MY TRAVEL : REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

Hj Zulheimy Maamor : 9 March 2024

1981/82 : MALAYSIAN NAVAL BASE AT WOODLANDS

I love to travel; it gives me the greatest feeling of freedom ever. When we travel, we get to see other people, their culture, and traditions that we know nothing about. Memories are made when we travel and last a lifetime.

Singapore left many sweet memories for me. I served with the Royal Malaysian Navy (1980-1996), and I was first assigned to a ship based in Woodlands, Singapore in 1981. Besides, I have my aunt who lives in Clementi Avenue, Singapore.

The Naval Base at Woodlands, Singapore served as the first headquarters of the Royal Malaysian Navy from 1952 until 9 September 1984, when the HQ was relocated to its new base at Lumut, Perak.

The Woodlands Naval Base was constructed between 1928 and 1938. In 1934, the British Administration in Malaya began to establish the Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve( SSNVR).

For more details you can refer to :

Wikipedia : RMN Woodlands Naval Base

SINGAPORE ADMIRALTY WEST PRISON

When in Woodlands, Singapore, I had served with 2 ships and 1 base:

1. KD GANAS : 1st Squadron Fast Attack Craft (Missile) - (3.2.1981 - 27.7.1981)

2. KD RAJA JAROM : 32nd Sealift Squadron - (28.7.1981-28.6.1982)

3. FLEET OPERATIONAL COMMAND RMN COMMUNICATION CONTIGENTCY SYSTEM (FOCRMNCCS) - 28.6.1982-1.8.1982)

IN MEMORY - MALAYSIAN BASE JETTY, WOODLANDS, SINGAPORE

The former Malaysian Base Jetty (MBJ) was built in early 1950s. Before it was built the Royal Malaysian Navy another structure nearby called Ruthenia Jetty which was built by the British before World War II.

Today, the former MBJ was part of the Woodlands Waterfront Park which was opened in 2011. The jetty is a popular recreational and fishing spot for Woodlands’ residents and offers spectacular views of the Causeway and the Johor Strait.

IN MEMORY:

TG. PAGAR RAILWAY STATION

Tanjung Pagar Railway Station > a former Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) railway station located at 30, Keppel Road in Singapore.

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station was completed in 1932 and was officially opened by Sir Cecil Clementi Smith .

It was around 79 years before it ceased operations on1 July 2011 to be reserved as Singapore Railway Museum. This station will always be dear to me as I have many fond memories of the station that was in the early 1980s. As I was stationed at Woodlands, Singapore from 1981-1982, I made numerous trips from Tg Pagar Railway Station to Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, journey that would forever be etched in my memories.

BUKIT TIMAH RAILWAY STATION

Bukit Timah Railway Station > a former Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) railway station. Opened in 1903, it was built on the current Singapore-Johor Bahru KTM intercity mainline in 1932. The Station was closed in 2011, and is now conserved recreational building and museum that is part of the Rail corridor.

1981-82: SUNGAI ROAD

Sungai Road means "River Road". From the 1930s to the 1980s, the road was synonymous with the Thieves Market, a vibrant local flea market. It was the largest and oldest flea market in Singapore during that time. The market was permanently closed on July 10, 2017. I used to shop here frequently when I was working in Singapore in the early 1980s.

CLEMENTI AVENUE

The town borders Bukit Batok to the north, Bukit Timah to the northeast, Queenstown to the east and Jurong East to the west.

Clementi is named after Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, the first British High Commissioner in the Straits Settlement.

I used to go to Clementi Avenue because my late aunt lived there. She was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2006. The last time I saw her was in 2005. Her husband died in 2023. The one living in their house now is my cousin.