My Story

Hello again everyone,

Got some messages about where the f%*k did I went missing to the past few months. Well I was uneasy with some weird things that happened around me. That made me feel I was being watch by Big Brother. So I decided to keep low profile for awhile.

Then why am I blogging again now? Well it had to do my trip to Tanjong Pagar station on June 30th. It was the final day of service for KTM trains at the station.

Being there reminded me of the stories my mom used to tell about our family's early struggle. The train travels from South(SG or JB)to KL or vice versa were featured in many of our family's toughest moment.

Those long trips were interesting and tough for young families back then. For those families that were poor like us, third class tickets were only what we could afford.

A typical trip starts with my father going up the train with the luggages to scramble for seats(霸位)while the rest of us waited on the platform. After he found the seats, he would then yelled out from the window so that my mom would know which train coaches to board.

After the whole family had boarded, the long journey on non-reclining seats in non air-cond coaches began. When my parents need to put me(a baby back then) to sleep, my father would then mount the sarong and its spring onto the coach luggage rack above our seats. Though we had to use baby napkins(no Pampers or Mommy Poko for us), my mom tell us now how fortunate she was that my brother and I did not gave her much problem on those train journey.

Well as I rework my memories while lingering around on the historic day last week, it suddenly dawned to me that it was actually the first time I had been into Tanjong Pagar station in my life. My brother had boarded trains at Tanjong Pagar but not me. All those train trips that I've been in was actuallly arriving and departing from JB.

As the pieces of memories fell into place, I felt I needed to blog about how all this came about. To explain I need to go back to where it all started.

My father left Pahang in the late 1960s and came down to Singapore. Like many Malaysian youths that time, he became construction worker. It was the time when big tall buildings started to boom all over what we called CBD now. Later in the 1970s he married my mom who was a Singaporean and then came my brother.

The dramatic turn of events came when I was born. Two weeks after I was born, Singapore government discovered that my father was staying/working in Singapore without a work permit(something not uncommon back then). The government officers gave my father less than 48 hours to leave Singapore or risk being deported or maybe even jail.

And so my father left Singapore the next evening after dinner with a heavy heart. He rented a bed in JB motel for the next few weeks while trying to figure out how to get out of this mess . Not only was my mom was numb on what to do next. She was also fearful as she had no clear idea what the laws were. Whether whe had broken any of  the laws and what Singapore government would do to her.

Most Singaporeans those days had first hand experience of what Lee Kuan Yew was capable of and had good reasons to be fearful. My mom was one of them. And that explained why she went along with being sterilized after my birth. Not many lowly educated poor couple dared to stand in the way of Lee Kuan Yew's quasi eugenics steam train (with preferential coaches for graduate talents).

Out of fear, she quickly terminated our rental flat at HDB. Realizing that there was no way she is going to cope with a newborn plus a toddler by herself (also without any income), she had to leave Singapore for now.

A few weeks later with the help of my father's Ipoh friend, my mom brought my brother and I to reunite with my father who was waiting for us in JB. On the night of that very same day, our family departed from JB to KL and later to Pahang. So my first time on a KTM train was from JB. (And somehow in all the years that passed later, I did not had the privilege of being in Tanjong Pagar station even once).

But our family problem did not end there. My mom was really suffering in Pahang. It was a combination of adapting to a rubber tapping backwaters environment and also my difficult to get along with grandmother.

She had written letters to her family in Singapore. Sensing something was not right, my maternal grandfather asked my mom's cousin to help out. And so this cousin and her husband travelled all the way from Singapore to Pahang to visit my mom. Upon returning to Singapore, my mom's cousin related how my mom lost a lot of weight and was very distressed.

My mom's elder brother knew he had to do something. And on his next business trip to KL, he visited my mom in Pahang. Before he left, he gave my mom some money and a note (with the hotel address he was staying in Bukit Bintang). He told my mom that he will be in KL for the next few days. And if she really could not cope anymore, just use the money and look for him in KL.

The next day, my mom knew she could not take it anymore and had to leave us behind, however painful it was going to be. While my brother and I was napping, she left for KL and then back to Singapore with my uncle on the KTM train again.

A few weeks later, my father made the brave decision to reunite the family again. It is something that I truly respect him for. He packed the bags, carried me(less than a year old) in one hand while holding my brother's hand with the other and went downsouth on the KTM train again.

Again this time we got off at JB as my father was still barred from entering Singapore. My father phoned my mom. Upon hearing we were in JB, my mom rushed over to meet us. My brother and I followed our mom back to Singapore for while my father tried to find work in JB.

Afterward my mom worked as a waitress somewhere near Hill Street. An old childless couple help took care of me while my mom was at work. My mom often tells me how this couple really doted on me. Although I don't remember them, I am very grateful for what they did. My brother was sent to my aunties place. My mom will visit him during her off days and he would cry profusely everytime my mother had to leave.

Meanwhile, my mom's elder brother appealed to Singapore government to get my father off the blacklist. After many months, he finally managed to do it. My father could enter Singapore again and even work (provided with a valid work permit of course).

But he refused to stay and work Singapore again. Rightly or wrongly, he hates Lee Kuan Yew for what had happened to us when I was born. Of course you may argue that Singapore government was very lenient and could have slap a fine or jail term against my father.

But to my father although we were poor, we were not welfare bums taking free lunch from Singaporeans. Singapore government could have afforded some grace and flexibility to let my father some make arrangement for my motherand us. But the way it left my mother(who was still in confinement) in a lurch with a newborn plus a toddler was simpy ruthless.

So my father would rather eaked it out in JB where he had no job and no friends at that time than to go back to Singapore. About a year later my father had a job and found a place for us to start anew. And so my mom and us kids moved to JB and settled here ever since.

Going through the past made me contemplate on keeping my low profile recently. Why am I so afraid of incurring wrath from Singapore government?Yes there are rules against documenting of activities at immigration checkpoints? But I am not a threat to national security. Hey I am just blogging about the unrecorded struggles of thousands Malaysians who contributes to Singapore prosperity.

I may not have stories as dramatic as mediacorp serials . But I do feel that my struggles with fellow kaki tambaks do tell a meaningful human side of things. Something I feel that should be passed on.

I've exposed quite a bit of myself today and it may come back to my detriment. But I have taken the decision not to stay quiet. If I ever get kicked out of Singapore for blogging, then be it. At least it was my choice.

I am back and hope to post regularly again.

Kaki Tambaks Who Protects Singapore

Malaysians used to dominate the non-executive or blue collar level in the manufacturing, construction, shipyard, logistic, F&B and retail sectors. In the last 5 years however, their positions have been seriously under threat by Indian nationals and even more so by Chinese nationals (sometimes called Chinerians).

The security guard and auxiliary police sectors in Singapore are maybe the only area where Malaysians still have some foothold. Well maybe, for the upper spectrum only. In the security sectors, Malaysians are employed for their trustworthiness and English communication ability. Since many Malaysian Indians can communicate very well in English, they are widely employed as security guards in major hotels and buildings.

For the lower spectrum of the security guard industry - most of them are Thais, Burmese or financially challenged Singaporeans. Malaysian wages are too high at this level.

One month ago, I met a lady kaki tambak who actually lives in a taman next to mine. She is working as a security guard in downtown Singapore. After she related her daily struggles working in Singapore to me, I totally take my hat off for her.

To get to work she would tumpang van kilang from her home at 4:30am. Upon reaching Singapore at 6am , she would take other mode of transport downtown.

She then works dayshift from 8am to 8pm. After clocking out at 8pm, she would walk 10mins City Hall and then take MRT to Jurong East. She would reach Jurong East around 9pm, where she would then take bus CW3 home. If things go smoothly, she would probably reach home around 10.30pm.

She barely have enough time to sleep at home, before starting a new day at 4am. Sleeping during the journey to work would also be very difficult for her, because she has to keep on switching between buses, trains and walking.

I forgot to ask how many days she works per week. But the norm for security guards is 1 day off for every 2 weeks of work. There are lucky ones who work only 6 days per week.

Some may draw comparison of her plight with kaki tambak factory operators. But her situation is noticeably different in certain areas. Though her work is not as fast paced as those in factories, the traveling for factory operators are easier compare to hers.

In conclusion it is her daily traveling that arduously stands out than most of the kaki tambaks I know. Not even a tough nut kaki tambak like me can match her efforts in this area.

Sad to say, I have not bumped into her for the past 2 weeks. The last time I saw her, she was very tired. Not sure whether her exertion has finally taken a toll.

Regards,

Kaki Tambak

Note : CW3 is a JB-Singapore bus service that uses the 2nd link instead of the old causeway. It serves between Jurong East and JB(Gelang Patah, Bukit Indah and Tun Aminah).

Ah Long! Ah Long! Everywhere

Many Malaysians become kaki tambaks to pay off Ah Long debts(either theirs or their family). Many kakitambak although earning SingDollar still fall into the loan shark strangle. Any visitors to JB in recent years, would marvel at the vibrant campaign of loan shark advertising here. Ah Long banners are so widespread to the extent of JB could possibly occupy the No 1 ranking city in this area.We may not beat KL or Penang, in terms of technological or scholarly achievements. But by the look on our street, JB could realistically come out tops in loan shark advertising. The loan sharks in JB is pretty invincible. A friend's friend who failed to pay his debt was beaten up by Ah Long. When he lodges a report at the police station, someone(possibly an officer) remarked that it would be a pity these runners will be caught and convicted to a few years jail for merely doing their job. It would ruined their future and create more social problem. The Ah Long sympathizer probably meant that a lot of Chinese Sabahan youths are working as runner for JB Ah Long bosses. Anyone who has been to Sabah will probably know that the wages there are quite low and basic stuff (like Milo, newspapers, cars etc) are more expensive over there. To sum it up BN government(federal and state) has screwed Sabah big time. Part of the prosperity that penisular Malaysia enjoyed are really from by plundering Sabah and Sarawak resources; making their lives difficult. So it is some sort of retribution really to see these Sabahan youths coming over to JB, harassing and beating up people all over our town. Thrashing our streets with colourful Ah Long banners. However rampant as the Ah Long syndicate presence are, no one has heard of any Ah Long or their runners convicted in JB. I am not saying there aren't, only that neither the people I know nor myself aren't aware of any. While we wait for some strong action from PDRM, some scenic advertising for you guys to enjoy: Typical Ah Long's morning toolbox meeting, at all major JB kopitiams. Complimentary Ah Long name cards cum calendar delivered to to your doorstep twice weekly. Come in XL sizes too. This way to your nearest Ah Long. A friendly reminder of Ah Longs' number at the payphone. Ah Long Stickers on rain gutters. Cap mohor (rubber stamping) on shophouses wall .

Spray painted as per JKR requirements

Ah Long banners at major street signboard.

At least they never covered up the no. '3' , so that people won't get lost. Making TNB more colourful?

Tambak Johor : Money Carriers

The recent Singapore’s Distinguished Service Order awarded to our IGP Musa Hassan for his “outstanding contribution in fostering excellent ties and cooperation” between the Malaysian police and the republic’s police force. It got me thinking what actually how does PDRM plays a part in cross-strait relationships. Somehow it only reminded me of rumours that had been circulating around JB for quite sometime. Its like already part of JB mythical folklore that no one can or is willing to verify. Before I begin, I iterate my stand of not dismissing this rumour as dongeng punya cerita(fairy tale) or justifying it as the truth. As I have no contacts in PDRM inner circle, there is no way I can verify the truth or falsity of such rumours. Rumour has it that, there are these runners who crosses the causeway to Singapore carrying certain corrupt PDRM officers dirty money. Once in SG, these runners will help deposit the monies them into the officers or the officers' families account. Based on hearsay, these runners may carriy around RM50k to RM150k per trip (not sure whether in RM or SGD). It is also rumoured that these runners are your normal looking Chinese uncle and that they enjoyed quite a comfortable living from their professions. In 2007, Singapore government imposed a mandatory declaration for those entering and leaving Singapore with more than SGD30k in cash. However this is not a restriction on the cash amount that you can carry into Singapore. So one can actually carry SGD 1million into Singapore, provided you declare it to SG government that it is for a legitimate purpose. Not sure whether the the above ruling affects these so called rumoured money carriers. They can probably carry a smaller amount and make more trip. Or they could use better ways to avoid detection at checkpoints. If these money carriers exists then I assume they too can regarded as kaki tambak (people who crosses the causeway on a regular basis for work). Albeit a very shadowy type. Most kaki tambaks will probably close one eye to these rumoured money carrier. If these money carriers existence are proven true, then the morale of us normal kaki tambak will take a bit hit. Imagined all our hard eanred SingDollar that we fight daily to bring back, being siphoned back to Singapore just like that. It is already quite sad thinking of this possibility let alone proving it. Regards, Kaki Tambak

Armed robbery at my neighbours

My neighbour got robbed tonight. Well this is the second armed robbery on the same street as mine. The modus operandi are the same. Basically the robbers tail their victims(so happens that both are female) to their home. Once the victims enter their car porch, one robber will smash the windscreen and for this case grab the victim's handbag. Another will standby at their getaway vehicle. The whole process takes around 30-45seconds. By the time me and my father unlock our door plus main gate and rush out(with our cangkuls), the robbers had already sped off. Our neighbour was pretty shaken but was not hurt. The police came around 5 mins later. They said there is only 1 patrol car for our Taman (population more than 10000 people). They can only be at one place at at a time. Cannot cover all the areas. I replied 'Of course lah, all the police go to KL or at highway arresting Anti-ISA protesters'. Anyway since we cannot really depend on the police to protect us, here are some points that you may find useful: 1) Try not to panic (easier said than done, but at least try lah) 2) Do not put valuables (handbags, handpnones, laptop, passport etc) inside your car where it can be easily visible and taken. 3)Try lookout for anyone who might be following your car. 4)If you are followed - stay in your car and keep your doors locked. Do not go into your car porch and stay in the main road so that you are visible to your neighbours. Sound your horn before the robbers get near to your car and wait for help. 5)In any case do not attempt to scuffle with the robbers. Most of them are armed with parangs. 6)If they try to get into your car, you must try to drive away. In a worst case scenario ram your into someone else car or whatever to get attention of others. Regards and take care, Kaki Tambak

Tambak Rider

Just came up with a new term 'Tambak Rider' referring specifically to kaki tambaks who cross the causeways on motorcycles or bicycles.

Bus Captains of No. 170,160 and 950

Among the lesser known kaki tambak are the cross border bus captains of SBS Transit and SMRT Bus Service. They drive bus no 170,170x,160 and 950. As for CausewayLink(Malaysian cross-border bus operators), I will write about it in some other post. In Singapore bus driver are rebranded as bus captains to attract more Singaporean joining SBS and SMRT as drivers. But these two companies are finding it hard to attract Singaporean candidates. At the moment, at least half of SBS and SMRT bus captains are Malaysians. And the cross border routes which is the most arduous, almost all drivers are tambak riders. From my chat with some of them, these bus drivers either start work very early or end their work very late. For morning shift would be: a)Leave JB home at 4.00am and ride motorbikie to SG b)Reach SBS Bus Depot(Bukit Batok if I remember correctly) at around 4.45am to pick up their busses c)Then they need to reach Quenn Street or Kotaraya/Larkin by 5.30am For night shift it is something like: a)End of bus service at midnight b)Reach bus depot at 12.30am, proceed to wash and clean up the bus. c)Handover the bus at 1.15am, ride their motorbike back to JB. d)Reach home around 2am. Because of such odd hours, one of my mother friend's husband who drives 170 always relate how he fears being ambushed by motorcycles gang. Because these gangs not only rob but will definitely give you a good beating or might even kill you. Another of my mother friends relates how her husband suffering from hypertension dare not make medical claim anymore. He rather pay out of his own pocket instead of being singled out by his employer; thereby risking his work permit renewal. Due to the massive causeway jams, they are under great stress physically and mentally. Being stuck sometimes in the bus for 3 hours or more, they sometimes don't get to drink water or go to toilet like drivers of normal routes do. And you know lah with the SG culture, they also have to deal with complains on their punctuality,bus cleanliness etc. So fellow kaki tambaks, next time when you are on 170,160,950 or SJE . At least say thanks or give them these drivers a warm smile for our bus heroes to take home.

Can ride bicycle from JB to Singapore meh? (Part 2)

Map of route from Bukit Chagar CIQ to Woodlands Short explanation of the route used by kaki tambak on bicycles:

Park their car/motorcycles around Kim Teng Park and Jln Lumba Kuda

Ride their bicycle across the causeway and pass through both Checkpoints

Lock their bicycle at Woodlands Central

Coming back to JB is the reverse of above process

Jiak Lat! A kaki tambak pushing his broken down motorbike uphill. Reaching the 1st highest point. The 2nd highest point which is the new CIQ itself. The two highest point of this roller coaster route to the new CIQ are about 20 meters(5 storey high) above causeway. After the forceful opening of Bukit Chagar CIQ, kaki tambaks have to ride uphill and downhill on the extra roller coaster route(mark in red). And on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, you will also see loads of kaki tambak walking from Woodlands Central to Bukit Chagar CIQ.

Malaysia, a very cheap place to live?

Case Study 1: Rechargeble AA batteries at a French Hypermarket located in Singapore City Center. The same Rechargeble AA batteries at French Hypermarket counterpart in JB. Price comparison: Malaysian Price = RM89.90 Singapore Price = SGD28.90 X 2.37 = RM68.49 Price Differrence = RM21.41 Percentage Difference = (21.41/68.49) X 100% = 31.26% Business Cost Comparison : 1) The batteries are made in China. Batteries cost should be the same. 2) Hypermarket wages: Malaysia (RM4/hour) and Singapore (SGD4/hour). Malaysian labour cost should be lower. 3) Rental of Premise: Overall, Malaysian rental cost should be lower. Malaysian Hypermarket location - JB residential area (15km from JB town). Singapore Hypermarket location - Prime retail space in one of Asia most expensive business district. The basic cost of doing business is lower in JB. But the same AA batteries are a whoping 31% more expensive in JB than Singapore. Most people jump to the conclusion that electronic stuff are just cheaper in Singapore. That is a very flawed view. The answer lies not with the Singaporean. For them its just a straighforward trading business. Be it batteries, mp3 players, LCD TV or even oranges - it is still just the business of buying and and selling basic stuff. The real question is why are things in Malaysia more expensive than they actually are? Or more specifically where are the hidden cost? Are AA batteries luxury items? Do they require Approve Permit for importing? What are duties imposed? Are the logistics and transportation cost too high? A lot more of our basic goods are unreasonable more expensive than they should be. Barisan Nasional has really screwed up the Malaysian economy big time. Hundreds of thousands flock to work in Singapore not just because of the strong Sing Dollar only. It is just that many could barely afford the basic things in their daily lives.