Pulau Tekukor

Pulau Tekukor
Name transcription(s)
• Chinese	德固哥岛
• Malay	Pulau Tekukor
• Tamil	தேகுகொர் தீவு
Pulau Tekukor Location of Pulau Tekukor within Singapore
Coordinates: 1°13′51″N 103°50′16″E
Country	Singapore

Pulau Tekukor (Turtle Dove Island) is one of the Southern Islands of Singapore formerly serving as an island warehouse for explosives[1] and ammunition. The island was also known as Pulau Penyabung (formerly Pulau Penyabong) - island for deadly duels[2] - with legends of it being a pirate-infested area.

There have been former proposals to turn the island into a residential area, resort or eco-park (Monkey Island).

Etymology

Pulau Tekukor is believed to be named after the spotted-neck dove - Tekukur (as it is spelt today).

Other sources believe its name originated from the Malay proverb "padang jarak padang tekukor" - which is reported to translate to "open field devastated in aftermath of war" due to the island's barren nature.[3] However, this may contain translation errors.

At the time, the island was uninhabited due to the lack of tree growth, and the hillocks were barren except for small undergrowth.

References

1. NewspaperSG. (n.d.)., PSA acts to stop erosion on island, The Straits Times, 29 December 1984, Page 15
2. NewspaperSG. (n.d.). Of pirates and warriors, The New Paper, 30 May 1990, Page 20
3. NewspaperSG. (n.d.). Page 7 Advertisements Column 3, The Straits Times, 6 November 1990, Page 7

External links

• Monkey Island