Bukit Orang Salah

At various points in its history tiny St Johns Island was where Singapores colonial founder Sir Stamford Raffles docked his ship upon arrival a quarantine centre for immigrants and pilgrims returning from Mecca a penal colony for political detainees and secret society leaders and a sleepy holiday resort Unlike its neighbouring islands however St Johns was never fully developed It occupies an inbetween space the vestiges of its history scattered around the land Its indeterminacy stands in sharp contrast to Singapore where land use is meticulously planned to fulfil economic and social functions In this film St Johns Island otherwise known as Bukit Orang Salah a nickname coined by the people who were quarantined there becomes a site of and for reflection prompting questions about our history heritage and identity