So do you think that this definition being generally poorer, less educated and everything that I mentioned before, can we still use this definition in 2011? Not necessarily poorer, not necessarily poorer. I will say that if I want to be poor, I better poor in Singapore, (laughs) than in else where in the world. What do you mean by that? Because even in the States, you have people who die on the street. They die on the street. You mean the country, is it poor? U.S.? I don’t think that people think that U.S. is poor, right? But people die on the street. Have you seen Singaporeans die on the street? Ya, so there are countries with four seasons and people die on the streets during the winter, just because they do not have a home. And in Singapore, I think the majority of the Singaporeans have a roof over their head and when you say whether it’s poorer or not, I think in any housing estate, we do not have the slum area in Singapore. The mix of the estates would be from three rooms all the way to five room executive flats, even the private housing

estates and people are living together. And of course, as a national level, we will say that some living three room and below, are considered the lower income group in general, you know? Some housing estates don’t even have that. You have very few three rooms but majority four rooms and five rooms so that group of people I don’t think are considered poor. So, the word heartlander, can we still use this definition, like in 2011 and beyond? Or should we rewrite it to make it more appropriate to us? We can. I would say that we are shifting towards more like, Singaporean identity, you know? As the country develops, I think we have to continue to build on that identity because we have to let everybody know that this is our home. This is not the place that we do our business and move on. This is our home and in future, I would say that more and more Singaporeans have to work else where, even out of Singapore. The world is a playground to them, rather than compared to before. As the world develops, the boundaries become not very visible, right? Our students today, you may say that after you graduate, you’ll work in Singapore. But I think more and more percent of graduates will be, one of their options is in Singapore but not the only option. Ya, I know what you mean, I’m a student too. That will be the trend. And so if that is the trend, then you will find that our younger population may work outside Singapore and they leave their own roots and parents or grandparents back in Singapore. So the trend will be in future, you may find that some of the people who are living here are not so much as a family but some of them could be living alone, where their kids are overseas and the parents are actually in Singapore, as the population gets older. That particular trend, we need to find a solution to tackle that. So would you say that Serangoon is your heartland? Did you grow up here? Or why do you have such attachment to Serangoon? Yes, Serangoon is our kampong. (Laughs) Okay, I think people by and large, do not like to move around. Let’s say Serangoon Gardens people. They may have grown up in Serangoon Gardens. As they get married or when they are ready to get married, they may move out of Serangoon Gardens, but at some point in time, they will try to find their way back, you know? And I find that that is the trend with most people. When they live in that particular estate, they tend to move within the estate or around the estate, rather than totally move away from the estate, unless they’ve some purpose. If there is no other purpose, I think they would like to be on familiar ground so that is I think, that is not a problem. Most people have this tendency.

As the country develops, I think we have to continue to build on that identity because we have to let everybody know that this is our home.

Yogeswary Thiayagarajah Age group: 60 to 70 Occupation: Retired nurse Lives in: Serangoon North So the first question is what does the word heartland mean to you? To me, when they say I’m from the heartland, you know, like staying in the HDB flat. That’s what, to me, that’s the meaning. In 1999 when Goh Chok Tong was Prime Minister, he popularised the term “heartland” and that characterised the majority of the Singapore population then. Generally, they lived in HDB housing estates, they were less educated, poorer, working class and had a very localised perspective on political, cultural and economical issues. So do you think that is still true today about a heartlander? For me, heartlanders, I won’t say all staying in heartland, they are poor. I have stayed there for about 33 years and I don’t want to shift out anywhere, even if I had money to buy a landed property, I don’t want; because I find the convenience there and we’ve got a lot of support from the government, I will say. Our environment outside is clean, nice. Transport system is very good and even our marketing, shopping complex, are nearby. To me, I feel that we are very comfortable. You know when people say, you don’t want to shift out? No.

Also I feel I’ve stayed there for so many years, my neighbours are very important for me, very very important. You know, when you’re sick, they are the first to come, not your relatives, not anybody else, your neighbours. So the longer you know them and the better you know them, that’s very important. They help us and we help. My bunch of house key is with them and theirs is with me. We trust each other, that’s very important. And I think by staying in heartland, we have more friends. We take the lift and we come down or go up. We meet a lot of people and if you are the friendly type, you’ll make a lot of friends. And if you don’t see them for a few days or weeks, then you’ll go and find out what happened to them. So long didn’t come, shifted out ah? What happened? Things like that. So I find I’m very very happy. So that’s why when people ask are you happy with the government. I say yes, got food to eat, got a roof over my head. If you’re not choosy, there’s a job for you. Environment is there, clean, good. Everything is accessible to you. So what else? Don’t be too greedy. Be satisfied with what you have. And if you’re willing to do any job, anything, you should, must be happy in life with what you have. Don’t be greedy. So do you think that the word heartlanders, we can still use this definition? Ya, ya definitely. What’s wrong? I don’t see anything wrong. I don’t feel bad about using, but some people, I think they think ‘Oh, staying in HDB, heartlanders.’ Maybe they think a bit low, like that. For me, no. I’m very very happy with it.

Having staffs or even the members who care for you, it motivates you to do more voluntary jobs.

Of course then, Serangoon is definitely your heartland. And why would that be for you? Have you grown up here? Or just your friends? My friends. Okay, I walk into the CC, say Serangoon CC, everybody greets you, everybody smiles with you. And even when you have some problems, anything, you call them up. They are very supportive. That’s what you need, a smile. It’s a lot to you, it means a lot to you, right? So that’s why I’m very very happy with this area. So do you like, have any favourite memories or happy times that you can recall that you would like to share with me? Hmm, happy times is like, one day when I took a bus and I was coming to the CC. It’s not this CC, the old CC. In the bus, there was somebody chasing after me and asking money. So I took the bus, came here and got down. I ran from the bus stop to the CC. And I ran there, I was breathless. Then the staff saw me and asked, ‘What happened, Mrs. Thiayaga?’ Then I said, ‘Oh, there’s a lady chasing after me and wanted money.’ So he said, ‘Okay, cool down. Where is she?’ I said, ‘she turned and went off.’ He asked me to sit down. I came for a meeting actually and he rushed and bought an Ovaltine to give me. (Laughs) Ovaltine or Milo, I’m not very sure. He quickly called my husband and then told me to relax. That touched me a lot. So every time, whenever I see them, I say, ‘Whoa, I hope somebody chase me and come, I’ll get a free Milo.” (Laughs) You know, it’s the thought. It’s the caring. He never just say, ‘Okay, sit down. Oh, okay nobody. Okay.’ No, never did that. He made me sit down, relax and got a drink for me, called my husband and told him, “Okay, this happened, never mind, she’s in safe hands. Come and pick her later.” You know, that sort of thing. It’s very touching. It’s very very touching. Having like, staffs or even the members who care for you, it motivates you to do more voluntary jobs. You gain a lot, you make a lot of friends, you gain a lot of friends. Money is nothing, right? To me also, I feel, the youngsters also. You know, you should give examples to the youngsters, share your experience and tell them. They will be a great leader one day.

Credits In order of appearance. Copyrights are held by the respective owners unless otherwise stated. Page 8 Image by People’s Action Party, 2007. Page 22 The Way Ahead by Edwin Thumboo. First published in Gods Can Die, 1977. Taken from No Other City, The Ethos Anthology of Urban Poetry, 2000. Page 30 What They Talk About in the Bedroom by Alfian Sa’at. Taken from No Other City, The Ethos Anthology of Urban Poetry, 2000. Page 40 Image by Crystal Hong, 2011. Page 42 Block 39 by Koh Jee Leong. Taken from No Other City, The Ethos Anthology of Urban Poetry, 2000. Page 52 katong by Ho Poh Fun. First published in Katong and other poems, 1994. UniPress, Singapore. Taken from No Other City, The Ethos Anthology of Urban Poetry, 2000.

Acknowledgements All glory goes to God! This is the 3rd reprint and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m still alive. Aaron-James Teo, Annalisa Yeo, Alex Lam, Charis Fan, Chloe Seet, and Shannon Ang because without you, this book wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be possible. Thank you for believing in this project, the encouragement to persevere and the advice for improvement. All the interviewees featured in this book, for your time and honest answers. You have broadened my mind with your refreshing insights. All the interviewees not featured in this book, for the time you took to entertain my request. I really appreciate it. Your overwhelming response helped me to believe in this project. Alvin Pang and Aaron Lee for No Other City, which opened my eyes not just to local literature but Singapore as well. It is a great book. Of course, David Lee for always requiring excellence in all tasks, forcing me to not just be a better designer but person as well. Your passion is inspiring and infectious. Last but not least, Soh Yong Hern. Your brutual honesty is oddly motivational. Thanks for giving me a kick when I needed it.