Merdeka Generation: He quit football to sail the high seas

While the pioneer leaders were the architects of Singapore, everyday heroes helped build society here. This is another story of the Merdeka Generation, those born in the 1950s who lived and persevered through a tumultuous period.

After a decade out at sea, Mr Rosli joined Jurong Shipyard (above) as a dockmaster for two years, before joining Singapore Polytechnic as a nautical studies lecturer. ST FILE PHOTO Mr Rosli Ridzwan with a model of the M.V. Anchises, a general cargo s
Mr Rosli Ridzwan with a model of the M.V. Anchises, a general cargo ship. He sailed in a similar ship in his younger days. He started at age 16 as a passenger ship steward boy and worked his way up to ship captain and, over the years, has faced his share of nightmarish weather conditions and pirate attacks. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Rahimah Rashith
Updated
Jun 05, 2019, 06:59 AM
Published
Jun 05, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Land or sea? This was a choice Mr Rosli Ridzwan, now 66, had to make in his younger days.

Growing up in Arab Street, he had aspired to be a great footballer like the late Dollah Kassim.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 05, 2019, with the headline Merdeka Generation: He quit football to sail the high seas. Subscribe

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