Those who grew up reading newspapers would recognise the name Dr Pola Singh.
The former director-general of the Maritime Institute of Malaysia was, and still is, a prolific letter writer to newspapers and news websites.
Now 73, Pola also writes for Twentytwo13.
As co-founder of the non-governmental organisation Friends of Bukit Kiara, Pola has spent much of his time fighting to preserve green lungs near his home in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) and the nearby neighbourhoods.
He has also found time to pen his latest book, an autobiography titled: Uphill – The Journey of a Sikh-Chinese Kampung Boy.
Far from being a vanity project – despite having many achievements to boast about – Uphill traces Pola’s roots as a kampung (village) boy and showcases his love for his parents, nine siblings, his wife, children, and grandchildren, in an ever-changing world.
Reading the book, the one thing that stands out is the determination of Pola and his siblings to make a better life for themselves, despite their parents having to scrounge for money to buy basic necessities.
Pola and his siblings used to go to the central rubbish dump in Ayer Leleh, Melaka, to collect discarded newspapers.
They would then clean and dry the newspapers and share them – some crumpled, torn, smelly and soggy – among the siblings. But at least they had something to read.
The book also highlights Pola’s love for his mother Ram Kaur, born Chan Yoke Lin, who single-handedly raised her 10 children. His father, Tara Singh, took a job as Mandor, or manager, in a rubber estate at Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, to make ends meet.
His mum worked a variety of jobs to supplement the family income. Pola and several siblings sometimes went along as ‘assistants’.
His parents’ sense of self-discipline and determination rubbed off on the children who wanted nothing more than to make it ‘big’ on their own. Which we learnt, they did.
Readers of a certain age would identify with some of the anecdotes Pola shares in Uphill – like going to the cinema back in the 1960s and 1970s, where ‘Reserved Class’ tickets were on the second floor of the theatre. Those tickets came with cushioned seats.
Back then, cinemas were not air-conditioned, with ceiling fans “whirring away”, where “halls could get hot and stuffy”, and sitting on hardwood benches was uncomfortable.
These days, cineplexes are air-conditioned, and every seat is cushioned … although ticket prices have shot up from 65 sen for ‘Third-class Seats’ and RM1.40 for the Reserve Class, to nearly RM20, depending on the movie.
Uphill looks back at Pola’s life in Kampung Ayer Leleh, where “warm showers and indoor plumbing were a luxury”, where the all-too-familiar 555 notebook was an ubiquitous feature that can still be seen in smaller towns till this day, and where Beano and Dandy comic books were how many of a certain age, learnt English.
The book also discusses Pola’s rise to the top of government service, including his stint working under then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the 1990s.
It was here where “captains of industries would practically ‘camp out’ at EPU during working hours in hopes of meeting the Director-General to present their privatisation proposals”.
Uphill – The Journey of a Sikh-Chinese Kampung Boy is a fascinating read, and without giving away any more spoilers, it is safe to say that this is a must-have for every Malaysian.
Authored by Pola, Uphill – The Journey of a Sikh-Chinese Kampung Boy, was conceptualised and designed by Professional Storytellers. The book is available for purchase at the reception counter of the Royal Selangor Club (Dataran Merdeka and Bukit Kiara Annexe) and at Jenny Loo Florist, Ground Floor, TTDI Market (Contact number: 019-2208173).
Dr Pola Singh will hold a book signing ceremony at the 1st floor Food Court, TTDI Market on Wednesday (Dec 7, 2022) between 8.30am and 11.30am.
Signing ceremonies will also be held at the Royal Selangor Club (Dataran Merdeka and Bukit Kiara Annexe) at later dates.
