Memories of living in a kampung in new children's book
Growing up in a kampung, former Senior Minister of State Sidek Saniff sold kuih to neighbours, stood in line to use communal toilets and collected water from a shared pipe, which he carried home in two tin containers on a pole balanced on his shoulders.
These memories have been recounted in his new illustrated bilingual children's book, Anak Kampung Bernama Sidek (A Kampung Boy Named Sidek). It was launched yesterday at Wisma Geylang Serai, with President Halimah Yacob as guest of honour.
Mr Sidek, now 80, had been a Member of Parliament since 1976 and was Senior Minister of State for Education and Environment when he stepped down in 2001.
Earlier this year, he published a bilingual memoir, Sidek Saniff: Life Reflections At Eighty, which documented his journey from protester to politician. Anak Kampung Bernama Sidek is his fifth book.
Mr Sidek grew up in Kampung Radin Mas, a Malay village whose beginnings trace back to 1880s.
It was demolished in 1973 for new development.
"It's very important for children these days to understand how lucky they are and how different life was back then in the kampung," said Mr Sidek, who has 12 grandchildren.
"The book also places emphasis on values such as honesty, diligence and never giving up."
Supported by the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism, the book is written in both English and Malay. It also used a dyslexic friendly font.
Published by local publishing house Opus, the book costs $18 inclusive of GST and can be purchased at all major bookstores from next month.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
