Picture this Pulau Damar Laut. Forty years ago it was a paradise. Julian Davison described wading through clear waters. He saw vibrant marine life at his feet. The coastline was palm-fringed. Little inlets led to Malay kampungs hidden amongst trees. One could even stay overnight in a seaside bungalow. The sounds of waves and the scent of seaweed would soothe you to sleep.
Today Pulau Damar Laut is quite different. It’s part of Jurong Port. Container terminals and a cement terminal dominate the landscape. The idyllic island Davison knew is gone. Reclamation transformed the island. Deep-water berths now accommodate ships of up to 200,000 dwt. These ships have draughts of up to 16 meters. The transformation was complete by April 1993.
The change reflects Singapore’s growth. The need for industry outweighed the desire to preserve the island’s natural beauty. Pulau Damar Laut’s story is a common one. Many of Singapore’s offshore islands have been changed. They lost their natural features. Some even vanished from maps. These changes highlight a conflict. The need for progress versus the desire to retain a nation’s cultural and natural heritage.
Pulau Damar Laut’s story is a poignant reminder. It’s a story of transformation. It’s a story about the cost of progress. The idyllic island paradise is gone. It has been replaced by industry. Yet a photograph from Jurong Hill shows the island. Jurong Island sits in the background. The image captures the scale of change. It captures the contrast between the past and present. Pulau Damar Laut stands as a symbol of Singapore’s development. It’s a reminder of what was lost. It is a testament to the nation’s rapid transformation.