Pulau Senang: Difference between revisions
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'''Pulau Senang''' or '''Barn Island''' is a [[coral]] [[island]] about 13 [[kilometre]]s off the southern coast of [[Singapore]]. It is one of three islands, the other two being [[Pulau Pawai]] and [[Pulau Sudong]], currently used as a [[military]] training area for [[live-fire exercise]]s. |
'''Pulau Senang''' or '''Barn Island''' is a [[coral]] [[island]] about 13 [[kilometre]]s off the southern coast of [[Singapore]]. It is one of three islands, the other two being [[Pulau Pawai]] and [[Pulau Sudong]], currently used as a [[military]] training area for [[live-fire exercise]]s. |
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Pulau Senang is best known in the [[history of Singapore]] as a [[penal colony]] in the early [[1960s]]. However, the [[experiment]] failed after [[rioting]] against the [[guard]]s took place, killing three officers. |
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==Etymology== |
==Etymology== |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Pulau Senang was a [[Penal colony|penal]] |
Pulau Senang was a [[Penal colony|penal]] experiment where [[prisoner]]s were allowed to roam freely on the island. The concept behind this experiment was that [[detainee]]s could be [[reform]]ed through their own [[labour]]. |
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The [[settlement]] started on [[18 May]] [[1960]] with the arrival of 50 detainees and [[Superintendent (police)|Superintendent]] [[Daniel Dutton (superintendent)|Daniel Dutton]]. Over the next three years, the number of detainees rose to 320, and they transformed the island into an attractive settlement. |
The [[settlement]] started on [[18 May]] [[1960]] with the arrival of 50 detainees and [[Superintendent (police)|Superintendent]] [[Daniel Dutton (superintendent)|Daniel Dutton]]. Over the next three years, the number of detainees rose to 320, and they transformed the island into an attractive settlement. |
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Dutton believed that through hard work, the detainees could be reformed and he did away with the bearing of [[weapon|arms]] by the |
Dutton believed that through hard work, the detainees could be reformed and he did away with the bearing of [[weapon|arms]] by the guards. However, on [[12 July]] [[1963]], a group of some 70 to 90 detainees rioted and burned down most of the buildings. They hacked Dutton to death and killed two other officers. 58 people were [[Criminal accusation|accuse]]d of rioting and [[murder]]ing Dutton and officers Arumugan Veerasingham and Tan Kok Hian. |
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Because of the large number of the [[accused]], a special [[dock]] has to be constructed for them. The [[Legal case|case]] went to [[Trial (law)|trial]] on [[18 November]], 1963 and lasted an unprecedented 64 days. On [[12 March]] [[1964]], the seven-member [[jury]] found 18 of the accused [[Guilt (law)|guilty]] of murder, 18 guilty of rioting with deadly [[weapon]]s and 11 guilty of rioting. The remaining 11 accused were [[acquit]]ted. Those found guilty of murder were [[sentenced to death]], while those found guilty of rioting with deadly weapons were [[Sentence (law)|sentence]]d to three years' [[imprisonment]]; the rest of the rioters were sentenced to two years' imprisonment. |
Because of the large number of the [[accused]], a special [[dock]] has to be constructed for them. The [[Legal case|case]] went to [[Trial (law)|trial]] on [[18 November]], 1963 and lasted an unprecedented 64 days. On [[12 March]] [[1964]], the seven-member [[jury]] found 18 of the accused [[Guilt (law)|guilty]] of murder, 18 guilty of rioting with deadly [[weapon]]s and 11 guilty of rioting. The remaining 11 accused were [[acquit]]ted. Those found guilty of murder were [[sentenced to death]], while those found guilty of rioting with deadly weapons were [[Sentence (law)|sentence]]d to three years' [[imprisonment]]; the rest of the rioters were sentenced to two years' imprisonment. |
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Revision as of 10:51, 11 December 2006
1°10′14″N 103°44′10″E / 1.17056°N 103.73611°E Template:SG neighbourhood Pulau Senang or Barn Island is a coral island about 13 kilometres off the southern coast of Singapore. It is one of three islands, the other two being Pulau Pawai and Pulau Sudong, currently used as a military training area for live-fire exercises.
Pulau Senang is best known in the history of Singapore as a penal colony in the early 1960s. However, the experiment failed after rioting against the guards took place, killing three officers.
Etymology
Pulau Senang is Malay for "island of ease".
History
Pulau Senang was a penal experiment where prisoners were allowed to roam freely on the island. The concept behind this experiment was that detainees could be reformed through their own labour.
The settlement started on 18 May 1960 with the arrival of 50 detainees and Superintendent Daniel Dutton. Over the next three years, the number of detainees rose to 320, and they transformed the island into an attractive settlement.
Dutton believed that through hard work, the detainees could be reformed and he did away with the bearing of arms by the guards. However, on 12 July 1963, a group of some 70 to 90 detainees rioted and burned down most of the buildings. They hacked Dutton to death and killed two other officers. 58 people were accused of rioting and murdering Dutton and officers Arumugan Veerasingham and Tan Kok Hian.
Because of the large number of the accused, a special dock has to be constructed for them. The case went to trial on 18 November, 1963 and lasted an unprecedented 64 days. On 12 March 1964, the seven-member jury found 18 of the accused guilty of murder, 18 guilty of rioting with deadly weapons and 11 guilty of rioting. The remaining 11 accused were acquitted. Those found guilty of murder were sentenced to death, while those found guilty of rioting with deadly weapons were sentenced to three years' imprisonment; the rest of the rioters were sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
Most of those involved in the rioting were members of secret societies who were detained without trial and had no hope of leaving the island. As a result of the riots, the penal experiment came to an adrupt end.
References
- Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2004), Toponymics - A Study of Singapore Street Names, Eastern University Press, ISBN 981-210-364-3
- Tommy Koh et al. (2006), Singapore: The Encyclopedia, Editions Didier Millet and National Heritage Board, ISBN 981-4155-63-2