RCMA

54 Activities BEING A RENOVATION CONTRACTOR WAS A TOUGH JOB IN THE PAST. THESE PIONEER RENOVATORS FROM THE RCMA COMMITTEE GIVE US MORE INSIGHTS. Pioneer Renovators Discuss about Renovation in the Early Days PIONEER RENOVATORS DISCUSSION 先锋一代装修商 谈论会 Lim Ah Bah: Back in the past, renovators or contractors were called “mosquito contractors”. To mark this memory, we have gathered a group of pioneer renovation contractors here to reminisce about the renovation industry in the eighties. Documenting this piece of history is our editor and our videographer. We hope by detailing this into the current edition of the RCMA renovation guidebook, our readers will have a better understanding about the past and present. Firstly, allow me to introduce Tan Chim Hoon. He was the previous president of RCMA. Next is Tan Boon Sang. He was our previous secretary in RCMA. We also have C.N. Tan joining us today and he was one of the three founders of RCMA. Last but not least, we are also graced by Chua Chwee Cheok, who was one of the pioneer renovators in our association. The Housing Development Board (HDB) was previously known as Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT). The notorious Bukit Ho Swee Fire had destroyed many homes and thus, SIT needed to rebuild homes for the victims. SIT was later renamed ‘Housing Development Board’ by the People’s Action Party (PAP). The new housing that HDB built comprised two bedrooms and one living hall. However, these spaces were completely bare; devoid