Data collection: Employment and Living Conditions of Malay in Singapore during colonial times (Employment)

Source D: Once of the photos before WW2, picture taken by an unknown photographer in the early 1900's  

 

From Source D, I can tell that employment in Singapore during colonial times was better for the Malays because a majority of them had jobs that were much better compared to their homelands. The fact that majority of the Malays were farmers and fishermen (as shown in Source C & D) proves that it was better to work in Singapore than to work in their homelands. Furthermore, they decided to migrate here to Singapore to work because the living conditions in Singapore was much better than their homelands. Therefore, it's proves that employment in Singapore during colonial times was great for the Malays.

Source E: Excerpt of a website 

(http://www.photius.com/countries/singapore/society/singapore_society_the_malays.html) 

• [The 1931 census recorded the occupations of 18 percent of the Malays as fishermen and 12 percent as farmers; the remaining 70 percent held jobs in the urban cash economy, either in public service or as gardeners, drivers, or small-scale artisans and retailers. The British colonialists had considered the Malays as simple farmers and fishermen with strong religious faith and a "racial" tendency toward loyalty and deference; they preferentially recruited the Malays to the police, the armed forces, and unskilled positions in the public service.]

From Source E, I can tell that the employment in Singapore before World War 2 was great for the Malays as majority of them had jobs that were quite good. Their jobs were of above average quality and great. Even though they were not working as a businessman, a manager or maybe a job better than theirs, they were still happy, loyal and were strong in their faith. Furthermore, the British colonialist had considered the Malays as simple people and decided to recruit the Malays to the police, the armed forces and so on. This proves that the employment for the Malays was good. (Fishermen, Farmers, and others)

Source F: Excerpts of an article

(http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2013-08-12_113516.html)

• [The Bugis were originally farmers and their involvement in maritime activities only began in the 18th century. This was in response to the Dutch capture of the port of Makassar, which cut the Bugis off from trade in the surrounding areas. The Bugis were thus forced to travel by sea to other parts of the Malay Archipelago, especially the coasts of Sumatra and Malaya, in search of trading opportunities... As a result, a number of Bugis left Riau for Singapore, where they could trade more freely under the British.]

• [In February 1819, shortly after the arrival of the British, a group of 500 Bugis led by Chieftain Arong Bilawa arrived in Singapore, which then became the centre of Bugis trade in the western part of the Malay Archipelago. In 1824, a total of 90 Bugis ships were reported to have called at Singapore. The following year, the number of Bugis ships visiting the island had increased to 120.]

• [By 1824, there were some 1,851 Bugis in Singapore making up slightly more than 10 percent of the island’s population. The Bugis population in Singapore peaked at around 2,000 people in the 1830s when Bugis merchants had a virtual monopoly over trade with the eastern islands of the Malay Archipelago.]

From Source F, I can tell that the employment in Singapore during colonial times was one of the many great advantages and was important for the Malays. This is because the Dutch captured their port, which cut the traders off from trade. Furthermore, Singapore was a port where traders can trade more freely under the British. As a result, the Malays left their homelands to find jobs in Singapore. Due to Singapore's employment and it's advantages, this attracted traders such as the Bugis traders to come to Singapore. Soon, more traders visited the island. Eventually, the merchants had some sort of control over trade with islands of the Malay Archipelago. The fact that they had control over trade with other places proves that the employment in Singapore during colonial times was important for the Malays. Therefore, Singapore was a great advantage for the Malays (Employment).