SGExplained

Special Episode: Secret Societies

Listen Later

We're known as a crime-free country but have you heard about the history of Secret Societies in Singapore, one of the lesser-known phenomenon of our country's dark underbelly. Hear stories and facts about gangsters and thugs that you'd be surprised about including:

  • the fact that secret societies were actually multi-racial (in proper Singaporean fashion)
  • how coolies became part of the "pig trade", getting caught in vicious cycles of opium and prostitution
  • the tale of Pulau Senang, a penal settlement similar to Alcatraz, where the Singapore government tried to reform secret society members through hard work

    • This special episode is an accompaniment to the Channel News Asia production "Into The Vault" where you find more content on this topic, including interviews with former secret society members and experts on related topics. 

    Sources:

    1. The Murder of Inspector Popejoy by Little Cockroach - Newspaper SG
    2. How Secret Societies formed in Singapore - Mothership
    3. Central Police Station (demolished) - Roots.gov.sg
    4. A Forgotten Past – ‘Prison on Fire’ at Pulau Senang - Remember Singapore
    5. Chinese Secret Societies - Facebook Page
    6. Secret Societies in Singapore - Wikipedia

      7. Intro Music by Wataboi from Pixabay

      Outro Music by Nielizas from Pixabay

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      SGExplainedBy Rovik Robert, Elliot Tan and Charmian Tan
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5

      5

      6 ratings