Walking along West Coast Park on a weekend, you will most likely find a group of former Pulau Sudong residents. They congregate near the beach to relive their old way of life and also to catch up with friends.
Despite having left Pulau Sudong for decades, their memories of the island life is vivid as well as their longing for home. At West Coast Park, they can only reminisce the past and be content near the water.
It was unfortunate to have to leave our kampung, our home and the place we were born. But looking at it positively, I feel this was our sacrifice.
Rosli Manan, Former resident of Pulau Sudong
Former Pulau Sudong islanders Rosli Bin Manan, 51, and his mother Hitam Bte Gongjeng, 75, stand at a mangrove swamp along West Coast beach, similar to ones on the fringes of the island where they once lived. Here they get to meet other former islanders from Pulau Sudong as well as Pulau Semakau, who simply meet to reminisce about time living on these islands. They were resettled in the late 1970s.
One of the oldest former Pulau Sudong resident, Hitam Bte Gongjeng, or better known as Nenek Hitam, shares one of her unforgettable days on the island.
Even though we are now living on the main island, but the memories linger till today.
Halimah Bte Daud, Former resident of Pulau Sudong
The islanders also used to have inter-island games. Known as Festival 5S among residents from the different islands, namely Pulau Sekijang, Pulau Sudong, Pulau Semakau, Pulau Seking and Pulau Seraya.
