Visitors to the revamped World War II gallery space in the Former Ford Factory will see its signage changed in a month or so, said the National Library Board (NLB) yesterday.

Initially called Syonan Gallery: War and its Legacies, the space was renamed Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacies last Friday, following a public outcry.

Signs bearing the original name at the gallery’s entrance were covered or removed by yesterday morning.

NLB, which picked the name Syonan Gallery for the revamped National Archives of Singapore museum, said there are a total of nine signboards which will be replaced.

Design and production of the new signs may take some time but visitors can look out for the sign, Former Ford Factory, on the front gate, said a spokesman.

The gallery opened last Wednesday, but its initial name upset some people, who said it seemed to honour the Japanese Occupation.

In 1942, after the British surrender, Singapore was renamed Syonan-to, which means “Light of the South”.

Announcing the name change last Friday, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim apologised for the pain caused.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in Facebook posts in Chinese and English, that he and his colleagues “honour and respect” the deep feelings of Singaporeans who went through the Occupation, and renamed the exhibition “to bear witness to these painful memories”.

Read also: ‘Syonan Gallery’ renamed; Minister Yaacob Ibrahim apologises for pain that name caused

He also thanked people who gave their feedback on the matter and said “such conversations bring us closer together”.

Visitors to the gallery called the name change an appropriate move.

Researcher James Low, 47, who was there with his family, said: “I’m actually quite impressed that there’s a readiness to listen to how some people feel very strongly about this.

“When the (original) name was chosen, it reflected a factual consideration of that period of time. But deeper thought may only have been possible when people who lived through that time spoke up to share their thoughts and feelings.”

Some, like retiree Tan Fong See, 79, cannot bring themselves to step into the exhibition, but he was happy to hear of the new name. “Many people did not like the Syonan name,” he said.

World War II History Research Association chairman Kek Boon Leong likened the strong reaction now to Singaporeans’ feelings when an Indonesian warship was named after two marines who bombed the MacDonald House in 1965. The move was called insensitive and unfriendly by some in 2014.

Others, like Ms Belinda Mock, 56, a manager in the IT industry, is supportive of the change but added that people should eventually look beyond what a place is called.

Mr Lam Phin Chong, secretary-general of a Chinese clan association, said that while he was disappointed at first with the authorities’ reaction to opposing views from the public, he is glad they came round. “We should, and we can forgive (the Japanese). But we cannot forget that period of history. It hurt us and harmed us,” said Mr Lam of the Char Yong (Dabu) Association.

Read also: NLB explains rationale behind naming new museum Syonan Gallery; name had sparked debate

Name of revamped museum stirs debate

byseow@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Feb 19, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

In 2012, residents in areas such as Bishan, Woodlands and Jalan Batu expressed resistance to the news that eldercare facilities would be built in their neighbourhoods.

But despite earlier petitions – which some called the “Nimby” or “not in my backyard” syndrome – many have accepted – and, in some cases, grown to embrace – the facilities that they once opposed.

In turn, service providers are making an effort to be considerate to their neighbours.

Five years ago, about 40 residents signed a petition against a nursing home that was set to be built on an empty plot of land facing blocks of flats in Bishan Street 13.

One man said at a dialogue session that “the old folk will be groaning right into my home”.

Such sentiment has dissipated. Residents encourage tolerance over minor issues. Some now even volunteer at the home.

The Lions Home for the Elders is set to mark its official opening next month, having been operating for more than a year, and has become “accepted as an integral part of the town”, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Chong Kee Hiong told The Sunday Times.

“Some residents have family members who are residing in the home and find the proximity a welcome convenience. There are also residents who have taken to volunteering at the home.”

This was despite teething issues, such as the complaint that the home’s public announcement system was loud, he said.

It has since adjusted the system’s placement and volume, and informs residents ahead of special events.

When contacted, the home declined to comment.

NEED FOR TOLERANCE

Pre-school teacher Koh Hui Wah, 58, whose flat is one of a few facing the home, often hears cutlery and dishes being washed, as well as elderly residents’ voices.

But she is unfazed. “There is a need to be accommodating. We’re all going to grow old some day.”

Similarly, in 2012, a group of Jalan Batu residents signed a petition opposing plans for rehabilitation centres for seniors to be built in the void decks of Blocks 10 and 11.

But feedback has been positive since the centres opened in 2013, according to Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan.

“We had an open house, inviting residents from Block 11 to come down,” he said. “A number of those who signed the petition, who were concerned, seemed relieved that it was not as bad as they thought, and they recognised that it would be a useful facility for them.”

He said that the centre is helpful as there is a large proportion of elderly Housing Board residents in the area – up to two-fifths of the population – with many using wheelchairs because of strokes or amputations.

Crane operator and Jalan Batu resident Raymond Tay, 62, said: “People tend to be resistant when changes are announced, but when they reap the benefits, they change their minds.”

SOME STILL HAVE DOUBTS

In Woodlands Street 83, the mood is more sombre, although the Sree Narayana Mission, which runs the eldercare centre at the void deck of two HDB blocks, is making efforts to bond with residents.

When the Health Ministry announced plans for the centre in 2012, about nine-tenths of Block 861 residents signed a petition against it.

Ms Ellen Lee, then the MP, struck a compromise in which residents would also get several new features in the block, such as a sheltered walkway to the carpark and a study corner.

Current MP Amrin Amin said: “Since then, the town council has not received any more complaints or feedback about the centre from residents.”

While the study corner is seldom used, the facility’s senior administrative executive Annie Leong said residents’ complaints over issues like ambulance sirens died down about two years ago, after the centre asked the vehicles to switch off their sirens when in the estate.

She added that the HDB residents may not often attend the centre’s events, but they have become more friendly over the years.

“We hope to try our best and have more community activities involving both residents of the HDB blocks and the users of our centre.”

But for some residents, the loss of void deck space remains a bitter pill to swallow. A 60-year-old unemployed man, who wanted to be known only as Mr Ang, said: “If the authorities want to build such a centre, we have no choice either.”

A self-employed man, who gave his name only as Mr Goh, 51, added: “Sometimes, when I come home, I see the old folk around and it feels like I’m living in a nursing home – just upstairs from them.”

THE WAY FORWARD

The MPs emphasised that with an ageing population, the need for eldercare facilities will only become more acute.

“The availability of such facilities within residential estates would enhance the quality of care that family members can access… with much greater convenience,” said Mr Chong, adding that it is reasonable for people to be concerned about what happens around their estate.

Mr Amrin said residents should be engaged early to prevent misconceptions. To address concerns, “we should also keep our lines of communication open throughout the implementation process”.

This article was first published on Feb 19, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

After three years in the banking industry, Ms Kelly Wong decided to start learning how to make wonton noodles from her father around 2013, despite “knowing nuts” about the trade when she first started.

“I’ve been eating these noodles since I was young. We’ve got a very good product and it will be a waste if I don’t learn, and take over from him,” said the 27-year-old.

Her father, now 65, specialises in Cantonese dishes and has worked in the food and beverage industry since he was eight, cooking for canteen stalls and fine-dining restaurants.

He also runs a small business that manufactures and supplies noodles, including spinach and tomato noodles that she also uses in her dishes.

She did not just want to supply noodles, but wanted to also be able to cook them herself.

Read also: Braised duck stall owner retiring with no successor in sight

“I wanted to understand my product, so that I would know how to deal with problems that my customers may face,” said Ms Wong, who does not mind her long 13-hour work days.

For about four years from 2013, she ran a stall at Maxwell Food Centre, but moved to a stall at hip hawker centre Timbre+ when it opened last April, pulling in an average of about 200 customers every day.

Business at the Maxwell stall had been partially affected by ongoing construction work for the Thomson-East Coast MRT Line, and Timbre+ in Ayer Rajah Crescent offered a fresh concept that was more appealing to young patrons.

At Timbre+, stallholders meet regularly with management about once a month to go through suggestions or air concerns that they have about the operations.

Ms Wong also appreciates the automated tray return system and help with cleaning the dishes at the hawker centre.

A challenge young hawkers like her face are tight profit margins, and the need to establish themselves against bigger brands.

She relies on social media for marketing, which Timbre+ also helps with by posting information on its website and social media channels.

“People will always think that older hawkers cook better than the young, because they have years and years of experience. But if you don’t give us a chance, you will never be able to taste some dishes again. Such skills are built on experience, and we have to build it up slowly.”

Read also: Hard slog must be worth it, say young hawkers

yuensin@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Feb 19, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

About a week after a 40m tembusu heritage tree killed a woman and injured four other people, the site of the incident in the Singapore Botanic Gardens remains cordoned off to the public.

The crash took place at least 50m away from the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, but the surrounding area remained popular with visitors when The Sunday Times visited yesterday.

Said a 40-year-old mother of two, who wanted to be known only as Abby: “The incident came as a surprise to us, but we still visit – it’s a good place for the children to play.”

But the consulting firm director, who visits the gardens weekly, added: “We try to stay away from big trees now.”

Tattoo artist Michael Vestil, 38, said that such accidents are beyond human control and do not deter him from visiting the gardens to relax with his family.

Read also: 1 killed, 4 injured after huge Tembusu tree falls at Botanic Gardens

– See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/1-killed-4-injured-after-huge-tembusu-tree-falls-botanic-gardens#sthash.ulWmvMSf.dpuf

Indian national Radhika Angara, 38, who was pinned under the tree, died in the incident.

Her husband, Mr Jerome Rouch- Sirech, 39, and their one-year-old twin children were also injured.

They were having a picnic just 5m away from Singaporean Tay Pei Lei, 26, who dislocated her shoulder.

Ms Tay was treated at the National University Hospital after the crash and discharged later in the day.

However, she has to go for physiotherapy and magnetic resonance imaging soon.

While she is considering submitting her medical bills to the National Parks Board (NParks) for reimbursement, she worries that the claim might not be successful.

Mr Patrick Yeo, a partner at Withers KhattarWong law firm, said that past cases suggest it may be difficult to make a successful claim for damage caused by a fallen tree.

Usually, NParks will investigate to find out if there were any problems with the tree and who should be held responsible for the incident, he added.

But one argument which may be raised is that it was an “act of God” and there was no negligence involved.

“But that doesn’t stop NParks from offering some form of compensation to the family, out of goodwill,” Mr Yeo said.

Read also: Botanic Gardens tragedy: ‘Not likely’ tree fell owing to lack of space

Botanic Gardens safe to visit: NParks​

byseow@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Feb 19, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.