SINGAPORE: A Malay netizen has turned to social media to question whether The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre is attempting to overly emphasize the Chinese aspects of Singapore’s history.

This critique centres on the identification of several historical inaccuracies within a dance-drama production.

The netizen, who goes by the name Fikrah Siyasah on Facebook, raised concerns about a dance-drama production titled “Whispers From The Dragon’s Teeth Gate,” commissioned by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC).

Upon checking the SCCC official website, the dance-drama, performed on April 20, 2019, claimed to “rediscover the enthralling tale of Singapore’s transformation from an island of immigrants to a nation forged by our multi-ethnic cultures”.

“Over four acts, the performance brings the audience on a journey 700 years back in time – from the legendary voyage of Sang Nila Utama and the discovery of the Dragon’s Teeth Gate, to the progress of Temasek as it transforms into the metropolitan city known as Singapore as today. ”

The production also boasts an ensemble of international experts across various fields, including Singaporean historian Mr Kua Bak Lim (柯木林), Cultural Medallion and Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award recipient and playwright Mr Han Lao Da (韩劳达), esteemed Indonesian choreographer Didik Nini Thowok, and Peranakan costume designer Raymond Wong.

Did Sang Nila Utama witness a Chinese Lion Dance in Temasek?

In a recent Facebook post, Fikrah Siyasah voiced his critique of the dance-drama production, highlighting numerous historical inaccuracies in its portrayal of the origin of the name Singapura.

This includes the assertion that the name Singapura originated from Sang Nila Utama, the legendary founder of Singapore, witnessing a Chinese Lion dance in Temasek.

Moreover, in an article provided by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) to a local media outlet, Smart Local Singapore, in 2019 to introduce the drama, the article also claimed that historians are attributing the origin to Sang Nila Utama’s sighting of a Chinese traditional lion dance.

Mr. Siyasah remarked, “They claimed that this silly idea, which has no historical basis, is now getting acceptance from historians.”

He further pointed out that the article asserted that Singapore’s original name was not Temasek but rather the decidedly Chinese name Long Ya Men (龙牙门) or Dragon Teeth Gate.

In his post, Mr Siyasah said the name Long Ya Men was derived from a Chinese traveller’s account of his 14th-century visit to the island.

Wang Da Yuan (汪大渊) indeed referenced the Dragon Teeth Gate, which is, in reality, Batu Belayar.

However, Mr Siyasah contended that Wang did not refer to the entire island as Long Ya Men.

Instead, Wang referred to the island as Tanmaxi (淡马锡) – Temasek.

“The gate he referred to was just an area within Temasek. It was not the original name for Temasek.”

The netizen challenging efforts to rewrite Singapore’s history with a Chinese focus

Mr Siyasah criticized the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s apparent intent to establish the idea that Singapore once had a Chinese name.

He pointed out that there were other names that predated Temasek. Arab travellers in the 9th century, which was 400 years before Wang Da Yuan’s visit, referred to the island as Mayt.

Mayt served as a hub for international shipping, with ships from the Malay archipelago, China, India, and the Middle East making stops in Mayt (Singapore) to exchange goods.

Coincidentally, there is a theory suggesting that Sentosa’s former name, Pulau Blakang Mati, was a reference to the name Mayt used for Singapore, as Sentosa lies to the north of Mayt.

There is also a belief that 800 years before it was known as Mayt, Singapore was known as Sabara. Sabara, which is at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula, was also known as a centre for international trade.

“Singapore’s international shipping and trading history is not new. Its status for international trade did not begin with Raffles. And it definitely was not due to Lee Kuan Yew or his group of colonial settlers.”

He strongly condemned the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s efforts to reshape Singapore’s history with a predominant Chinese perspective, characterizing it as “regrettable.”

Furthermore, Mr Siyasah highlighted that the Sinification of Singapore’s history is not an isolated incident but has been occurring over an extended period.

Challenging the ruling party’s historical narrative

In another Facebook post on 13 September, Mr Siyasah also took issue with the Singapore ruling party’s historical narrative to “downplay Malay native history” and present Singapore as a nation of migrants from various ethnic backgrounds.

Fikrah Siyasah mentions that, despite Singapore’s constitution recognizing Malays as the indigenous people of the country, PAP leaders and Chinese elites often referred to Singapore as a nation of migrants, arguing that there was no native, indigenous culture.

This erasure of Malay native history was further perpetuated by a documentary produced with support from the Singapore government during the SG50 celebration, which suggested that Sang Nila Utama named the city “Singapura” or “Lion City” after witnessing a Chinese lion dance performance.

He criticizes this narrative as an attempt to embed Singapore with Chinese history and notes that it has gained traction within the Chinese community.

Readers can view the complete recorded performance of the dance-drama “Whispers From The Dragon’s Teeth Gate,” which Mr Siyasah criticized in his remarks.

Singapore ranked second most influenced by China in the world

According to the China Index 2022 by Taiwan-based research outfit Doublethink Lab, Singapore has ranked second globally, preceded by Cambodia and followed by Thailand, in terms of China’s growing influence on countries.

The study revealed that Singapore is particularly vulnerable to Beijing’s influence in areas such as technology, society, and academia, although it is less affected in terms of domestic politics.

ITALY: Clarese Partis, a 39-year-old software designer hailing from Los Angeles, has always harboured a dream of escaping the bustling city life to work remotely from a tranquil oasis.

Last week, she saw her dream come true as she touched down in the charming Sardinian village of Ollolai, nestled at the heart of Italy’s picturesque island.

This adventure, funded by the local municipality, is part of a programme tailor-made for digital nomads seeking respite in an idyllic countryside landscape, far removed from the urban fray.

As the inaugural digital nomad to embrace this unique opportunity, Partis has already dubbed it a life-changing experience. “I’ve been living the life of a digital nomad for the past two years, with my last stop being Zanzibar,” Partis shared.

“But when the chance to come to Ollolai arose, I was thrilled to give it a shot. I yearned for a change of scenery, not a touristy one, but rather a place surrounded by nature, with fresh air, mountains, beautiful beaches, a place where I could find solace, peace, and a slower-paced lifestyle,” she said.

The enigmatic village of Ollolai

Ollolai is tucked away in the untamed Barbagia region, far removed from Sardinia’s glitzy coastal areas, a realm where age-old traditions endure and where caves once harboured bandits.

Over the years, locals sought brighter prospects elsewhere, leaving behind an ancient district now adorned with vibrant street art that narrates tales of rural life.

In the last century, Ollolai’s population dwindled from 2,250 to a mere 1,300, with only a handful of births occurring annually.

In 2018, the village enacted a highly publicised initiative, selling dilapidated homes for just one euro.

“That was a monumental success, numerous foreigners purchased and revitalised scores of abandoned dwellings,” noted Mayor Francesco Columbu.

“Now, after investing in high-speed internet, we aim to transform our village into a haven for digital nomads with our new project, ‘Work from Ollolai’,” he said.

Clarese Partis working from her home in Ollolai, Sardinia. Source: Antonio Meloni

Free stays for remote professionals

Ollolai’s town hall has allocated 20,000 euros (US$21,460) to accommodate 30 remote workers from around the globe, each taking up residence in the village one at a time over the next two years.

Online applications remain open through December, and those selected can enjoy up to three months of free stay, the maximum duration permissible for non-Europeans in Italy without a visa.

For now, Partis intends to stay for a single month, though she contemplates extending her Sardinian sojourn in the future.

Partis and Francesco Columbu, the major of Ollolai.
Source: Veronica Matta

The next telecommuter is scheduled to arrive from Singapore, said Veronica Matta, head of the local cultural association Sa Mata, collaborates with the mayor’s office to oversee the “Work from Ollolai” programme.

“We anticipate a significant influx of Americans,” Matta noted. “Our objective is to breathe new life into Ollolai with individuals from diverse cultures and languages who can share their digital nomad experiences with the local populace,” she said.

The budget, funded by the town hall, will be utilised to rent homes from local families, offering digital nomads access to furnished two-bedroom residences for approximately 350 euros per month.

Utilities, bills, and town hall service taxes will be covered, with transportation and airfare excluded.

These once-shepherd and farmer residences, which once shared space with livestock on the ground floor, now come equipped with an office space and high-speed internet connectivity.

Matta revealed that workers will be invited to partake in local fairs and festivals, adding that Partis had already attended a town square party the night before her arrival.

“It’s incredible, I only had to pay a symbolic one euro for renting the house,” Partis enthused.

“The locals here are incredibly warm and welcoming, not because they want to sell you something, like in touristy places. I cherish the opportunity to interact with the people here,” she said.

A reciprocal covenant

Winners of this unique programme may enjoy a free sojourn in Sardinia, but there’s a catch, they must contribute something valuable to the local community before departing, as Matta emphasised.

“This isn’t just a free vacation, applicants must possess a proven background as digital nomads and leave behind a concrete contribution at the end of their stay, be it a conference, an essay, a research paper, or a documentary,” she said.

Partis intends to deliver a lecture on the essence of being a digital nomad, both in general and specifically in Ollolai.

Matta stressed that professionals from various fields are encouraged to apply, including technology, media, finance, real estate, architecture, as well as artists, writers, musicians, scientists, and academics, as long as they can impart a “knowledge jolt” that enriches the village culture.

Partis gives her landlord 1 euro as a symbolic gesture.
Source: Veronica Matta

More beautiful than expected

Partis has already fallen in love with her new abode in the historical heart of the village.

With two bedrooms and a captivating panoramic balcony overlooking a pristine valley and wooded terrain, she finds daily inspiration as she works.

Currently, she’s striking a balance between her professional obligations and exploring the splendors of Sardinia.

“My routine in Ollolai is reminiscent of my life elsewhere: yoga and meditation in the morning, followed by work, a stroll outside, and an excursion to the coast or the mountains to savor the tranquility and breathtaking vistas,” Partis described.

“I don’t frequent bars, so they’re not my preferred hangout. Instead, I adore visiting the farmers’ market to select fresh ingredients like truffles and craft pasta and gnocchi with pesto. The food here is simply divine,” she said.

Ollolai has surpassed Partis’s expectations in beauty, and the warmth of its residents has taken her by surprise.

“Sardinia is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. I’m grateful for the ample time I have here to immerse myself in the island’s culture and its rich offerings,” she said.