Bibliography of a gang member in the early days of S'pore

I was a immigrant in China, coming to Singapore in search of fortunes. When I first arrived here, a fellow guy from my homeland called Ah Seng took care of me well and even helping me find a job as a coolie. I felt so happy and lucky to have such a "buddy" as it was my first time in a foreign land. I could not speak the Malay language in which most of the people here are speaking. I felt very indifferent as compared to them and they seem to be very hostile to me. My "friend" seeing I was so isolated and lonely, recommended me to join a Chinese "association" in which there a lot of fellow china people were in it. Well, I did not know that was a secret society at first as I trusted my new friend. I have heard of such societies before when I was in China. They were set up in China in the seventeen-century to oppose the Manchu dynasty. They were also called triads by the Europeans as they based on a belief combining the powers of heaven, man and earth. I have loathe to join these kind of societies in China as most of them are involved in illegal activities like bribing or murdering witnesses of some case. They also fight with other rival gangs for territories and also for trade. I really regretted joining the secret society.

Ah Seng brought me to a place in Chinatown. The building was quite dilapidated, with resemblance of a temple. There was a cloth on the roof writing the name of the association which was the Gee Hock Society. The foul smell of incense and joss sticks greeted me when I walk in the building. It was dimly lighted inside and only rays of sunlight coming through the few holes on the roof made the place more visible. On the left side wall of the building, a set of rules which members have to follow were written on red paper. Out of curiosity I went over to read it and discovered that the last law was that those who leave the society would be met with the punishment of death. I shuddered as I know I had been tricked by my friend in joining this. There was no backing out for me now. I was lead by him to the main hall where about fifty to sixty people were there. One of the people, with a red headband walk forward to me and put his arms around me, bringing me in front of the altar. He told me that it was my fortune to join this society and I will be protected by them. I had no choice but to agree to join them. I had to go through a major ceremony before joining the gang. Firstly I must take a bath with lots of flower in it so as to "cleanse" myself. Next he cut some of my hair and burned it together with a yellow amulet. He added water and his own hair to the ashes and sprinkled the water over me signifying I was one of them. Then he pricked my finger with a needle and squeezed some blood into a bowl.He added in his own blood plus four others which were the subleaders of the society. After adding water, I drank the whole mixture down and I was already considered as one of them. I then had a unforgettable experience in my life as I was tattooed on the arm of a picture of a dragon, the symbol of the club. The ceremony was finally over and I, phew, finally a member of the society. I was given a parang, headband and a monthly allowance of 50 cents.

I felt very happy and contented to be in this kind of society at first. I had made a lot of friends in the society and I virtually did nothing, only helping out in the cleaning of the headquarters. Life was peaceful and I could also send money back to my family in Guangdong. I did not know how the society is run and I was not very bother as I was quite happy with my life.

One fine morning, I was abruptly woken up from bed as my subleader called me to get armed and wait in the main hall. I took my parang and went off to assemble. It was the first time I saw so many of our members assembling and many had puzzling looks on their face on what is happening. The leader of the gang lead us out onto one of the street which was bustling with activities. There was another group of armed people at the end of the street. I now finally understand what is going to happen. A street battle! This was what I was fearful of when I first joined the society. With a loud cry from their leader, they came charging at us like a mad bull. Shouts and screams filled the whole air as passersby scuffled for protection. Blood covered the area, making it a red river. I saw some of my friends lying on the ground, dead; some are still fighting like savage barbarians with crimson red blood of the enemies on their face and body; others are lying on the ground holding their wound groaning in great pain; the remaining ones who are afraid went into hiding under tables or whatever objects they could find. I stood rooted to the ground, flabbergasted at what had happen. A rival gang member nearly got his parang into my head if not for one of my friend who save me in the nick of the time. He shaked me and told me to fight so as to ensure my own survival. I felt quite disillusioned at what had happen. At this moment, crys of "Army and police here!!! Retreat!" was heard. Immediately the people who were fighting stop and disperse in all directions as fast as their legs could carry them. I carry one of my injured friends and took off into a dark alley. He did not make it back to the headquarters and died groaning on my back in pain. The sight at the main hall was unbearable as I saw the bodies of most of my friends. Others were being attended to their wounds and the smell of blood filled the room. A lot of people who escaped unhurt was still wondering what had happened just now.
I finally decided that I want to leave the society. It will not be a easy task as anyone who tries to leave will be pursued by the members till he is killed. I know that the police force here could not offer the protection I need and I decided that I will go into hiding at the Protector’s office which ahs just been set up to handle secret societies. On the next day morning, I decided to leave now as most of the members are out to work and hence I will not be discovered easily. Just as I was making my way out of the headquarters with my clothes and money, one of the subleaders spotted me and shouted me to stop. Frightened, I immediately took to my heels and dashed out of the place, towards the Protector’s office.

The leader, upon seeing me run, gave chase with about four to five members armed with parang. I ran, turned into an alley and came to an dead end. I immediately hide in the basket full of rubbish. My heart was pounding rapidly and I was gasping for breath. I was afraid that my pursers could hear me. They came and used their parangs to slashed at the baskets. One of them cut my leg but I bear the pain as I was afraid they will find out.They finally went out of the alley after they slashed all of the baskets. I heaved a sign of relief and limped my way to the Protector.

I am now under great protection by the Protector of Chinese Immigrants but I still fear the day in which I will be murdered on the street for leaving the society and providing evidence to the police and Protector of Chinese Immigrants. I really fear that the day will come and I can only pray that I will be safe and sound so as to return to China to reunite with my family. I hope no harm comes to me. I do sincerely hope so.