Perhaps it’s the mystery that surrounds Pulau Sarimbun that makes it so intriguing. This small island rests off Singapore’s northwestern coast. It is in the Straits of Johor.
Pulau Sarimbun spans only 1.4 hectares. Yet, this small area holds a unique story. It is a story of solitude, military history and natural beauty.
Pulau Sarimbun means “luxuriant” in Malay. The name reflects its thick vegetation. Imagine this island as a shady refuge. It offers views of the Johor Strait.
In the 1930s, William Arthur Bates Goodall made Pulau Sarimbun his home. Goodall was a Boer War veteran. He became a waterworks engineer. He sought a “Robinson Crusoe life”. He lived there until his death in 1941. People called him the Laird of Sarimbun Island. He even had four “subjects”. They included a Cambridge-educated Chinese clerk and a Malay boatman.
But Goodall was not the first inhabitant. A mysterious Russian lived there before him. He paid a rent of “three peppercorns” annually.
Today, Pulau Sarimbun is part of the SAFTI Live Firing Area. Access is restricted. It is one of Singapore’s islands off-limits to the public. This adds to its mystique.
The island saw action during World War II. General Tomoyuki Yamashita landed his troops here. This led to the Battle of Sarimbun Beach.
Despite its military use, Pulau Sarimbun has natural significance. A rare fossil fern was found here in 2003. It was thought to be extinct in Singapore.
Sarimbun Reservoir was created by damming Sungei Sarimbun. It also involved widening other rivers. This reservoir is part of Singapore’s water supply.
Though off-limits to casual visitors, Pulau Sarimbun remains a point of interest. It shows Singapore’s blend of history, nature, and strategic importance. It reminds us of the layers of stories hidden within this small island. It stands as a testament to Singapore’s rich and varied past. Pulau Sarimbun is more than just a landmass. It is a symbol of history. It whispers tales of hermits and soldiers.