Singapore's oldest retired prison officer dies at 101

Sarpon Muradi ended 30-year career as Changi Prison's acting chief in 1970

Acting Superintendent Sarpon wore sunglasses on his retirement day at Changi Prison in 1970 so no one could see his tears. Madam Norhaya Sarpon, 62, and Mr Sobahri Sarpon, 73, reminiscing with photos and stories of their late father, Mr Sarpon Muradi
Madam Norhaya Sarpon, 62, and Mr Sobahri Sarpon, 73, reminiscing with photos and stories of their late father, Mr Sarpon Muradi, last Friday at Madam Norhaya's Siglap home. Mr Sarpon, who died on Jan 6, had progressed up the ranks at Changi Prison in a ground-breaking feat for a local back then. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Acting Superintendent Sarpon wore sunglasses on his retirement day at Changi Prison in 1970 so no one could see his tears. Madam Norhaya Sarpon, 62, and Mr Sobahri Sarpon, 73, reminiscing with photos and stories of their late father, Mr Sarpon Muradi
Acting Superintendent Sarpon wore sunglasses on his retirement day at Changi Prison in 1970 so no one could see his tears. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SARPON FAMILY
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Singapore's oldest retired prison officer died last week, aged 101.

Mr Sarpon Muradi capped his 30-year prison career as acting chief of Changi Prison in 1970, a ground-breaking feat for a local who joined at the bottom rank in British-governed Singapore in 1939, survived the Japanese Occupation and was part of a rare squad that escorted convicted Japanese soldiers back to serve their jail terms in Japan.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 15, 2020, with the headline Singapore's oldest retired prison officer dies at 101. Subscribe