Watch Personalities

Engku Aman as he was also known, was a member of the wealthy trading Arab family, the Alsagoffs. The landowner was a philanthropist dedicated to administering Muslim charitable institutions closely associated with the Alsagoff family name. 

Syed Omar was a philanthropist and his charitable acts included donating what is now called Jalan Kubor Cemetery, a large plot of land in Victoria Street for the purposes of a Muslim burial ground, the construction of a mosque in Bencoolen Street and Masjid Kampong Melaka, renamed Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka in his honour. The land where St Andrew's Cathedral stands was also donated by him. He and his family contributed largely to the setting up of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Syed Omar's descendants continue to reside in Singapore. 

1984

First woman in Nepal to become a mountaineering instructor and was one of the first Nepalese women to reach the summit of K2. She has also been active in earthquake relief in Nepal. In 2016, she was named National Geographic's People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year, and was presented with the 45th International Alpine Solidarity Award in Pinzolo, Italy.

In 2014 she climbed K2 as part of a 3 woman team, the first all-female Nepali team to climb the mountain. After the 2015 Nepal earthquake, she worked in the relief efforts, distributing blankets, helping build shelters for the displaced people, organizing temporary medical facilities, coordinating relief convoys, and preventing trafficking of victims. She is also devloping a foundation to assist women's education in Nepal.

7 January 1895 - 20 March 1981

A Finnish geologist and geographer, chiefly remembered as an explorer of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia. He is also noted for his pioneering studies on tephrochronology, desertification, and the development of bogs. 

22 September 1955

First woman to cross both polar ice caps to reach the North and South Poles. In 1992–1993, Bancroft led a four-woman expedition to the South Pole on skis; this expedition was the first all-female expedition to cross the ice to the South Pole. First woman to reach the North Pole on foot and by sled, she arrived at the North Pole together with five other team members after 56 days using dogsleds. 

27 July 1740 - 5 August 1807

A member of Louis Antoine de Bougainville's colonial expedition on the ships La Boudeuse and Étoile in 1766 – 1769. Baret is recognized as the first woman to have circumnavigated the globe. 

1876 - 12 Dec 1933
Leader who saw himself as
the servant

- Attended a Malay School in Kampong Glam before finishing his education in Raffles Institution.

- Held several government jobs in the Straits Settlements.

- Became the editor of Utusan Melayu, the Malay version of The Singapore Free Press in 1907.

- Used the platform to champion the social and educational concerns of the Malay community.

- Appointed to the  Muslim Advisory Board set up by the government during World War I.

- Appointed a justice of the peace in 1922 and became the first Malay member of the municipal commission and finally the first Malay legislative councillor in 1924.

- Formed the Singapore Malay Union in 1926 to increase the roles of Malays in public life and uphold Malay interest in the Colonial government.

26 February 1774 - 11 May 1839
First British Resident Singapore

• Military commander and civilian administrator of Melaka, known as Rajah of Melaka.

• Married French-Malay local Nonio (Nonya) Clemaine and had 6 children.

• Accompanied Raffles to establish trading post in Singapore and played critical role in Singapore's  initial years in the absence of Raffles as administrator.

• Attracted traders to the trading post while operating on very little budget.

• Clashed with Raffles due to differing policy view (such as licensing of gambling and opium trade) and was dismissed in 1983. He was sent off by large numbers of Europeans and locals. 

• Also contributed to the understanding of natural history of South East Asia, mainly through his collection of drawings (William Farquhar Collection). 

• Farquhar Street, the only landmark in Singapore named after him was expunged in 1994 due to street realignment and site development. 

Date of birth and death unknown
First Indian in Singapore

• Persuaded by and followed Raffles to Singapore on the "Indiana" in 1819 from Penang.

• Worked as Chief Clerk of the treasury before turning to business.

• Became the first Indian brick maker and contractor in Singapore.

• Lost his business when his bazaar burnt down but started afresh with Raffles' help.

• Funded the building of Sri Mariammam Temple in Telok Ayer in 1823, which is now a national monument.

• Recognised as a leader among the early Indian community with contributions in business, religion and education.

• Appointed chief of the Indians and given authority to mediate disputes.

• Pillai Road was named after him in 1957.
  
  

21 October 1874 - 12 August 1961
Henry Ford of Malaya

• Came to Singapore from Fujian China to apprentice in his father's company.

• Did well and was promoted to manager; however, the shop suffered losses while he was back in China.

• Started his own company dealing with pineapple plantation and cannery and eventually settled his father's debt.

• Business expanded to include shipping, rice, rubber plantation and manufacturing of rubber products.

• Founded Tao Nan School, Ai Tong School, Chinese High and contributed to the development of other schools in Singapore and abroad such as Anglo-Chinese School and Raffles Institution.

• Headed the Singapore China Relief Fund and organise material and mobilization effort against Japanese invasion of China and South East Asia.

• Escaped to Indonesia just before the fall of Singapore.

• Continued philanthropic work in education and causes of overseas Chinese till his death in China in 1961.

12 November 1879 - 20 March 1936
Singapore's Pineapple King and Philanthropist 

• Planter and General Merchant.

• Founded Lim Nee Soon and Co., a rubber and pineapple plantation in 1911.

• Consultant to local rubber planters.

• Known as the the Pineapple King due to success of his  plantation in Sembawang.

• Helped developed Sembawang area which current mascot is a Pineapple (Mr Semba Wang).

• Respected as a prominent Chinese community leader and savvy businessman

• Appointed member of Welfare Board in 1917 and made Justice of Peace in 1918.

• Yishun (Nee Soon) Town named after him.

• Chong Pang City (neighbourhood in Yishun) was named after his son Lim Chong Pang.

• Lim Chong Pang, also a philanthropist and community leader, was recognised for leasing land cheaply to workers in the Sembawang area.