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An article on William Pickering and secret societies

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Chinese secret societies revisited | New Straits Times

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A visit to the National Museum of Singapore shines a light on Malaya's Chinese secret society past and its impact on Malayan society over the past two centuries, ALAN TEH LEAM SENG writes

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Look at title of the chart, table or graph

Examine the legend (chart/graph) to know what the date represents

Study the dates/time interval

Look for trends or patterns of change

Scan the data to find out whether the numbers are moving upwards or downwards

Note the level of the increase or decrease

Use your historical knowledge to explain the changes

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Using the graph/table shown; respond to these questions:

1. What trends do you observe in the total trade of Singapore from 1824 to 1938?

2. Explain the trends in Singapore's imports and exports from 1824 to 1938.

3. Is the table or graph a better way to represent the data on Singapore's trade? Why do you think so?

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1. According to Source 1, how did Singapore benefit from being under the control of the EIC and the British India Government?

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Let our Curators tell you more Ep 2: 36 oaths of the Secret Society

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Singapore's First Secret Society: The Ghee Hin Kongsi

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SINGAPORE - An average of 112 rioting and serious hurt cases have been linked to secret societies in Singapore each year for the past five years and cases involving the use of weapons such as parangs and knuckle dusters have declined over the same period.

There was one case involving weapons last year, down from 12 in 2016, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday (Feb 2).

Providing these figures, Mr Shanmugam said that the secret society situation in Singapore is under control.

He was responding to Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok) and Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas), who asked about recent trends in gang-related activities following the arrests of 151 people allegedly linked to unlawful societies.

The operation that swept up the 151 alleged gang members between Dec 21 and Jan 3 was part of continuous anti-gang suppression and deterrence efforts by the police, said Mr Shanmugam.

The arrests followed a number of rioting cases in December last year, some of which occurred near entertainment outlets in the city and led to serious injuries.

Mr Shanmugam said secret societies now are largely made up of loosely-organised street gangs and mainly comprise younger members who flit between different groups.

While the number of youths dealt with by the police for secret society-related offences has remained stable in the last five years - with an average of 153 per year - youth gangs remain a serious concern.

The police invest significant resources to educate and engage youths to deter them from joining secret societies, Mr Shanmugam said, citing regular anti-gang talks held in secondary schools. The police also work with the Ministry of Social and Family Development, the Ministry of Education and volunteer welfare organisations to rehabilitate at-risk youths before they become entrenched in the gang mindset.

Against the backdrop of Covid-19 restrictions, which has limited such activities, the police are now looking to enhance their anti-gang outreach efforts online, Mr Shanmugam added.

For example, the police and National Crime Prevention Council organised an online football video game tournament last year for more than 100 youths, who also received anti-gang talks and crime prevention advice as part of the competition.

The police had previously said that the number of arrests for gang-related activities has generally declined over the last decade, from about 1,000 per year in 2012 and 2013 to about 700 per year in 2018 and 2019.

Last year's figure was significantly lower due to Covid-19 movement restrictions.

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Secret society situation in Singapore under control: Shanmugam

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SINGAPORE - An average of 112 rioting and serious hurt cases have been linked to secret societies in Singapore each year for the past five years and cases involving the use of weapons such as parangs and knuckle dusters have declined over the same period.

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On Duty: Secret Societies Branch Officer (SPF)

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1877 - Establishment of the Chinese Protectorate

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Smith Street, Temple Street, Japanese Street and Banda Street; all adjoining streets in today's Chinatown had one thing in common during the colonial times. Three and four-storey brothels which along with prostitution, also promoted opium smoking, drinking and gambling

When Raffles founded modern Singapore as a British trading settlement in 1819, migrants poured in the island from China, India and Malaya. As the number of migrants increased, which were overwhelming males settling in the areas around Chinatown, brothels became an important outlet for their sexual needs. These migrants or sinkhehs came to Si Lat Po(Singapore's old Chinese name) without their wives and found solace in the arms of Ah Ku or prostitutes.

Slowly, Chinatown was flooded with tea-houses, theatres and opium dens tended by young singsong girls locally known as Pei Pa Chai or Pipa girls. These girls were paid by the hour by rich clients to play mahjong or prepare opium. Many, in due course, were lured into prostitution.

These prostitutes mainly came from China, Japan and Europe. Though, there were no British prostitutes due to a ban imposed by the then British administration of Singapore.

The National Heritage Board (NHB) describes the life of a prostitute in colonial Singapore as "horrendous". "Once in a brothel, the girls were often subjected to beatings, and received little or no medical attention. Riddled with diseases, these pitiful women were often also murder victims. Seeing no other escape from their living hell, a number of these prostitutes took their own lives. While some threw themselves off buildings, others preferred a more subtle method - an opium overdose," informs the NHB in one of the placards placed in Chinatown.

Interestingly, by 1923, there were 423 government-run shops selling opium over-the-counter between 6am to 10pm. But in brothels, opium would be available till 2am.
Chinese brothels

The most infamous street at the turn of the 20thcentury was the Smith Street, which was lined with 25 three and four-storey shop-houses packed with prostitutes. While two were Japanese, most of the other brothels were Chinese, with the most notorious being the no. 65. It's owner, Loh Sai Soh, was stabbed when she attempted to stop a customer from leaving without paying. This street served as a red-light area between 1901 and 1930. Adjoining Smith Street was the Temple Street, which got its name after the Sri Mariamman Temple located at one end of the street, and was also famous for its Chinese brothels.

Japanese brothels
Also known as Yap Pun Kai (or the lane of foreign prostitutes) or Japanese Street, this street hosted the few Japanese brothels in colonial Singapore. Notably, "until the pre-war years, Japanese prostitutes plied their trade along this street in an oddly noble effort to help finance their country's military campaigns," says NHB. Another street notorious for Japanese brothels till 1930 was the Banda Street located at the junction of Sago Street, Sago Lane and Spring Street.

"Sexually transmitted disease became rampant and epidemics swept through Chinatown, leading to the passing of the Contagious Disease Ordinance in 1870, requiring brothels to be registered and prostitutes to be examined medically for disease. In 1887, the Ordinance was repealed, and the registration of brothels was stopped in 1894. Without these controls in place, the number of brothels increased further. This was fuelled by the record increase in the migrant labour at the end of the century. It was also at this time, that the full effects of the repeal came into effect; the pandemic spread of gonorrhea and syphilis in the Chinese community. The importing of prostitutes to Singapore was finally banned in 1927 and brothels made illegal in 1930," informs the Chinese Heritage Centre situated in Chinatown, Singapore.

All information in this story is courtesy National Heritage Board and Chinese Heritage Centre, Chinatown, Singapore.
Credit: Newzzit

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History: The brothels of colonial Singapore - Singapore News

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Smith Street, Temple Street, Japanese Street and Banda Street; all adjoining streets in today's Chinatown had one thing in common during the colonial times. Three and four-storey brothels which along with prostitution, also promoted opium smoking, drinking and gambling When Raffles founded modern Singapore as a British trading settlement in 1819, migrants poured in the ...

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1. After reading the article, do you think the British authorities should suppress prostitution in Singapore? Explain your stand.

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Brothels in colonial Singapore, with its large male migrant population, did a roaring trade. Adeline Foo examines the lives of the unfortunate girls and women who were sold into prostitution.

A late-19th century portrait of a pipa tsai (Cantonese for "little pipa player"). The pipa, or Chinese lute, is a pear-shaped four-stringed musical instrument made of wood. These girls were trained to play the instrument and sing to entertain men in clubs and brothels in Singapore. In some cases, the pipa tsai were forced into prostitution. Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board.

"I went a few times because of my youthful follies, to see those girls being sold to the brothels. The auction took place in front of the go-downs at the port. The zegen [pimp] took the girls out of the hold, ordered them to change their clothes and lined them up in front of a warehouse. The brothel-owners bought them on the spot in [the] auction. Good looking girls were priced between one and two thousand yen, and ordinary girls from four to five hundred yen."

This account by Tomijiro Onda, a Japanese barber in Singapore, describes how the trade in young girls operated here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ships carrying girls from Japan and China reached Singapore after three weeks to a month, while junks from Hong Kong took slightly more than a week. Once these girls landed, they were sold "as if they were cattle". Between 1900 and 1910, the average price for a Japanese woman was 500 to 600 yen, while a Chinese girl shipped in from South China cost between $150 and $500. This was a large sum considering that the average worker earned a monthly wage of about $10 to $15 in those days.

While much has been said about Singapore's early economic history with its focus on canny entrepreneurs and hardworking coolies, much less has been written about the seedier side of a colonial port city where men vastly outnumbered women. In 1884, there were 60,000 Chinese men but only 6,600 Chinese women, of whom an estimated 2,000 - mainly Cantonese and Teochew - worked as prostitutes. It is believed that as much as 80 percent of the young Chinese girls who came to Singapore in the late 1870s were sold to brothels.

Prostitution at the turn of 20th-century Singapore, as with most other things, was the result of supply rising to meet demand. Most of the prostitutes came from patriarchal societies like China and Japan. There, sexual licence and the purchase of women was a male prerogative. Abject poverty in some regions in turn pushed these women out to find work in places like Southeast Asia.

In addition to girls who were "imported" into Singapore from elsewhere, there were others on the island who were tricked into entering the profession. In 1940, the Nanyang Siang Pau described how one hapless victim was misled:

"'A''s mother met a woman whom she regarded as Second Aunt, who was sympathetic towards her daughter. Second Aunt recommended 'A' to get a job and offered to bring her to Kuala Lumpur. She agreed and left Singapore without telling her mother. Later, they returned to Singapore and 'A' became a prostitute. 'A' chose not to find her mother because she did not wish for her to know that she was a prostitute, it was an ugly thing. She only wished to save up enough money, look for her mother and return to China with her. She thought that once she had become a prostitute, it was not possible... to turn back..."

In some instances, prostitutes raised abandoned or orphaned girls as their own, and some of these girls followed in their adopted mothers' footsteps. Once a girl reached puberty, she would have been taught the necessary skills by an "older sister". During a more explicit period of training, the teenager would receive detailed instructions in the arts of lovemaking and massage. She would also learn how to use aphrodisiacs and other sexual devices, and how to entertain and pleasure men from sex manuals, erotic paintings and pamphlets.

Once the girl, usually between the ages of 13 and 15, completed her apprenticeship, her virginity would be sold to the highest bidder: men would pay several hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars for the experience of deflowering her.

Chinese coolies unloading goods in a godown, 1900s. Chinese male migrants to Singapore in the 19th century, who worked mainly as coolies, were a lonely lot and sought solace in the arms of prostitutes. Boden-Kloss Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

The Brothels

The men who frequented brothels in Singapore were a mixed bag that included "sons of towkay, bank clerks, street hawkers, rickshaw pullers, high-ranking officials, restaurant proprietors, colonial soldiers, and denizens of the underworld". These men could have their pick from any of the many brothels that lined certain streets cheek by jowl.

"Each of the districts... had their local clients... Europeans - diplomats, officials and planters - favoured the discreet Japanese women of Malay and Malabar Streets. Foreign tourists, soldiers, and, especially Japanese sailors also sought their sexual favours by visiting the unregistered haunts of Malay and Eurasian women scattered in the side lanes and alleys of the city. Rickshawmen made regular journeys to the brothels in Chin Hin Street, Fraser Street, Sago Street, Smith Street, Tan Quee Lan Street and Upper Hokien Street."

A photo of karayuki-san by G.R. Lambert & Co., 1890s. Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board.

Japanese prostitutes, known as karayuki-san, operated within the Japanese enclave along Hylam, Malabar, Malay and Bugis streets where Japanese merchants, shopkeepers, doctors and bankers had set up shop. By 1920, the Japanese community in Singapore was large and thriving enough to host its own newspaper, the Nanyo Shimpo, a Japanese cemetery and a Japanese school.

In the Kreta Ayer/Chinatown area, Chinese brothels catered to a largely different clientele. In addition to brothels that served the average worker, there were high-class ones that were visited by rich patrons who had their favourite prostitutes.

A portrait of a karayuki-san with her hair let down, 1890s. Gretchen Liu Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Historian James Warren's in-depth study of life in Singapore brothels pieced together the practices of women in the profession by, among other things, examining information from coroner's records and inquests as well as interviewing people who lived close to where the brothels were. His research unveiled intimate details such as how older women in the brothel prepared virgins for their first sexual experience. Warren also learned of their beauty secrets that included washing one's face with powder ground from raw rice instead of cheap scented soap.

Some of these sex workers managed to escape the trade: a few were able to save enough money to pay their way out of brothels while others were bought by wealthy businessmen and ended up as their mistresses or concubines. The latter were a minority though; for most, prostitution was a lifetime prison sentence until they met with illness or death.

Warren's research uncovered shocking accounts of sex workers dying because of venereal disease, fatal fights resulting from social rivalry, alcoholism and drug abuse. Many prostitutes committed suicide - by overdosing on opium or ingesting poison, or by hanging or slitting their throats and, in one gory account, being burnt alive - because they had no chance of ever leaving the brothel. Death provided release from poverty, debt and ill health.

One account by Chu Ah Tan, a brothel owner, recounted the desperation experienced by a prostitute struggling with pulmonary tuberculosis and venereal disease. For eight years she smoked opium and injected herself with increasing dosages of morphine. She finally died after an overdose of opium.

"Wong Mau Tan was one of the prostitutes in my brothel... she was coughing a lot and said that she had a cough and headache for two months. Yesterday evening, her maidservant found her in bed, spit was coming from her mouth. I removed her to the hospital, she was conscious up to the last."

A G.R. Lambert & Co. photo of coolies on China Street, 1890s. The street was infamous for its numerous gambling houses. Courtesy of Editions Didier Millet.

An Evening's Entertainment

Why did men in Singapore visit prostitutes? For some, it was all part of business entertainment. Influential Chinese and European elites would arrange to meet in brothels to discuss business first before progressing to the evening's entertainment. And it was not just the rich who thought a visit to a prostitute was normal.

Entreprenuer Choong Keow Chye recalled in his oral history account:

"I was a sinkeh earning about $10 a month. These people who won some money, $80 to $100, in gambling invited me to the brothel... Three to five dollars, or eight to ten dollars would pay for a night's stay with a prostitute."

The women could not keep all this money either: they were expected to pay the brothel owner between 40 and 50 percent of their earnings for rent, secret society protection, food, tailored dresses, loan of jewellery and medical fees.

Beyond the immediate satiation of their sexual urges, many of the thousands of men who sought comfort in the arms of prostitutes did not see marriage in their future. They were too poor and earned too little to even entertain the thought of finding a wife, either in Singapore or back in their hometowns. These men toiled as manual labourers, working as rickshaw pullers, coal shovellers, construction workers and coolies, and led a tough life with little or no means of leisure. Apart from work, these men were lonely and many led a meaningless existence without companionship.

The now demolished Chinese Protectorate building on Havelock Road, c. 1910. The office was first set up in 1877 at a shophouse on North Canal Road under William Pickering, the first Protector of Chinese, to look after the affairs of Singapore's migrant Chinese community. In 1888, the Protectorate established the Po Leung Kuk in another location to help women who had been sold or tricked into prostitution. Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board.

Prostitution naturally brought with it a host of social ills. The demand for paid sex was a lucrative source of revenue for brothel owners and especially for the secret societies that controlled the brothels, and hence any threat to this business would have serious consequences. Secret societies frequently fought one another over control of the brothels and the women.

Sex workers were also a conduit for sexually transmitted diseases. This was a problem that pervaded all classes of society. Even the wealthy who patronised the more expensive brothels on Smith Street under the misconception that the women there were more discriminating, and thus safer, were not exempt. These men then - either knowingly or unknowingly - passed on sexually transmitted diseases to their wives and concubines.

Despite the many social problems associated with prostitution, the colonial authorities tolerated and legalised the trade in the early years, partly due to the low female-to-male population ratio in Singapore.

Protecting Girls and Women

The government, however, did help young girls and women who were trafficked into prostitution. This task was initially handled by the Chinese Protectorate, which was set up in 1877 under colonial administrator William Pickering. The Protectorate managed the affairs of the migrant Chinese community.

In 1888, the Protectorate set up a separate body, the Po Leung Kuk, or the Office to Protect Virtue, to help women who had been sold or tricked into prostitution. The Po Leung Kuk also functioned as a halfway house for young girls such as the mui tsai that it helped rescue from abuse.

The mui tsai (literally "little sister" in Cantonese) were girls as young as eight years old who came to Singapore, accompanying a relative or a fellow villager. The girls came to seek a better future through marriage or employment as domestic workers. However, many of these girls ended up being tricked into prostitution, or sold to rich families who might abuse them.

As the mui tsai grew into her teens, her situation could worsen: if she was pretty, she would find herself servicing the sexual needs of the male members in the household; if she were to bear children, she would not be allowed to claim or acknowledge them until her mistress passed away. The Po Leung Kuk rescued these girls, gave them a safe place to live and trained them in useful skills that could help them find decent men to marry or a useful job when they left the Po Leung Kuk.

Another group of young girls who were rescued by the Po Leung Kuk was the pipa tsai. These were girls who were trained to play and sing to the accompaniment of the pipa, a short-necked wooden lute. In brothels and clubs where men gathered, these girls entertained their clients by reciting Chinese poetry and bantering with them. The older among the pipa tsai would be made to sit at tables to accompany men. These girls were paid by the hour and sometimes also provided sexual services.

How did these pipa tsai enter such employment? Like the mui tsai, they had been entrusted by their parents in China to the care of distant relatives in Singapore, the so-called "third or sixth paternal aunt" - sum gu or luk gu - some of whom worked in or even owned entertainment establishments themselves. The pipa tsai could also have been picked out when these "aunts" visited destitute women and their young daughters living in shelters such as temples.

Girls who had been forcibly controlled and detained by these aunts could escape their bondage only after they had outlived their popularity or if they were able to find married men who were willing to buy them out of their pipa-playing employment. The more fortunate girls were rescued by the authorities and taken in by the Po Leung Kuk. But this was a temporary arrangement: the future of these girls depended on whether they could learn new skills and find suitable jobs after leaving the Po Leung Kuk.

The Cabaret Scene

When the glitz and glamour of the 1920s Shanghai nightclub scene spilled over to Singapore, it brought with it the promise of a different life, at least for some of the women who struggled to make a new life for themselves after they had left or broken free from sexual slavery and bondage.

The women who chose to step into Singapore's budding cabaret scene could now take control over their lives. Dancing in a cabaret paid relatively well, and was filled with music, alcohol and laughter. They could doll up and use their feminine wiles to manipulate men, unlike the subservient mui tsai, pipa tsai or brothel worker who had to endure servitude, slavery and indignity.

Five dance hostesses at a cabaret in the 1930s. The women are dressed in figure-hugging cheongsams with daring slide slits that showed off their legs. They were an obvious attraction for men with their artfully applied makeup and coiffured hair-dos. Courtesy of Mr and Mrs Lee Kip Lee.

As cabarets and nightclubs burgeoned in Singapore, women who lacked education or skills were able to seek out more enticing employment opportunities, beyond just prostitution. This is not to say that prostitution disappeared; not everyone had the attributes of a cabaret girl. For those who did not, the flesh trade continued to be an option.

Because of the lowly status of women and the stigma around sex work, the lives of prostitutes in late 19th- and early 20th-century Singapore are typically given scant attention. However, they are an important part of Singapore's social history, as historian James Warren has noted: "Much of the history of Singapore between 1870 and 1940 was in part shaped, and in large measure endured, by prostitutes and coolies."

THE OFFICE TO PROTECT VIRTUE

The Po Leung Kuk was set up in Singapore in 1888, about 10 years after it was first established in Hong Kong. The Po Leung Kuk, or the Office to Protect Virtue, was created to offer protection to girls who had been sold or lured into prostitution.

In Singapore, the Po Leung Kuk also provided protection and assistance for the repatriation of women and girls to China. Its other role was to supply marriage partners to a predominantly male population who did not have the means to find a bride from their village.

In addition to housing girls rescued from prostitution, the Po Leung Kuk took in young female servants known as mui tsai if they had been abused. The Po Leung Kuk also functioned as a "halfway house", offering shelter, food and training to rehabilitate girls. Once the residents turned 18, they were eligible for marriage. All applications made to the Po Leung Kuk by men to select brides were carefully screened and approved by the management committee.

The Po Leung Kuk had its beginnings in Lock Hospital in the Kandang Kerbau area, moving subsequently to larger premises on York Hill in Chinatown which could accommodate as many as 300 residents.

Women who were rescued and rehabilitated by the Po Leung Kuk were sought after as wives as they were trained in domestic service, and acquired skills such as dressmaking and hairdressing that could help supplement their husband's income.

Life for the residents of Po Leung Kuk seemed to be a pleasant one, if a visitor's impression in 1936 is any guide:

"The walls of the main schoolroom which is a large cheerful apartment are gaily decorated with pictures drawn and painted by the pupils themselves. The children are educated in accordance with Chinese custom, and the bigger girls are taught the arts of fine sewing and embroidery. With few exceptions, the girls are all under eighteen, and they appeared so happily carefree that I found it difficult to believe they had ever suffered unkind treatment or neglect."

In Singapore, the Po Leung Kuk's management committee was chaired by the Protector of Chinese and a body of 13 influential Chinese businessmen. The activities of the Po Leung Kuk were supported by government funds and private donations.

Mrs Mabel Winter, the first Lady Assistant Protector of Chinese, passed away on 25 January 1934. Image reproduced from The Straits Times, 26 January 1934, p. 13.

On 1 March 1929, Mrs Mabel Winter was appointed the first Lady Assistant Protector of Chinese. She took over the management of Po Leung Kuk's day-to-day operations and was assisted in her duties by a committee of ladies.

Winter's appointment as Lady Assistant Protector of Chinese was significant as it was the first time a woman had been given such an important post, signifying the serious intent of the British, or at least the Chinese Protectorate, to rescue and rehabilitate women and girls from prostitution and slavery.

Mabel Winter was the wife of Mr H.B. Winter, the proprietor of a well-known tailoring establishment on Battery Road. She had been born in Hong Kong where "she learned to speak Chinese so fluently that the Chinese expressed astonishment at her complete mastery of the language".

She married in Colombo in 1915, where her husband had served in the Fifth Gurkhas regiment.Unfortunately, Winter's time at the Po Leung Kuk was cut short when she died from pneumonia on 25 January 1934 and was buried in Bidadari Cemetery. She was only 42.

To remember her contributions, the Mabel Winter Memorial Shield was set up and given out annually to an outstanding candidate in the Po Leung Kuk who excelled in needlework and cooking and displayed exemplary conduct.

From the 1930s, the number of women and girls admitted to the Po Leung Kuk in Singapore fell. One researcher suggests that this was due to the implementation of the 1930 Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance that outlawed brothels and vice activities. Unfortunately, the legislation sent brothels underground and made it harder to track and rescue women who needed help. In 1932, the Mui Tsai Ordinance was introduced to prohibit the acquisition of mui tsai; this would, in time, also reduce the number of girls that needed to be rescued.

During the Japanese Occupation, the Po Leung Kuk's premises were abandoned and its residents dispersed to several welfare centres. When the British Military Administration took over after the war, the new Department of Social Welfare was set up, and the Po Leung Kuk was closed.

Adeline Foo is a scriptwriter and an adjunct lecturer. Her research interests include women, and societal prejudice and discrimination. She is the researcher and creator of Last Madame, a drama series about the 1930s brothel scene in Singapore. The show debuted in September 2019 on MediaCorp Toggle.

Notes

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Brothels in colonial Singapore, with its large male migrant population, did a roaring trade. Adeline Foo examines the lives of the unfortunate girls and women who were sold into prostitution. A late-19th century portrait of a pipa tsai (Cantonese for "little pipa player"). The pipa, or Chinese lute, is a pear-shaped four-stringed musical instrument made of wood.

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1. What is 'brotherhood' in secret societies? Why is brotherhood important?

2. What strengths or traits did William Pickering, the British protector of the Chinese possess?

3. What is/are the difference(s) between the secret societies in the past and present?

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Origins of the police force in Singapore

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Origins of the police force in Singapore

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Formed in May 1820, the SPF is one of the oldest government organisations in Singapore. From humble beginnings of a 12-man team, led by Francis James Bernard, the SPF has grown from strength to strength, in tandem with the nation.

1. Why did crime rates increase in early Singapore?

2. Identify THREE common crimes in early Singapore.

3. Why was it difficult to recruit men to the police force in the past?

4. Describe THREE measures Thomas Dunman carried out to improve the police force.

5. Which other organisation did the police force work

closely with in the 19th century?

6. Identify THREE common crimes in current Singapore.

7. Is the current police force better than the past? Why or why not?

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The official Singapore Police Force website. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is a uniformed organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The mission of the SPF is to prevent, deter and detect crime to ensure the safety and security of Singapore.

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The Plight of the Coolies

Coolies were male labourer immigrants who were forced to leave China due to famine and unrest in order to seek a better life in foreign lands. This sojourn was usually temporary as many harboured the intention of returning to China with money in their pockets.

Coolies could be distinguished by two types – “free coolies” and “credit coolies”. The former paid for their passage and decided where they went or what they would do upon reaching their destination. Credit coolies, on the other hand, were practically penniless. On arrival at their destination, credit coolies were required to sign binding contracts with their employers.

Coolies had been flooding Singapore’s shores since the arrival of the British. In 1830, Singapore received nearly 7,000 Chinese labourers during the junk season, which was almost the size of the entire Chinese population of the island at the time.

As the coolies were usually unskilled, they were employed as manual labour in almost every sector from construction to plantation work. They were also hired to take on back-breaking jobs such as rickshaw pullers and stevedores. During periods when labour supply was tight, coolies were highly sought after by plantation owners, merchants and port operators. However, during lull times, coolies were summarily regarded as “destitute and worthless”.

The condescending attitude towards the coolies would persist until Singapore’s entrepot economy took off from the 1870s onwards when plantations and mining industries in Malaya began to flourish. With the tap of Indian convict labour turned off in 1873, Chinese coolies provided a source of cheap labour for these British-run enterprises in the Straits Settlements and Malaya. This led to a surge in demand and resulted in a huge inflow of coolies into Singapore from the southern provinces of Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan in China, reaching around 50,000 annually in the 1870s before hitting 200,000 by the turn of the 19th century.

The rising demand, however, did not improve the plight of the coolies. Whether they were travelling as free coolies or under the credit ticket system, the coolies had to endure a harrowing voyage by sea to Singapore. They were piled into small vessels and herded like cattle across the often stormy South China Sea in cramped and unsanitary conditions.

Their suffering continued upon arrival in Singapore. Some credit coolies were held in the hull of the ships until a contractor or broker for the mines or plantations agreed to take on their debt. Others were confined in dark and stuffy coolie-holding stations.

Free coolies fared better than credit coolies, provided they were not duped by secret societies and ended up in their debt. Regardless, both free and credit coolies led a difficult life of hard labour and grinding poverty. The average salary of a coolie was so meagre it was hardly enough to cover his basic expenses. For example, in 1924, a rickshaw puller made about 20 to 24 Straits dollars a month. As the monthly cost of living at the time was roughly 12 to 14 Straits dollars, this meant the coolie only had eight to 10 Straits dollars each month to remit back to China, leaving him with almost nothing.

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The photo shows a living quarter of Chinese immigrants in Chinatown.

1. Do you think this space was occupied by one person or a family? Use details from the photo to support your answer.

2. What does Source 2 tell you about the living conditions of the Chinese immigrants?

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Each day tourists ride cable cars over Singapore's Keppel Harbour to a luxurious holiday isle haunted by death. In the world's third most densely populated country, Sentosa Island is a popular getaway, thanks to its sandy beaches, majestic rainforest, lavish resorts, and theme parks. (And it was a setting in author Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians.) But lurking behind that idyllic veneer are startling tales of torture, plunder, and deadly epidemics.

Sentosa was known for savage pirates and a brutal prisoner of war camp before the Singapore government converted it into an upmarket vacation destination in the 1970s. Now 10 million people a year visit this island, which is less than a mile from the mainland and connected by rail and cable car.

Singapore could have buried Sentosa's disturbing past beneath its cheerful present. Instead its government recently declared the 19th-century Fort Siloso a national monument and is creating fresh tourism programs that embrace its bleak history.

Pirate haven

Prior to being renamed Sentosa 50 years ago, this 1,200-acre island had an eerie moniker. It was called Pulau Blakang Mati, which means "the island behind which lies death." That name could be linked to sea nomads who once lived on Singapore's Brani Island and may have buried their dead on adjacent Sentosa, explains Kwa Chong Guan, adjunct associate professor of history at the National University of Singapore.

Sentosa's lethal reputation was burnished by pirates and an invisible enemy. In the first half of the 1800s, a mysterious epidemic killed a large percentage of the island's population, which then included bands of buccaneers. Singapore's waters brimmed with seafaring criminals long before it was settled by the British in 1819, says Stefan Eklöf Amirell, author of Pirates of Empire.

He says the Singapore Strait, which runs parallel to the nation's south coast, had always been "excellent for piracy."This was due to its heavy ship traffic and abundant ambush locations on small, forested islands like Sentosa. Even after the Brits arrived, pirate plunder persisted. "Singapore being a hub of free trade, arms trade, and easy recruitment of crews inadvertently encouraged piracy," Amirell says of this early colonial period.

(These pirates stole the biggest booty ever.)

Tourists now walk in the footsteps of buccaneers at Fort Siloso. Before it was erected on the northern headland of Sentosa in 1878, this site was popular with pirates, says Goh Geok Yian, associate professor of history at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

To reach the British port at Keppel Harbour, merchant ships had to navigate the narrow strait between that headland and the mainland. "This [location] provided the perfect combination for mounting ambushes against ships," Goh says.

From fort to POW camp to resort

Siloso was among a cluster of British coastal forts built in the late 1800s to defend Singapore from threats such as the Russian navy, Goh explains. Siloso, the only one intact, now enjoys Singapore's highest level of heritage protection as a new national monument.

To access this hilltop fort, visitors follow an elevated walkway through a forest canopy. The jungle rustles with macaques; brahminy kites soar above; and Singapore's skyline unfurls to the east, with serene Siloso Beach to the south.

This natural splendor soon gives way to hulking artillery and grim history. Visitors can inspect the fort's anti-aircraft structures, command towers, machine gun posts, and sprawling network of bunkers, tunnels, and barracks. A small museum uses videos, photos, and maps to tell Siloso's story.

(Once a state secret, these Albanian bunkers are now museums.)

The fort was designed to counter seaborne attacks from the south. But it was from the north that Siloso received its fiercest foe. In 1941, the Japanese invaded Singapore overland from Malaysia, and Siloso's weaponry was shifted accordingly. That had little impact. Singapore fell in 1942 and the Japanese turned this fort into a prisoner of war camp for British and Australian troops.

These dark tales haunt the lantern-lit night tours of Siloso, launched in December. They are also woven into the new Sentosa Heritage Trail, a signposted route past 30 historic sites, including former army offices and hospitals, most of which are explained by interpretive signs. Amid the island's golf courses and thrill rides, the trail charts Sentosa's unlikely evolution from pirate port to combat complex to, finally, holiday haven.

Ronan O'Connell is an Australian journalist and photographer who shuttles between Ireland, Thailand, and Western Australia.

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Singapore's Sentosa Island is a paradise with a brutal past

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Each day tourists ride cable cars over Singapore's Keppel Harbour to a luxurious holiday isle haunted by death. In the world's third most densely populated country, Sentosa Island is a popular getaway, thanks to its sandy beaches, majestic rainforest, lavish resorts, and theme parks. (And it was a setting in author Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians.

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The Malacca Strait, between Malaysia, Singapore and Sumatra, has been a favourite haunt of pirates for over a thousand years.

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DRIVEN BY SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES

The centre's executive director Krishnaswamy Natarajan said the increase in such incidents was driven by a socio-economic situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, lower fish catch due to climate change and the prevailing Southwest monsoon.

He added that this has forced some locals living along the strait to turn to sea robbery and petty crimes to make ends meet.

"The Singapore Strait is one of the major international shipping routes which sees almost 1,000 ships a day ... with an increasing volume of maritime trade as pandemic (restrictions) ease," he told CNA's Singapore Tonight on Friday (Jul 21).

"There are far too many opportunities available for the people in the region who are not economically sound, and who are looking to make a livelihood."

While the incidents were "not alarming" as most fell under petty theft, the continued boarding of ships by perpetrators could lead to more serious situations, he said.

"In a threat situation, there can be a collision of ships in the area because they are manoeuvring so close to each other," said Mr Natarajan. "It could be a dangerous situation which could lead to environmental disaster. (In such circumstances,) there could even be a closure of the strait temporarily until the situation improves."

He said countries around the hotspots are making an effort to ensure the safe navigation of ships and put in place environmental protection measures.

However, he also urged governments to do more and step up law enforcement, enhance surveillance, increase patrols and respond promptly to incidents.

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Rise in sea robbery cases around Singapore Strait driven by socio-economic issues, says piracy report

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Perpetrators usually target ships that are ill-prepared, manoeuvre at slow speed and have low freeboard.

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1. Why did piracy increase around the Straits of Melaka?

2. Why was it challenging for the British authorities to suppress piracy?

3. What are the impacts of piracy on early Singapore?

4. Is piracy a concern for Singapore today? Why or why not?

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1. The total amount of money earned increase (yes, but specifically TRADE, imports & exports)

2. The amount of import increases, the total earning also increases. (But why? what caused the trend to go up? also in certain years, the trend was down- do you know why?)

3. Table. It is easier to read, and more data can be recorded if placed in a table (OK)

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According to Source 1, Singapore benefitted from being under control of the EIC and the British India Government by one, being able to build up its trade freely as they had ‘established an able and just administration’. And two, that it was quite a feat for 34 years from 1833 to 1867 for the British Indian Government to support ‘a constant drain on its finances to maintain a colony from which it gained no profit, and which hardly paid a cent in taxes’. (in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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EIC built up an able and just administration, which allowed Singapore to build up its trade freely, showing that Singapore benefited from being under EIC. The British India government supported a constant drain on its finances to maintain a colony which gained no profit😱, and which hardly paid a cent in taxes👍(in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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1)from 1824 to 1923, the trade between countries increased. The trade decreased significantly from 1923 to 1933. The trade then increased again in the later years. (Good observation of 1923-1933)

2) when the amount of imported good increases, the amount of money earned also increases. (there are other underlying reasons behind the trends. some are external events or reasons that caused the uptrend and downtrend)

3) table. We can compare the difference more clearly in a table than a graph. We find t easier to read a graph than a table. (that's true. a graph gives you a quick view of the situation. for details, we can look at the table)

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1. For imports, the amt of money that is earned by importing goods increases from year 1824 to 1923. From 1923 to 1933, the trend decreases. From 1933 to 1938, the trend increases.

for exports, the amt of money also increases from year 1824 to 1923. From 1923 to 1933, the trend decreases. From 1933 to 1938, the trend increases. Therefore, the total amt of money earned from both increases and decreases overtime. (good, detailed observations. Good that you saw the decline between 1923-1933)

2. The total amt of money increased in year 1824 to 1923 due to the amt of traders entering Singapore and the amt of buying we did to make our port. The amt of money decreases in 1923 to 1933 due to the Great Depression. After that, the amt of money increased yet again due to the amt of traders entering after the crisis. (explanation and reasons are correct. also, 1824- SG was a new port, so there was free port status and free trade to attract many traders. hence, the value of trade went up)

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1. The total trade in SG was mostly increasing (study graph carefully. not all the time that trade was increasing though)

2. SG was a free port and was located near the route most traders took to reach their destinations, thus a lot of trade was going on in SG. (good you pointed out the FREE PORT status of SG in your explanation. definitely attracted a lot of traders. what about other decades? 1920s to 1930s?)

3. Graph. It is easier to read the trend and view the difference of the total trade in SG in different years (OK)

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Singapore's trade data (table)

Using the table, we observed that the total trade of Singapore from 1824 to 1938 increased until 1923, where it decreased until 1933. From 1933 to 1938 total trade increased again. (good observation about the decline in trade between 1923-1933)

Singapores imports from 1824 to 1938 increased until 1923 and then decreased till 1933. From 1933 to 1938 imports increased again. (But why? Question asked for an explanation of the trend. like did anything happen? was there some event or development?)

Singapores exports from 1824 to 1938 increased until 1923 and then decreased till 1933. From 1933 to 1938 exports increased again.

We think that a table is a better way to represent data as we find it more clear and easier to read the data. (OK)

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1. Trade increased in 1824 to 1923

Trade decreased in 1923 to 1932

Trade increased in 1932 to 1938 (observations are valid)

2. Import and earnings increased (But why? Question asked for an explanation of the trend. like did anything happen? was there some event or development?)

3. I personally prefer the graph as you can get the rough trends of the data at one glance (this is true. a graph can help you learn about something at a glance, albeit mayn't be specific or accurate)

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Q1. We observe that the trade in sg increased from 1824 to 1938. Our cost of exports, imports increased, signaling the increasing prosperity of sgs early trading port. (would you say it was an increase throughout the years 1824 to 1938? No change(s) in the trend?)

Q2. As sg grew as a port, more traders came to trade and therefore, more imports of goods in and out of the country was observed. (yes, this is true, more traders came to SG to trade, but why? question requires an explanation or reason for the uptrend)

Q3. In our opinion, the table is an easier option. The table is able to store more details and information, and gives us a clearer view of the information displayed. (OK)

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1. melaka straits was a good hiding place, had things worth stealing, and had weak governance or political unrest. (OK!)

2. the straits government lacked the legal means to punish pirates and even had to send them to india for trial. (this was when SG was not a full British colony. no legal system in place yet)

3. early singapores trade suffered greatly and the traders lost huge sums of money. (plus the risk the traders had to bear)

4. no, since the singapore governement managed to regain control of the situation. (SG police coast guard. penalty, piracy not as lucrative or easy like in the past. ships are larger, more well-equipped. pirates are also not a violent or as many)

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1.What trends do you observe in the total trade of Singapore from 1824 to 1938?

The amount of money used in trade of Singapore increases from 1824 to 1938. (yes, also the amount of money earned from trade. I think the amount refers to the value of goods traded also. also would you say it was an increase in $ throughout the years; from 1824-1938?)

﻿﻿﻿2.Explain the trends in Singapore's imports and exports from 1824 to 1938.

As Singapore becomes a more well-known and established trading port, more people will come to Singapore to do trading. This caused a rise in the amount of money used in trading. (is there a reason why SG became more well-known and established? what did the British do to attract people to SG to trade?)

﻿﻿﻿3.Is the table or graph a better way to represent the data on Singapore's trade?

I think a table is better to represent the data on Singapore’s trade. It is clearer and easier to see the numbers and calculations are already done. Using a graph, we will be able to see the increasing trend but not the numbers clearly. (OK, yes it's true. in some graphs, we may not get the 'exact' figures)

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Source one highlights two main benefits for Singapore under the east India company and British Indian government. The ability to develop trade freely due to a fair administration and the British Indian governments remarkable financial support for 34 years.(in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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Singapore benefited due to the resourcefulness of its people. Since the EIC had established administration, Singapore was able to trade freely, increasing their finance and economy (yes, good, an attempt to infer and write in your own words!). After that, the British government was not getting profit.

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The EIC made Singapore an able and just administration which allowed Singapore to build up its trade freely. Hence, allowing Singapore to become the successful and well known port it was known as (good attempt in trying to infer the source and writing in your own words- there was economic growth and businesses benefited from the EIC)

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1. From 1824 to 1923, the trade increased (you may want to look at the graph or table carefully. there were changes in the amount of trade)

2. The more imported goods, the more money earned (not only import though, export of goods took place in SG. Yes, there were more imported goods, but what caused this to happen?)

3. Graph as it is easier to read and understand (agree, at a glance, graph gives us an overview)

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The EIC established a good administration, so Singapore could build up its trade freely. (in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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The EIC created laws and made SG a free port, and thus allowing SG to become a more successful port.(good effort, you inferred and saw the 'big picture')

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1. From 1824 to 1923, the trade increased but decreased from 1923 to 1933. Then, it increased again from 1933 to 1938. (good observation about the decrease in 1923-1933)

2. The first time, it increased because its location was very convenient for traders. (good attempt. location was a factor. any other reasons why there were more traders in SG? secondly, you mentioned the decline, do you know the reason for this?)

3. Graphs are better. We are able to see the trends clearer at one glance and its easier to understand. (OK but graphs can be inaccurate)

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According to Source 1, Singapore benefited from being under the control of the East India Company (EIC) and the British India Government in several ways:

-The EIC set up an able and just administration in Singapore. This effective governance provided a stable environment for the colony. (good inference. stable environment and i guess 'safer' and peaceful too...)

-The administration allowed Singapore to build up its trade freely, contributing a lot to its prosperity. (yes, SG became prosperous. businesses benefited)

-The British India Government supported Singapore financially for 34 years, from 1833 to 1867. This support was crucial as the colony did not generate profit for the British India Government and barely paid any taxes. (despite British Indian Government being broke, it continued to support the Straits Settlement like SG)

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The EIC established an able and just administration, which allowed Singapore to build up its trade freely. The British Indian Government supported a constant drain on its finances to maintain a colony from which it gained no profit, and which hardly paid a cent it taxes. The above information shows that Singapore benefited from both the EIC and the British Indian Government. (in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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1. from 1824 to 1923, the trade increased, from 1923 to 1933, the trade decreased , and from 1933 to 1938, the trade increased again. (good observation of the decline in 1923-1933)

2. the greater the amount of imports, the greater the amount of trade. (yes, but why? why did trade increase? you also need to address the reasons for the decline during 1923-1933)

3. table, as it is easier to read and more organised. (OK)

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1. They were able to build its trade freely, increasing their finance (whose finance? in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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1. As shown by the amount of money earned in the table, trade increased from 1824 to 1923. There was a sudden drop in 1933. Trade increased again in 1938. (good observation on the drop in trade in 1933)

2. When Raffles opened a port in Singapore, people started trading here. Since the port was convenient and accessible, more and more people traded here, thus trade, both imports and exports, increased between 1824 and 1923. However, trade decreased between 1923 and 1938. This could be because of famine, so countries could only afford to trade less of their foods and objects. (good effort in attempting to explain the trends! yes, port was convenient and hence trade increased. more than that, the British made SG a free port. 1920s to 1930s, part of the decline was the Great Depression)

3. We believe that graph is easy to read if we want to identify general trends and not a specific number. However, if we want to record down the specific amount or unit or the trend is very inconsistent, a table is preferred. (good thinking. i agree with you)

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The EIC established laws and made SG a free port so SG could build up its trade successfully!!! (ok, any other benefits under the British India Government's rule?)

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Yes we think the British should suppress prostitution. The woman coming from China, Japan and other countries were exploited and trafficked which abuses human rights. Females as young as 13 would be forced or tricked into working as prostitutes and earn money for Brothel owners. This is inhumane and should hence be suppressed. (yes, especially if they young girls, and those who did not consent to coming here to work as prostitutes. they were deceived. such people should be punished)

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1) I think that this space was occupied by a family as there are many shirts strung all around the place (yes valid observation) and the apartment was very messy with stuff all around the place. The place also has two beds (ok and other items like sewing machine) and which means that there probably is more than one person living in the apartment.

2) Source 2 tells me that the living conditions of the coolies not very good (yes, poor conditions) as the place is very messy and most of the places in the small apartment is occupied with shirts and dirty items strewn all over the place (good observation). I can also see a piece of cloth just hanging from the ceiling which also means that the place is probably very dirty and unhygienic as there are no places which are actually designated for hanging or washing their clothes which means that their clothes and items are probably very dirty and probably have not been cleaned in a while. Thus the living conditions of the coolies were not very good. (small windows also- ventilation is poor, looks dark...)

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EIC established an able and just administration, which allowed singapore to build up its trade. the british indian government supported a constant drain on its finances to maintain a colony for 34 years (in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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1. From 1824 to 1923, the total amount of money earned increased. In 1933, the amount of money earned decreased. In 1938, the amount of money earned increased once again. (good observation on the decline and then the uptrend in different periods)

2. From 1824 to 1923, the amount of money earned increased because of the opening of the Suez Canal and the expansion of the tin and rubber industries. (good! you managed to link the events/developments to the trend) In 1933, the amount of money earned decreased because of the Great Depression. In 1938, the amount of money earned increased again as the economy recovered from the Great Depression. (yes, spot on)

3. The table is a better way to present data as the numbers are already listed down in the table. (yes, you can record specific, exact numbers)

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1. Why did crime rates increase in early Singapore?

With the increasing number of migrants and the growth of trade, there were also more robberies, murders, and other crimes, hence the crime rates increased in early Singapore. (indeed. some immigrants were desperate and poor plus secret societies aggravated the situation)

2. Identify THREE common crimes in early Singapore.

Robberies, murders, and public riots. (true!)

3. Why was it difficult to recruit men to the police force in the past?

It was because that was before Thomas Dunman’s appointment as Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Superintendent of Police in 1843, and the police force was less appealing, with poor working conditions and very low wages. (spot on. it was considered a highly dangerous job back in those days)

4. Describe THREE measures Thomas Dunman carried out to improve the police force.

First, he made the police force more appealing by fighting for better working conditions. Next, he also fought for higher wages for potential recruits. Lastly, he took good care of the men under him and conducted night classes to teach them to read and write (he showed them he cared for the men under him).

5. Which other organisation did the police force work

closely with in the 19th century?

The police force worked closely in the 19th century with

the Chinese Protectorate (yes) and the Dangerous Societies Ordinance ('ordinance' means a law or an order. It's not an organisation).

6. Identify THREE common crimes in current Singapore.

Shoplifting, theft, and cybercrime. (yes, i agree... cybercrime is so common!)

7. Is the current police force better than the past? Why or why not?

Yes, it is better than the past. First, there has been a continual emphasis on professional development and training within the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Officers are trained to handle a wide range of situations with professionalism and adherence to established protocols, which contributes to effective law enforcement. There has been a continual emphasis on professional development and training within the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Officers are trained to handle a wide range of situations with professionalism and adherence to established protocols, which contributes to effective law enforcement. Next, Singapore has maintained relatively low crime rates compared to many other countries. Public perception of the police force generally remains positive, reflecting confidence in their abilities to maintain law and order. Lastly, Singapore's police force benefits from advanced technologies such as surveillance systems, forensic capabilities, and digital crime-fighting tools. These advancements enhance crime detection, investigation efficiency, and public safety. (Good work! yes, the SPF utilises technology and keeps up to date with trends eg. cybersecurity threats, terrorism, cybercrimes. we also engage the community to support and report. some officers are specialised too)

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Yes, the British should suppress prostitution in Singapore, for the following reasons-

1) The livelihoods of the prostitutes

Many of the prostitutes in the brothels were sold into prostitution against their will, tricked into fulfilling the migrant worker’s sexual needs. Some were coerced or forced into prostitution and were often subjects to beatings. With little to no medical attention given to them, the women were often diseased and many became victims to murder. When some saw no escape from their living hell, they chose to commit suicide, some jumping from roofs and others overdosing on opium. (yes, that's true. the women suffered a lot. in order to prevent them from escaping, brothel owners threatened and locked up the women.)

2) Sexually transmitted diseases

With the increasing number of brothels and people having unprotected sexual intercourse, there was bound to be an increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases. (yes, such diseases spread fast. women who were infected will be sickly and their health severely affected, some might not live long)

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1. There is an increase in Imports and Exports in Singapore from 1824 to 1923 before a decrease from 1923 to 1933. (good observation of the decrease in 1923-1933. do note that after 1934, the trade gradually increased)

2. There was an increase from 1824 to 1923 due to Singapore growing in popularity as the mid way port from China to India. (true, plus free port status. also there were other external developments like opening of the Suez Canal) The decrease from 1923 to 1933 was due to the Great Depression, causing a decrease in global trades. (yes, good you caught that)

3. The graph is better as you can see the steady increase between each year and it is easier to tell when there is a spike. (agree. a graph gives a quick overview/ understanding of the situation albeit inaccurate sometimes)

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yes. suppressing prostitution in singapore would reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases which poses significant health risks. this will also greatly reduce the suicidal rate of prostitutes as they used to commit suicide as a form of escapism. by suppressing prostitution, british officials can also contribute to the creation of a more socially responsible society of early singapore. (true, prostitution had a lot of negative impact on the women. it wasn't right that the brothel owners benefited at the women's expense. women lived in misery)

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1. There were an increase in secret societies and due to the lack of police men, many crimes went unreported and hence more crime was committed (yes, spot on. the increase in immigrants is one main reason)

2. Prostitution, coolie abuse, robberies (ok, yes these were common)

3. the pay was unattractive and it was difficult to retain or hire suitable candidates (yes. any other reasons?)

4. he raised the calibre of policemen by stressing on discipline amongst officers he had established rules and regulations for officers to adhere to, drew patrol sector boundaries and introduced a standard uniform for use. He also fought for better working conditions and wages, shorter hours and a pension scheme (good work! yes, these were the measures he took to attract and retain good men in the police)

5. The straight’s settlement (Straits Settlements is a term for a group of 'areas' under British control. it comprises of Penang, Melaka and Singapore) the organisation that the police worked closely with was the Chinese Protectorate

6. Molestation, voyeurism, theft (spot on! outrage of modesty in general...)

7. Yes. The SPF is now a much bigger and well organised organisation with better technology than in the past (yes, plus proper training for the police and engaging the community to support)

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yes, the british authorities should suppress prostitution. it is wrong to treat the virginity of young girls as a privilege (like a prize, can be auctioned- clearly women were treated like objects to be bought and sold, no dignity), using them for sexual services. even more, most of these girls were unknowing victims who got tricked into the business, and their childhood would be stripped away from them. (yes, i agree... i think some might end up despising themselves, feel dirty, used etc. lastly, their health would be affected when they contracted venereal diseases... plus being kept in captivity...)

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Singapore benefitted by being able to develop trade freely due to fair administration and being supported financially by the British India Government(in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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Early Singapore faced rising crime due to urbanization, immigration, and weak law enforcement, including issues like opium smuggling and theft. (yes) Thomas Dunman reformed the police in the 19th century, improving organization and discipline, and worked closely with the Singapore Volunteer Corps (OK, this is valid, the volunteer corps helped to deal with disorder. this was in 1854... it later became the 'army' for Singapore) for public safety. Today, modern policing tackles common crimes like theft, cybercrime, and drug offenses with enhanced training and technology, despite challenges such as cyber threats. (so is the police force better?)

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According to source one, Singapore benefited by the EIC due to the resourcefulness of the people in EIC. The EIC also established an administration which allowed Singapore to build up its trade freely. The British India government also had a constant drain on its finances to maintain a colony while getting zero profit. (in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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Crime rates increased because of secret societies and piracy (yes. more migrants and many were poor)

Pirate ships threatening maritime trade, prostitution, murder, secret Societies, coolie abuse (you are right)

The pay was low and it was difficult to retain or hire suitable candidates (plus working conditions were tough)

Dunman had established rules and regulations for the police officers to adhere to, drawn patrol sector boundaries and introduces police uniform. He also pushed better for working conditions, higher wages, and shorter hours. (good, yes, he did all these to attract suitable men for the police force)

The police underwent a re-organisation with the enactment of the Police Force Ordinance in 1872. ('ordinance' means an order or law. It's not an organisation. the police at that time worked closely with the Chinese Protectorate)

Three common crimes in Singapore today are scams, Burglary and traffic violations. (yes, you are right!)

Yes they are definitely better. Today, they have a much bigger organisations, are better equipped, and also have better working conditions and training than last time. (true! specialist units in the police force today to deal with all kinds of definitely better salary, and safer working conditions too)

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1. Brotherhood is the relationship between the poor and uneducated young men that arrive in Singapore. (OK. also with the secret society's leaders and members) Brotherhood provides them with the protection of the society and takes care of them. (yes. sworn loyalty, like family)

2. Pickering’s tact, fluency in several Chinese dialects and personality helped him gain the trust of the Chinese. He was thus able to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complicated operations of secret societies. Along with improvements in policing, Pickering managed to bring some sense of order to Singapore society. (how did fluency in Chinese dialects help him?)

3. Secret societies in the past were largely popular with many members in it. Secret societies in the present have been largely eradicated as a security issue in Singapore (not so popular now because less need for joining such organisations). However many smaller groups remain today which attempt to mimic societies of the past. The membership of these societies is largely adolescent. (good. yes, in the past secret societies were popular and large. also mostly male adults. current secret societies are much smaller, not many people would join)

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1. From 1824 to 1923, trade increased and from 1923 to 1933, trade decreased by $462.9 million and from 1933 to 1938, trade increased again. (good observation on the decrease in 1923-1933 and the increase after 1933)

2. From 1824 to 1923, imports in Singapore increased due to its strategic location, being the port halfway between India and China and that it was a free port (good. yes and external developments like Suez Canal). However, from 1923 to 1933, imports in Singapore decreased as it was the year of the Great Depression (spot on!). From 1933 to 1938, imports in Singapore increased again. From 1824 to 1923, the exports in Singapore increased as more goods were exported out. From 1923 to 1933, exports in Singapore decreased and increased again from 1933 to 1938. (the economy in many countries improved after 1933 so demand for goods increased)

3. Table. The recordings can be recorded more orderly and neatly when putting the data in a table unlike when putting the data in the graph which may be harder for people to gauge and see the increase and decrease in trends unlike a table which is much easier when comparing the different trends. (good! i agree with you, graphs are useful to give you a 'big picture' of a situation but tables give specific, exact data)

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1.There was many hiding spots near the straits of Melaka, so pirates are able to hide near there before attacking, there was also a lot of things to steal, which made it a popular place for pirates to hide at. (yes, high trading volume and goods made piracy a lucrative activity)

2.The pirates used to be very violent, so it was rather hard for the British the suppress them. (budget constraints, did not have many ships to patrol the sea before SG was a fully British colony.)

3.Items got stolen and people were either killed or injured, or both when a piracy attack occurs. Police forces were not that strong in the past and piracy attack did not stop until later on. (yes, affected SG trade overall)

4. Piracy is no longer a concern here in Singapore. Singapore’s police force (police coast guard is very strong and pirates are becoming less violent. There are also less pirates attacks here in singapore, so it is not really a concern anymore in singapore.) (yes! piracy isn't a popular 'occupation' anymore)

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1. i think this living space is shared by a family, since there are many different types of clothing and objects in the room. (inference is correct- try to give more supporting evidence from photo)

2. thus tells me that the living space of coolies were extremely cramped and uncomfortable (strong, valid inference), a small room housing a whole family instead of just one person. (supporting evidence to show why it's 'extremely cramped and uncomfortable' eg. the wooden bed? many objects like clothing, sewing machines around...)

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1. ﻿﻿﻿Why did crime rates increase in early Singapore?

The population of Singapore increased greatly from 1819 to 1821 as large numbers of migrants arrived, speaking 57 different languages. This growth caused more crimes. (yes, this was very challenging- a large variety of people in SG)

2. ﻿﻿﻿Identify THREE common crimes in early Singapore.

Robberies, murders and riots. (OK, these were common due to secret societies)

3. ﻿﻿﻿Why was it difficult to recruit men to the police force in the past?

The job was not very appealing. Working conditions were poor and wages were little. (also deemed a risky job)

4. ﻿﻿﻿Describe THREE measures
Thomas Dunman carried out to improve the police force.

Dunman persisted in giving recruits better wages and working conditions to attract more men with good character, causing the police force to grow in strength and numbers. (pension and uniform for better image)

5. ﻿﻿﻿Which other
organisation did the police force work closely with in the 19th century?

The government (which one? government is a huge 'organisation' :)

6. ﻿﻿﻿Identify THREE common crimes in current
Singapore.

Drugs, money laundering, and cybercrime. (i think drugs might not be the 'top 3' crimes in SG, vaping might be a greater issue... however, there are more drug-related cases in SG and drug abusers are getting younger. money-laundering is not that common either. cybercrimes, yes, very common; includes scams)

7. ﻿﻿﻿Is the current police force better than the past? Why or why not?

Yes. There are about nine thousand regular police officers and close to two thousand volunteers and 26,459 reservists. We are more protected with larger number of police officers and crimes are less seen. (good info on the number of police officers in SPF. they keep SG safe and secure)

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Q1. From 1824 to 1923, the total trade increases but starts decreasing from 1933 to 1938. (good you noticed the decrease but i think this started in 1920s. after 1933, trade gradually increased)

Q2. In addition to trade articles, money, Western trading firms, and Asian merchants accumulated in Singapore, leading to remark- able trade growth based on the trade relationships with Southeast Asian countries. Thus, Singapore became the centre of international trade for Southeast Asia, which accelerated its regional integration into the West-led global economy. The effect of the revolution of transport and communication (valid- do you know what the 'revolution' was? industrial revolution and invention of steamships) driven by Western colonialism and the growing demand for raw material in Western industrial countries also caused the trade to increase. (agree. specifically, SG was made a free port with free trade)

1933 to 1938: Decrease in Imports and Exports

1. Impact of the Great Depression (1930s): (yes, Great Depression caused the drop in trade in SG)

﻿﻿The global economic downturn led to decreased demand for goods, impacting both imports and exports.

﻿﻿Reduced international trade volumes affected Singapore's role as an entrepôt and trading hub.

Q3. The table is a better way to represent as it is tidier and it is able to more specifically show the trade data hence making it more easier to find trends and change to compare. (OK)

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1. Brotherhood in secret societies creates close bonds, loyalty, trust, and support. Members see each other as brothers, prioritizing the group’s interests. This is essential for secrecy, cohesion, protection, and effective cooperation. (ok, yes loyalty and mutual help were their beliefs)

2. William Pickering, the British protector of the Chinese, was fluent in Chinese(and dialects too) had deep cultural knowledge, and earned trust and respect. He advocated for the rights and well-being of the Chinese community. (yes, he was sincere in helping the Chinese)

3. Past secret societies protected members' interests and engaged in social and economic activities. Present secret societies often focus on organized crime and illegal activities. (yes, i guess the present secret societies don't contribute much to the community. more like involved in petty crimes)

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1. ‘Brotherhood’ refers to a strong bond or camaraderie that exists among its members, which is often characterised by mutual trust, loyalty, and solidarity. It is important because first, brotherhood fosters a sense of unity among members, creating a supportive network where individuals can rely on each other for assistance, protection, and collaboration. Next, secret societies operate clandestinely, often dealing with sensitive or illegal activities. Brotherhood ensures that members maintain secrecy and confidentiality, as trust is essential to the organisation’s survival. Lastly, many secret societies have deep historical roots or cultural significance. Brotherhood preserves traditions and rituals that have been passed down through generations, contributing to the continuity of the organisation’s legacy. (yes, secret societies are particular about loyalty and 'looking after one another')

2. Pickering was known for his adeptness in diplomacy and negotiation. He maintained good relations with various ethnic communities in Singapore, including the Chinese, and mediated conflicts diplomatically. He had a deep understanding of local customs, traditions, and languages. This cultural awareness allowed him to communicate effectively and navigate the complexities of the multicultural society in Singapore. As a prominent figure in the British colonial administration, Pickering held authority and leadership qualities that enabled him to exert influence and maintain order in the region. Pickering was respected for his fairness and commitment to justice. He worked to uphold British law and order while also addressing the needs and concerns of the local communities, including the Chinese population. Operating in a dynamic and sometimes turbulent environment, Pickering demonstrated resilience and adaptability. He was able to respond to challenges and changing circumstances effectively. Pickering was instrumental in promoting economic development and infrastructure projects in Singapore. He recognised the potential of the settlement as a trading hub and worked towards its growth and prosperity. (good, you have summed up on Pickering!)

3. In the past, secret societies in Singapore and other parts of Asia often originated as mutual aid organisations for specific ethnic groups or communities. They provided social support, protection, and communal activities but also engaged in illicit activities such as gambling, extortion, and violent clashes. Modern secret societies in Singapore are less prevalent due to stringent laws and enforcement against organised crime. Those that do exist may focus more on social or cultural activities rather than criminal enterprises. They may also operate discreetly to avoid legal scrutiny.

Membership in historical secret societies was often based on familial or community ties, with initiation rituals and hierarchies. Loyalty and secrecy were crucial. Modern secret societies, if active, may still have selective membership based on cultural or social ties, but recruitment practices are likely more discreet due to legal restrictions and societal norms against organised crime. (secret societies in the past were more 'structured', with hierarchy and many members. present day secret societies are more loosely organised. in terms of criminal activities, both were involved- just that the present secret societies are involved in more petty crimes)

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1. The crime rate increased due to the number of people stealing and doing crimes with illegal organisation. (the secret societies... plus increased number of migrants)

2. 1. Pirate ships threatening maritime trade

2.increasing number of poverty-stricken immigrants (and what criminal activities did they commit?)

3.Poor morale among rank-and-file officers (yes, the weak police force allowed crimes to increase)

3. It was difficult as the working conditions were poor and the wages and money they would get is very little. It is also a dangerous job due to the high number of criminals. (yes)

4. Thomas Dunman worked tirelessly to make the police force more appealing to potential recruits by fighting for better working conditions and higher wages. (valid points. he pushed for the pension scheme for retired policemen too)

5. The police force worked closely with Chinese protectorate and dangerous societies ordinance. (yes as most crimes were committed by the Chinese)

6. 1.stealing

2.peeping Tom (under outrage of modesty. yes increasing!)

3.homicide (happens but might not be a top 3 crime in SG)

7. The current police force is better than the past. As there is more people joining to protect the singaporean citizens and they have more advanced technologies now. (are you referring to the community supporting the police force? if so, it's true also. the community plays a part in keeping SG safer. Tech definitely improved our police force)

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Brotherhood in secret societies are the relationships between the poor and uneducated young men that arrive in Singapore. (OK also with other members and leaders in the secret societies)

Brotherhood provides these young men with the protection of the society and takes care of them. (OK)

Questions 2 and 3 not addressed.

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The Singapore benefit because the EIC allows it to build up its trade freely and they supported a constant drain on its finances to maintain a colony from which it gained no profit, and which hardly paid a cent in taxes (in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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1. It meant that whenever one of them were in trouble or is unwell, they will all contribute money and help take care of them as a form of protection (yes, like family, look after one another)

2. He had a strong curiosity with the Chinese and also knew many Chinese dialects which helped with finding the secret Chinese societies (why do you think that knowing Chinese dialects very important for Pickering?)

3. Secret societies used to rob banks and many many more stuff whereas majority of secret societies now are lone shark harassers (violent crimes and activities vs petty crimes and less violent activities.)

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1. There were more migrants coming to SG and the number of secret societies increased (OK)

2. Robberies, murder and prostitution (yes)

3. Poor working conditions and low pay (plus work can be risky)

4. He established rules and regulations, fought for better working conditions and higher pay (OK. pension too)

5. The government (government is a large organisation though.)

6. Drugs, stealing and murder (drugs and murder might not be top 3 crimes although drugs-related offences are on the rise... according to the Straits Times, 6 people were charged for murder in 2022, that seems pretty low...)

7. Yes because there are police officers to protect us so the crime rates are lower (our police force is also advanced in terms of training and well-equipped)

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1. Brotherhood in secret societies signifies a strong bond among members, based on trust and mutual support. (yes ok. loyalty important in brotherhood)

2. William Pickering, known for his diplomatic prowess and understanding of Chinese cultures, effectively managed British interests in his role as protector of the Chinese.

3. Comparing past and present secret societies shows that while historical groups focused on mutual aid and resistance (resistance to what/who?), modern societies often engage in illegal activities like drug trafficking, illustrating shifts in societal dynamics and the nature of clandestine organizations over time. (so secret societies in the past were more 'helpful' and 'useful'. whereas now, it's just a platform for illegal activities)

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1. Brotherhood in secret societies referred to the bond between the members and the trust and loyalty that had toward each other. It was important because they were all struggling and in the same situation so they had each other to share their hardships with. (yes)

2. William Pickering was resilient and very smart. He came up with ways to find out more about secret societies. For example he immersed himself in the lives of fellow immigrants and was very persistent. He is also smart and came up with an unusual technique to stop post office riots between Hokkien and Teochews by playing his bagpipes. (good points! he tried to build rapport with the Chinese people so that they would trust him)

3. In the past, there were more secret societies and now there are less. The secret societies today are generally smaller (yes secret societies not popular nowadays, people do not need 'protection' or 'help' by joining gangs) than in the past and now it is easier for the police to catch the members. In the past, the members were Chinese speaking and the police force and government could do nothing about it as they did not speak Chinese. However, today the first language for Singaporeans is English so it would be easier to find out about secret societies. (not only that, police force is multiracial so getting info on the Chinese secret societies is easy)

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1. the straits of malacca has a very strategic location and handles a significant portion of global trades, making it easier for pirates to intercept cargo ships. (a lot of hideouts with swamps and jungles)

2. pirates could adapt quickly to changing circumstances. they employed fast ships and utilised local knowledge of waterways. (is this the only reason for piracy being challenging for the British?)

3. piracy disrupted maritime trade routes passing through singapore and traders faced the constant threat of piracy, which deterred ships from using these routes. (OK, trade declined for a period of time)

4. yes but at a lesser extent compared to early singapore. (why a less extent though?)

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1. During the season between August and October, lots of pirates came to the Straits of Melaka and many people were attacked as there were many things to steal for the pirates. (besides the monsoon winds/weather, what about the physical surrounding of the area that increased piracy?)

2. The government could not punish the pirates and had to send them to India for trial, and only until the traders appealed many times did the government send boats from India to patrol waters. (yes, before SG was a full British colony, legal system not in place yet. plus budget constraints, especially when SG was under the East India Company)

3. Many traders avoided Singapore because of the pirate attacks, and thus Singapore’s trade and traders suffered greatly. (yes not to mention deaths/injuries from pirate attacks)

4. Piracy is still a concern for Singapore today as most of the attacks are in the Singapore straits. (why though?)

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1. I think this space was occupied by a family. As the room is very messy and there are many things strewn around. There are also many clothes all around the room. Since there are two beds in the room, the room should be occupied by at least two people. (valid observation with some evidence)

2. Source 2 tells me that the living condition for cookies were not good. The room is messy and cramped, there are many things all around the room. The things in the room look old and dirty. Thus, the space looks unhygienic and not suitable for a whole family to live in. (yes, only one small window... poor ventilation)

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1. there was a large poverty-stricken immigrant population hence they needed to steal to survive (secret societies also played a part)

2. prostitution robbery and murder (OK)

3. working conditions were poor, wages were low, long hours of work and a pension scheme was not very good (i think pension scheme was introduced later so as to attract men to join the police force. being a police was considered dangerous)

4. he raised the calibre of policemen by stressing on discipline amongst officers, established rules and regulations for officers to adhere to, drew patrol sector boundaries and introduced a standard uniform for use. (yes)

5. police force ordinance (an 'ordinance' is like an order or a law. this organisation dealt with the Chinese in SG)

6. sexual abuse (outrage of modesty), robbery and money laundering (money-laundering may not be the top crime in SG.)

7. yes as there is advancements in technology, specialised training and better coordination (good point on 'better coordination', but do you know what coordination? coordinating with other government agencies to tackle crimes and cases)

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1. While large numbers of settlers came to SG, the number crimes also started increasing. (yes. more humans = more crimes)

2. i) robberies

ii) murders

iii) human trafficking (you mean the coolies and girls and young women?)

3. The working environment was not good, and the wages pained was not high. (also the job was considered 'risky')

4. i) higher wages

ii) better working conditions

iii) took good care of the men and taught them how to read and write (yes)

5. CPDSC (full name place)

6. i) molesting

ii) domestic violence

iii) phishing (yes. not sure if domestic violence maybe less common than phishing)

7. Yes. It is more active than the police force in the past and there are more people to ensure that all laws are followed. There are also new technologies (valid) that help the police arrest criminals faster. (also more manpower and help from the community)

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Q1. As the population grew, more traders and immigrants moved to sg, so more crimes and robberies took place. (OK, plus secret societies)

Q2. Some common crimes include murders, riots and robberies, creating an unsafe environment for the population. (Yes)

Q3. Back then, the job was not very appealing to young men, as the working conditions were extremely poor, and the wages were low, and fighting crimes could also put lives at risk, making it not very appealing job. (Yes, long working hours)

Q4. Working tirelessly to improve the Force, Thomas Dunman raised the calibre of policemen by stressing on discipline amongst officers. By 1846, he had established rules and regulations for officers to adhere to, drew patrol sector boundaries and introduced a standard uniform for use. He also fought for better working conditions and wages, shorter hours and a pension scheme. (good work!)

Q5. They worked with the organisations of the secret societies, to avoid more robberies or riots started by the secret societies. Such as the Chinese protectorate (this is the organisation that the police force worked closely with) Dangerous society alliance.

Q6. Abuse, Harrasement and theft. (harassment: mainly outrage of modesty)

Q7. Yes. The police force is made up of people of all races, so language was not a problem for them to communicate (true). The working conditions and wages are much better and higher, making the job very attractive to both men and women. (modern police force uses technology, have specialised police officers)

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1. Crime rates increased in early Singapore due to several factors. Rapid population growth caused overcrowded living conditions and social tensions. There was also lack of effective law enforcement. As the police forces was small and ill-equipped to handle the growing population, it was difficult to maintain law and order effectively. (nice! you have covered all possible reasons)

2. Three common crimes in early Singapore were opium smuggling and consumption, secret society activities and piracy. (yes, secret society activities can be rioting, murder, fighting etc)

3. Recruiting men to the police force in the past was difficult due to the low pay and poor conditions. It was also a dangerous job as officers frequently faced violent criminals and dangerous situations. There was also a negative perception which made the job less appealing. (yes, difficult and dangerous job!)

4. Thomas Dunman improved the police force by introducing systematic training programs. He also improved pay and the working conditions of the police officers. He even reorganized the police force with a clear structure and improve administrations. (good. he also fought for a pension scheme for retired police officers)

5. The police force worked closely with the local colonial administration. (which is? look in the textbook. it's an organisation that helped the Chinese)

6. Three common crimes in current Singapore include shoplifting and theft, cybercrime and drug offenses. (drug offences might not be a top 3 crime. SG laws punish drug offenders harshly)

7. The current police force in Singapore is better than in the past. Now, it has advanced technology, professionalism and training. It also has community engagement and improved standards and accountability. (nice. yes, the police force involves the community to look out for potential threats. training is specialised for some officers to deal with terrorism, cybersecurity threats.)

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According to source 1, EIC established an administration so Singapore could build up its trade freely, and within 34 years, the British maintained a colony. The people living in Singapore then hardly paid any taxes, so the British did not make any profit. (in other words... what did SG gain from the EIC? try to sum up ie. infer in your own words)

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1. Family. The space is quite cramped, with multiple areas suggesting shared use. The bed is large and seems designed for multiple people, indicating it might be used by parents and children. Various clothes are strewn about, including children's clothing, which implies the presence of more than one person. The room has a mix of personal belongings and decorative items, suggesting a family trying to make a small space feel more homely. The presence of toys or children's items would further confirm this, but even without clear toys, the mix of items suggests different needs and ages. Items such as the sewing machine (most likely a woman used it?) indicate the space is used for both living and working, a common situation for families trying to maximise the utility of limited space. The visible food items, such as the bowl of apples and other kitchen supplies, suggest communal living and shared meals typical of a family unit. (do you notice something in the centre, hanging? what do you think this is?) Good details and description...

2. Source 2 tells us about the below living conditions. The image reflects the cramped and overcrowded conditions that many Chinese immigrants faced. Such small spaces were often shared by multiple family members. The room serves multiple functions—sleeping, working, and eating—indicating the necessity to make the most of limited space. The modest and somewhat makeshift nature of the furnishings suggests economic challenges, common among immigrant families who were often paid low wages and lived in poor conditions. Despite the hardships, the presence of personal and cultural items shows the immigrants' effort to maintain their cultural identity and family bonds. (yes, living conditions were not ideal. cramped, possibly unhygienic. only one small window- suggests poor ventilation)

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Yes. The woman coming from China and other countries were exploited and trafficked. Young girls would be forced or tricked into working as prostitutes and earn money for Brothel owners. This is inhumane and thus should be suppressed. (yes, violating human rights. underaged girls... not the way their lives should be)

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No, we think it should not be suppressed. First, prostitution provided an essential source of income for many women who had few other opportunities for employment (if adult women and have made this choice as their way of earning income, then yes, valid... some women see this as their livelihood). Suppressing it without providing viable economic alternatives would have left these women destitute and potentially driven them to more dangerous forms of illegal work (well... not wrong... if they did not become prostitutes they would be taking up jobs that were tougher and dangerous like mining, construction...). Next, rather than outright suppression, a regulated prostitution industry could have been controlled to ensure better health and safety standards (yes, provided the British authorities check on them). Regulation could have included regular health check-ups, sanitary conditions, and legal protections for sex workers, reducing the spread of venereal diseases and other health risks. Lastly, by addressing the root causes of prostitution, such as poverty, lack of education, and limited employment opportunities, could have been more effective in the long term (i agree with you... get women educated so that they need not resort to this profession or they have a chance to get out of it). By focusing on economic and social reforms, the British authorities could have reduced the reliance on prostitution as a means of survival.

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1. The Straits of Melaka was a narrow and busy maritime passage connecting the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, making it a prime target for pirates seeking to intercept valuable cargo (there's an area along the Straits of Melaka and near SG that is very narrow, ideal for pirates). The high volume of trade passing through the Straits, including spices, silk, and other valuable goods (yes, pirates could sell them and make money), provided lucrative opportunities for pirates. The region's political landscape was fragmented, with multiple small, competing kingdoms and sultanates that lacked the resources or coordination to effectively combat piracy. In some cases, local rulers or communities supported or tolerated piracy as a source of income or a way to exert control over maritime trade routes (right, piracy was a way of life, an occupation in the past). Before the British established a strong naval presence, there was limited enforcement of law and order on the seas, allowing piracy to flourish. (good work, girls, lots of details)

2. The vast expanse of the Straits and the numerous small islands provided hiding spots and escape routes for pirates, making it difficult for the British navy to patrol effectively. Pirates used fast, small vessels that were difficult to track and intercept. They also employed guerrilla tactics, attacking quickly and disappearing before naval forces could respond. (this is true. also, before 1850s, British authorities didn't have the resources to have patrol ships to suppress piracy)

3. Piracy disrupted trade routes and made maritime travel risky, affecting the flow of goods and economic stability in early Singapore. The threat of piracy created a sense of insecurity that could deter traders and investors from operating in the region. The need to combat piracy led to increased military engagement and expenditures, which could strain local resources and administrative capacities. (yes, piracy at its peak did deter some traders from venturing to Asia. many traders pressurised the British government to do something)

4. Yes, but to a lower extent. While traditional piracy has diminished, modern piracy still poses a threat, particularly in the form of armed robberies against ships in the surrounding waters. Enhanced security measures, including coordinated naval patrols, improved surveillance technology, and international cooperation, have significantly reduced the threat. Singapore’s strategic location at a major maritime crossroads still makes it vulnerable to piracy-related risks, necessitating ongoing vigilance and security efforts. (yes, i think pirates around SG and Straits of Melaka are small in number and less violent too. also the MPA and police coast guard are vigilant)

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The cramped space is shared by multiple family members, with a large bed likely used by both parents and children. The presence of various clothes, including children's clothing, indicates the presence of more than one person. The mix of personal belongings and decorative items suggests the family is trying to make the small space feel homely (good observation... yes, i think the occupants tried to make their space more comfortable and inviting...). Items like a sewing machine indicate the space is used for both living and working (good observation, i like this inference! possibly a woman lived here, she sewed clothes to earn money). Visible food items, such as a bowl of apples, suggest communal living and shared meals. (do you notice something in the centre of the 'room' that is hanging down? what do you think that is?)

The image shows the cramped and overcrowded conditions faced by many Chinese immigrants, with multiple family members sharing small spaces. The room is multifunctional, serving as a place for sleeping, working, and eating, reflecting the need to maximize limited space. The modest furnishings suggest economic challenges (yes it suggests the occupants were poor), common among immigrant families with low wages and poor living conditions. Despite hardships, personal and cultural items show efforts to maintain cultural identity and family bonds. (unhygienic conditions too- look at the small window)

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The EIC made Singapore a free port allowing Singapore to grow as a trading port. (ok yes, it was made a free port, any other actions/measures carried out by the EIC and British Indian government?)

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Prostitution was a vital income source for many women with few job options. Without other economic opportunities, banning it would have left them destitute and driven them to riskier illegal activities. (this is true, but provided they are adult and made the choice themselves... then yes, why not?)

Regulating prostitution could have improved health and safety, ensuring regular health check-ups, sanitary conditions, and legal protections, thus reducing health risks. (British government must do it otherwise... it's a problem)

Addressing underlying issues like poverty, lack of education, and limited job opportunities would have been more effective. Economic and social reforms could have reduced the need for women to rely on prostitution for survival. (yes, need to give women some education so they have other viable ways of making income)

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1. The Straits has a very strategic location for trading, making it a prime target for pirates to intercept ships transporting goods (surrounding areas along the Straits of Melaka made it conducive for piracy to flourish)

2. The British lacked funds to suppress all the pirates trying to steal goods (yes, lack of ships to patrol the area, especially when SG was under the East India Company & Indian government)

3. Piracy disrupted trade and harmed many innocent people (OK)

4. Piracy is not a big concern as Singapore has managed to control the situation and suppress pirates from attacking ship (yes, our police coast guard & MPA)

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I think this space was occupied by a family. There are clothing hung all over the room and many different items in the room. (yes)

It was very crowded and there is only one bed for the entire family. The living conditions were bad and the room was always a squeeze. (yes, very cramped, a lot of items)

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Q1. I think the space is most likely shared by a family. In the picture, evidence shows such as having a bunk bed (i thought it was, but probably not... it's just the top of the bed. it can't hold a person, might collapse!), which tells us more than 1 person lives there. There are many clothes which could not possibly be owned by just one person. In the corners, there are numerous cutlery like bowls and plates neatly stacked in a corner, which implies that many people staying there eat together. (yes, one person doesn't need so many bowls right)

Q2. Source 2 tells us that the living space of the coolies were very cramped and small, and the living conditions were extremely poor. Due to lack of money, most coolies paid for transport to sg by working for employers for free, thus provided with poor living quarters. The living spaces are also very dirty and unhygienic, which could possibly lead to spread of diseases or illnesses such as influzena, or hand foot mouth disease. With many dirty clothes strewn everywhere, it looks as if they were not provided with necessities and living there would be a terrible experience. (good points about the diseases... spread easily in a cramped space. also the window- isn't too big, suggests poor ventilation)

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Brotherhood in secret societies are the relationships between the young men who are poor and uneducated that arrive in Singapore. (brotherhood involved mutual help and loyalty too)

Brotherhood provides these young men with protection of the society and and allows them to progress as one. (OK)

What about Questions 2 and 3?

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1. From 1824 to 1923, trade increased, but from 1923 tio 1933, trade decreased. From 1933 to 1938, trade increased once more. (good observation of the trends)

2. Because of Singapore’s ideal geographical location, trade from 1824 to 1867 increased (also free port status and certain external developments.) However, due to the Great Depression, Singapore’s trade decreased from 1923 to 1933. After the Great Depression, Singapore’s trade slowly started to increase again from 1933 to 1938. (good work here)

3. In this case, the graph is easier to read, as we are able to tell the increase and decrease (trend) of Singapore’s trade as time progresses, much easier than in the table. (OK, agree that graph is easier to observe trends than a table)

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• Brotherhood is the spirit of camaraderie that bonds a secret society together. If a secret society member is sick, the others would take care of them. If they died with no one around to bury them, the secret society would arrange for a proper burial for them (yes, this is true. 'brotherhood' also meant loyalty, not to betray the 'brothers')

•William Pickering knew Chinese dialects and was able to gain the trust of the Chinese so he could reduce secret society related crimes. (yes, he made the effort to befriend the Chinese migrants)

• In the past secret societies had many members and carried out raids on houses and banks. They were powerful because of the amounts of members they had. Now, there are less members and they do not carry out raids and robberies anymore. (secret societies at present carry out petty crimes and fights... not as dangerous and active as in the past)

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Yes, the British should suppress prostitution. The women that came from Japan, China etc. were trafficked and exploited, this goes against human rights (agree; no one should be forced to take up such work). Females as young as 13 would be tricked of forced to work as prostitutes and earn money for Brothel owners. This is wrong and thus should be suppressed. (young and vulnerable, more susceptible to venereal diseases too. many do not live long)

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1. It is so that there would be trust, support, unity, boding (bonding?) and protection in secret societies. Which allows the members to be able to rely on each other, help each other, share common goals, and create a sense of belonging. (also loyalty to fellow 'brothers')

2. He possess language skills (speaks Chinese dialects), he had cultural knowledge (understood Chinese customs), he was good at negotiating, he was respected by all, and was known for being trustworthy. (yes)

3. in the past, the purpose of the secret society was mainly for protection , mutual aid, politics and religion (yes, and secret societies used the members for criminal activities to 'earn $'.) It was also highly secretive and strict hierarchy. However, in the present, it was mainly about criminal (petty crimes like illegal money lending, fights) or business related. It was also more about exclusivity (what do you mean?) and it was less formal (less ranking or hierarchy? fewer rules for members too)

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1. Crime rates increased in early Singapore as the population grew and the trade increased. (not forgetting secret societies...)

2. a) robberies

b) murders

c) piracy (yes plus rioting too)

3. It was difficult to recruit men as there were poor working conditions and low wages. (dangerous job too)

4. a) he stressed on discipline among officers

b) he fought for better working conditions and higher wages

c) established rules and regulations to adhere to (yes. he also introduced the pension scheme)

5. Chinese protectorate (yes this is the organisation that protected the Chinese and worked closely with the police) and the dangerous ordinance ('ordinance' means an order or a law)

6. a) shop theft

b) outrage of modesty

c) voyeurism (yes... very common in recent years)

7. The current police force is better than the past as new capabilities and measures have been developed. (use of technology to detect, record or investigate. a lot of specialised training in different areas)

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1) I think this space is occupied by a family as there are different clothes on the bed. (valid observation)

2) Source 2 tells me that the living conditions were bad since the apartment is small and cramped and it is filled with dirty objects. (the walls, furniture looked rundown)

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Piracy in the Straits of Melaka disrupted trade and caused economic instability in early Singapore, deterring traders and investors. The need to combat piracy increased military engagement and strained local resources. (OK, i assume this is the impact of piracy?)

Modern piracy has diminished due to enhanced security measures, including coordinated naval patrols, improved surveillance technology, and international cooperation. (police coast guard and the MPA... do people want to be pirates these days?) However, Singapore's strategic location still requires ongoing vigilance and security efforts to manage piracy-related risks.

some questions not addressed? Which questions are the responses for?