Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society/Volume 10/Landing of Raffles in Singapore
LANDING OF RAFFLES IN SINGAPORE.
By An Eye-Witness.
The following account of the first landing of Sir Stamford Raffles in Singapore may not be without interest to the readers of this Journal for two reasons: first as being the statement of one who is now probably the only survivor of those present on the occasion, and who is certainly the oldest inhabitant of the island who was himself an eye-witness of the proceedings; and, secondly, as going to prove how unreliable is the detailed account, given in the "Hikâiat Abdullah," from what Abdullah was told a few months afterwards. The short summary in Mr. John Cameron's work is apparently much more correct. It is a pity that no authoritative record exists of all the circumstances attending Singapore's foundation, in Sir Stamford Raffles' Life or elsewhere. That given in the Journal of Eastern Asia (1875) is obviously incorrect.
Wa Hakim, now residing in Tĕluk Saga, of the Kĕlâmang tribe of "Orang laut," was, according to his own account, about fifteen years old when Sir Stamford Raffles landed, so he must be about eighty years old at the present time. He is still an intelligent old man. His statement is as follows:—"At the time when Tuan Raffles came, there were under one hundred small houses and huts at the mouth of the river [Singapore]; but the Raja's house was the only large one, and it stood back from the river, between the sea and the river, near the obelisk. About thirty families of 'Orang laut' also lived in boats (dia punya rumah ada prahu) a little way up the Singapore river at the wide part (laut ofis). About half the 'Orang laut' lived ashore and half in boats. My sister still lives in a boat there, and has never lived asbore. The place where the 'Orang Laut' lived was called Kampong Témĕnggong, and it faced the river. There were a few Malays who lived near, their huts facing the sea. Our boat lay where the Master Attendant's Office now is. I myself was born in the Singapore waters, and this settlement of Malays and 'Orang laut' was in existence in my earliest recollection. [Crawfurd says it was first made in 1811, and Wa Hakim's recollection confirms this statement.] Tuan Raffles came in the Barque Stone (?). She was a kapal dua tiang sa-tĕngah. The men that lived in boats were the first to see Tuan Raffles coming. I remember the boat landing in the morning. There were two white men and a Sepoy in it. When they landed, they went straight to the Těměnggong's house. Tuan Raffles was there, he was a short man. I knew his appearance [i.e., subsequently]. Tuan Farquhar was there; he was taller than Tuan Raffles and he wore a helmet. (?) The Sepoy carried a musket. They were entertained by the Těměnggong and he gave them rambutans and all kinds of fruit. I together with the Malays and 'Orang laut' followed them to the edge of the verandah. Tuan Raffles went into the centre of the house. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, they came out and went on board again. About twelve days afterwards, they pitched their tents and brought guns, &c. on shore. Batin Sapi, an Orang laut, went to bring Tunku Long from Bulang. I think he was four days away. Batin Sapi came back first and then Tunku Long came. The English had been some days ashore, and had made atap-houses, when Batin Sapi went to fetch Tunku Long. When Tunku LONG came, Tuan Raffles was living ashore, in an atap-house. They had a discussion first in the Tĕmĕnggong's house and afterwards in Tuan Raffles' house in Padang Senar. At that time the plain was covered with kĕmunting and sikedudok bushes. I myself helped to cut them down and assisted in making the fort (kubu) and digging a trench between Tuan Raffles' house and the sea. At that time there were some jambu trees, as at present, towards Beach Road, and some near the Tĕmĕnggong's house. These are the only trees I remember close by there. There were no houses in the island except at Kampong Tĕmĕnggong. The first huts on the shores of New Harbour were built under Bukit Chermin, shortly after Raffles came. Kampong Glam was then called Sěduyong by the 'Orang Laut.'"