Don’t turn Pulau Ubin into tourist resort

Pulau Ubin is the stuff memories are made of (“The last Ubinites — a short hop, and a world away”; Oct 17).

The island reminds me of what Singapore was once like — a rustic village with a relaxed atmosphere that takes you away from the hustle and bustle after just a short journey.

This is why it must be preserved as it is, especially as we are looking to keep Singapore’s history and heritage alive.

We must definitely steer clear of any attempts to turn it into a tourist resort. We have Sentosa for that.

Few nations have grown quite as quickly as ours in such a short span of time. It is so critical we preserve this living document of our past, especially for the young who have little idea of Singapore’s roots. We should not forget the past, if we are to appreciate how far we have come.

The young must also be taught the meaning of hardship, and how it has made people very resourceful in order to survive. They must appreciate how past generations slogged to create what we have today.

Preserving Pulau Ubin is also preserving our natural heritage, of which there is still much to be savoured on the island. As someone who has lived in the East Coast area all his life, this is something to be cherished, as I have witnessed how areas such as Katong and Siglap have lost some of their charm because of reclamation and development.

All around now there are people and cars, and the noise that come with them. There is less room for solitude, peace and quiet.

And I am sure it will become even more congested in time.

Pulau Ubin as it is provides much-needed respite for Singaporeans without having to spend too much money or travel too far. The older generation will appreciate having a place that reminds them of the past, and the younger generation will have the opportunity to learn about Singapore before it became a bustling metropolis.