Ex-residents' memories of Ubin captured in book

Ubin residents, past and present (clockwise from left): Ms Chen Xiuzhen, 80, daughter-in-law of former village chief Lin Zaiyou; Mr Lai Bi Chong, 79, former school teacher; Mr Huang Jinshui, 80, former quarry manager; Mr Chu Yok Choon, 74, present-day vil
Ubin residents, past and present (clockwise from left): Ms Chen Xiuzhen, 80, daughter-in-law of former village chief Lin Zaiyou; Mr Lai Bi Chong, 79, former school teacher; Mr Huang Jinshui, 80, former quarry manager; Mr Chu Yok Choon, 74, present-day village chief; Mr Anthony Ng, 55, book publisher and not a resident; Mr Siau Sun King, 71, older brother of book author Seow Soon Hee; Mr Kek Yak Kwai, 81, former school principal; and book author Seow Soon Hee, 68. ST PHOTO: JASMINE CHOONG
A school assembly led by Mr Kek Yak Kwai at Bin Kiang School during the 1960s.
A school assembly led by Mr Kek Yak Kwai at Bin Kiang School during the 1960s. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF OUR HEART AND SOUL, SEOW SOON HEE
Quarry workers prepare for rock-blasting on the island - the material was used to build flats and roads on the mainland.
Quarry workers prepare for rock-blasting on the island - the material was used to build flats and roads on the mainland. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF OUR HEART AND SOUL, SEOW SOON HEE
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Pulau Ubin is underutilised, some of its former residents say.

They believe the 10.2 sq km island, home to 4,000 villagers and quarry workers in the 1960s and 1970s, could be a site for pig farming, sustainable vegetable plantations as well as fish and prawn breeding.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 01, 2019, with the headline Ex-residents' memories of Ubin captured in book. Subscribe