singapore - Asiapac Books

Legendary Tales of
SINGAPORE
Compiled and retold by Catherine GS Lim
illustrated by ZAKI RAGMAN
Publisher’s Note
In this first-ever comics edition of tales of Singapore, we have chronicled
the stories related to all the five rajas who ruled Singapura since she was
first discovered.
Sang Nila Utama’s first landing on the island of 14th-century Temasek
had always been shrouded in mystery. While sailing towards Temasek, it
seemed that he had to throw his crown into the sea before the storm
finally abated. This happened just before he met the strange creature and
renamed the island ‘Singapura’. Henceforth, the island’s offspring will
always wonder about the implication of these peculiar events.
You will also enjoy several well-known legends spun during this period,
including the stories of places like Redhill, Kusu Island, Sisters Island
and Radin Mas.
Life on the island had been idyllic. But there had been many perilous
moments that came with the political plots taking place in and out of the
palaces. The people of Singapura had been happy yet constantly
challenged. It is no wonder that today’s Singapore has so much charm
about her — beauty, strength and dignity!
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Zaki Ragman for his
vivid illustrations, Catherine G S Lim for her compilation, and the
production team for putting in their best efforts to make this publication
possible.
About the Illustrator
Mohd Zaki Bin Ragman, 28, is a full-time illustrator. In this capacity, he
has worked as a graphic designer, games illustrator and concept designer.
He enjoys comics (Western, Japanese and local), listening to music, going
to the movies, and is keen about martial arts!
His comic works have been featured in Comics Alliance 2000 published
by Asiapac Books. Active in the local comics circle, he won the first
prize in the “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Comics Cover Competition”
organised by Kinokuniya Bookstores in June 2001.
Zaki has a passion to create his own works and share them with everyone.
And he loves to hear from you, his reader!
Simply email to: The [email protected]
MAP OF SINGAPORE
1
1. Redhill
2. Merlion
2
Contents
The Founding
of Singapura
1
The Raja of
Majapahit
The Swordfish
Invasion
59
23
Badang, the
Strongman
of Singapura
35
The Legend of
Kusu Island 77
Sisters Island 89
Radin Mas
7
101
THE FOUNDING OF SINGAPURA
1
The distant land of Kalinga was ruled by Raja Chulan. An
adventurer, he was not content with the easy life within the
palace. One day, he descended into the underwater kingdom
of Dika and fell in love with Princess Mathabu’l-Bahri.
He remained there for three years, and the Princess gave birth
to three sons. Soon after, Raja Chulan returned to land to
resume his rule.
When the three princes grew up, they decided to leave Dika
and claim their earthly heritage. Riding three majestic elephants,
they arrived in Palembang onto the rice fields of two elderly
women who kindly invited them into their home.
The Raja of Palembang, Demang Lebar Daun, heard about
them and asked them to stay at his palace. Soon, word of the
three princes got around, and royalty from the neighbouring
towns came to pay their respects.
The eldest prince then became the Raja of Menangkabau while
the second prince became the Raja of Tanjong Pura.
The youngest, Sang Nila Utama, remained in Palembang. Later,
he became its ruler when Demang Lebar Daun abdicated to
become his Chief Minister. Some time later, he married Demang
Lebar Daun’s daughter, Wan Sendari.
2
Under the rule of Sang Nila
Utama, the city of Palembang
became prosperous.
At the palace…
The city appears to
be flourishing. Chief
Minister, are my
people happy?
Your subjects
are content, Your
Majesty.
I have been in the
palace for a long time.
Too long.
3
Alas! My bones are
aching for adventure.
I will leave
Palembang under the
care of your brother.
Prepare the ships for
departure!
Right away, Your
Majesty!
That’s why I have
decided to explore the
coast and find a suitable
site for a new city.
Days later, in Bentan, where a
powerful queen named Wan
Sri Benian ruled...
Your Majesty,
I have received
word —
4
Hmm, I have heard
that he is a great leader.
I wonder if he’s a good
husband as well…
The Raja of Palembang,
is on his way here!
Bring him to the
palace. If he is old, tell him
that his younger sister sends
her respects. If he is young,
tell him that his mother
sends her greetings.
As you wish,
Your Majesty.
In the waters near Bentan…
Hello! I bring
greetings from
Queen Wan Sri
Benian!
Welcome aboard!
Our Raja will
receive you now!
After he was shown to
the Rajah’s quarters, the
Minister saw that Sang
Nila Utama was a young
lad. Therefore, he
delivered his Queen’s
second message. In
addition, on behalf of the
Queen, he invited him to
the palace.
Very well, it would
be my honour to
meet your Queen.
5
The next day, Sang Nila Utama paid the
Queen a visit. When she saw how young
he was, she decided to adopt him.
The Raja’s ‘new’ life…
As the days passed, the
Queen grew so fond of the
young Raja that she named
him her successor.
6
One day…
It’s so far away!
And we have our
own hunting
grounds.
Mother, I
would like to go
hunting at Tanjong
Bemian.
Our grounds
have enclosures
and cages. Even a
child can be a
hunter.
All right, you
may go.
I need new
challenges. If I am
not permitted to go,
I shall die.
Swiftly, preparations for the trip were
made. Many ships were readied, and
men were summoned to join the
entourage which included the Chief
Minister, Sang Nila Utama’s wife and
the Queen’s Minister. In time, the
party set sail.
The ships caught a good wind and
arrived at Tanjong Bemian in no time.
Everyone was in high spirits, so a
picnic was held at the beach.
7
The hunt!
The Raja looked eagerly for
his next target. Suddenly —
8