Seletar

An Anecdotal History
For
T.R.E.E.
 Seletar
• Khatib
• Orang Seletar
• Burial Grounds
• Yishun Dam
• Jenal Jetty
 Khatib
Khatib is derived from a name of
a pious man called Tun Jana
Khatib. He was from Pasai in
Sumatra.

He heard of the wealth and

opportunities in Temasik and set
out with two other merchants to
start a business there. The year
was 1375.
 Khatib
In Singapore, Tun Jana Khatib spotted in one
of the windows a beautiful lady looking in
their direction. That beautiful lady was the
Sultan's wife. This Sultan was the Forth King
of Singapore named Paduka Sri Maharaja.

The king however was watching him too and

thought that the magician was flirting with
his wife via showing off his magic skills.
 Khatib
He ordered the guards to seize Tun Jana and execute
him at once. The guards quickly arrested Tun Jana
Khatib and took him to the place of execution.  
It was said that the execution took place at the
present Khatib Camp ‘School of Artillery’.
 Khatib
Another version mentioned that Tun Jana Khatib
was dragged to a place called Hujung Pasar
(present day Kampung Gelam) and was killed
there. Before he died, he cursed the ruler of
Singapore.
Kampong Tanjong Malang
 Khatib
Swordfish attached the coast of Singapore. Many
people died.
The blood of Hang Nadim that painted the hill red. Bukit Merah founded its name
 Seletar

A map of Yishun, Seletar, Bah Soon Pah which were once

known as Serangoon.
 Seletar

In the north of Singapore is the Seletar River, where there were previously
Seletar people who lived there, but it is unknown whether these people
got their name from the name of the river, or vice versa.
 Seletar

Orang Seletar on board their houseboats known as

'sampan panjang' or long boats.
 Seletar

Pak Katuak (or Ketua), the chief of Encik Salim 'Tok Batin' of Kampung
Orang Seletar. They lived along the Sungai Temon in Johor. He is the
coast of Sungai Seletar / Yishun grandson of Pak Katuak.
Dam. He was a Singaporean.
 Seletar

Orang Seletar children in Kampung Sungai Temon.

 Seletar

Seletar was also a passage taken by Parameswara to flee from

the Majapahits. The Orang Seletar assisted him to cross into
Johor.
 Burial Ground - Pengkalan Petai

Kampong Kitin, Kampong Pengkalan Kundor, Kampong Pengkalan Petai, Kampong Tongkang
Pochap, Kampong Punggol, Sungei Simpang, Khatib Bongsu, Sungei Seletar, Sungei Punggol,
Sungei Serangoon.
Cemetery (circled)
 Yishun Dam
The reservoir was created in 1983 when a
dam was built across the mouth of Seletar
River. Known as 'Sungei Seletar Reservoir'
then, it was renamed in 1992 as Lower Seletar
Reservoir.

It was built at a cost of $60.8 Million and

stretched 975metres across.
The Straits Times, 16 April 1983, Page 11
Yishun Dam

Singapore Monitor, 5 March 1984, Page 5

 Jenal Jetty

Some of the jetties here came under threat in early 2012 when the
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Singapore
Land Authority (SLA) found at least three jetties to be illegally built.
 Jenal Jetty

Encik Othman and Puan Sakdiah Mohd, owner of Jenal

Jetty. Sakdiah has managed this jetty for over 30 years
when this photo was taken in 2011.
 Jenal Jetty
• Owners of Jenal and other Jetties noted that since
Seletar coastal area was approved as mooring bases for
boats in 1993.

• SLA had originally issued three temporary occupation

licences (TOL) to the representatives of the craft
owners for the use of state land, including fishing
equipment within the TOL boundary.

• However, approval was not given for the makeshift

jetties and structures outside the TOL boundary which
“lack professional certification and pose safety
hazards”.
 Jenal Jetty
• While the owners were first told to remove
these illegal structures, they were informed at
the end of March that the jetties could remain
as long as they were certified safe by
professional engineers. 

• Still detecting an air of uncertainty surrounding

their long-term futures, they go about their
business cautiously and furtively, doing their
best to tow the line that they seem to have.