21-05-2025
Forum: Two port pioneers deserve recognition
I refer to the article 'Remembering the pioneers who built Singapore' by Michael Han, May 19. I wish to highlight two other significant yet often overlooked pioneers who helped shape Singapore's early port operations: B. Govindasamy Chettiar and S.L. Perumal.
In 1930, Govindasamy Chettiar, known also as Kottai Govindasamy Chettiar, co-founded the Indian Labour Company with Mohammed Yusof, supplying lascars (Indian sailors), stevedores and wharf workers. He became one of Singapore Harbour Board's largest contractors, operating through Gates 1 and 2. Beyond business, Govindasamy was deeply committed to community welfare – offering free meals at his kottai (shed), dignified employment, and an open door to all in need regardless of their race.
In 1937, the Straits Settlements government appointed him Justice of the Peace, presenting him with a rare scroll in recognition not only of his enterprise, but also his integrity and racial inclusiveness – values that prefigured independent Singapore's national ethos of 3Ms: multi-racialism, multiculturalism and multi-religiosity.
Govindasamy's nephew and son-in-law, S.L. Perumal, managed harbour operations during the Japanese Occupation. Refusing to collaborate with the occupiers despite their coercion, Perumal continued the work while Govindasamy quietly distributed rice and passed secret messages to aid the British. Their quiet courage helped sustain countless families and the resistance efforts.
After the war in 1945, Lord Louis Mountbatten met with Govindasamy at his home to discuss restoring port operations – an extraordinary gesture of respect. When Govindasamy died of a heart attack on April 6, 1948, the harbour closed for half a day as more than 3,500 people of all races paid their respects on the day of his funeral. It was a fitting farewell to a man whose life was defined by service and sacrifices.
Govindasamy's legacy includes generous donations to charities and Hindu temples. He was a trustee of Sri Mariamman Temple while managing also the Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, later rebuilt by Perumal using personal funds. In 2022, Govindasamy was posthumously honoured with the Indian Hall of Fame Singapore's Navroji Mistri Excellence Award for Philanthropy.
The contributions of these two Indian pioneers deserve greater recognition and should be included in the national narrative as we celebrate SG60.
Tang Siew Ngoh
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