Singapore, 22 December 2017 – The National Parks Board and ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS) today marked the start of the first in-depth archaeological surveys on Pulau Ubin beginning with World War II historical artefacts.Spanning a period of 18 months from December 2017, the surveys will document and study in detail the archaeological and historical remains at selected sites on Pulau Ubin.As an initiative of The Ubin Project, these surveys will complement ongoing cultural heritage and biodiversity research on the island. The findings of ISEAS will add to information about Ubin’s cultural heritage, serving as a guide for NParks to develop management strategies for these areas to conserve the island’s heritage.
The start of the surveys was witnessed by Second Minister for National Development and Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr Desmond Lee who visited the World War II gun emplacement of the Ubin Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat (AMTB) battery which is located within Camp Resilience (National Police Cadet Corps Campsite) today.
Part of Pulau Ubin’s rustic charm lies in the island’s rich cultural heritage. However, much is still unknown about the island’s history despite there being a number of abandoned historical sites dating to the 1800s.The findings from these archaeological surveys led by Lim Chen Sian, Associate Fellow of ISEAS, will shed light on Singapore’s trade, economic and military history, which will in turn contribute to archaeological and historic research of Singapore and the region. In addition, the information will also be incorporated into educational posters and presentations as part of efforts to strengthen awareness about Pulau Ubin’s cultural and natural heritage.
The surveys will be split into three phases, with the initial phase to be carried out at the No 2. gun emplacement site. The fieldwork for this research will entail transect surveys to identify, map and record heritage features as well as basic sampling such as surface collections. Subsurface probes may also be utilised to conduct analysis in areas where there
is a high probability of buried archaeological remains. Depending on the findings from the first phase, subsequent archaeological surveys by ISEAS may be conducted at the same areas or at the western part of Pulau Ubin.
Media Release: In-depth Archaeological Survey Begins on Pulau Ubin at World War II Site
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute organised the Conference on Malaysian Elections: The Outlook for GE14 on 13 December 2017. The conference discussed contexts, trends and prelimary findings regarding the country’s electorate, political parties and coalitions, drawing on information from a range of sources, such as key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and statistical analysis.
DETIK’s year-ender – Sekilas 2017 is a three-part roundup for 2017 (Singapore, Regional and Global) broadcasted on Suria every Wednesday from 6 to 20 December 2017.
Featuring the following ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute researchers:-
1. Dr Lee Hwok-Aun, Senior Fellow, Malaysia Studies Programme
2. Dr Norshahril Saat, Fellow, Regional Strategic & Political Studies Programme
3. Mr Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Visiting Senior Fellow, Malaysia Studies Programme
4. Dr Charlotte Setijadi, Visiting Fellow, Indonesia Studies Programme
5. Dr Deasy Simandjuntak, Visiting Fellow, Indonesia Studies Programme
The article was published by Nikkei Asian Review on 13 December 2017.
Ms Kathleen Azali was Research Officer at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. The comments quoted are from ISEAS Perspective 2017/70 Indonesia’s Divided Digital Economy.