Sorotan buku: Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay Childhood

Gedung Kuning or the Yellow Mansion was home to the family of Haji Yusoff ‘Tali Pinggang' from 1912 to 1999. It was acquired by the Singapore government in August 1999 under the Land Acquisition Act. What used to house six families is now preserved as a historic building under the Malay Heritage Centre.

Hidayah Amin, one of Haji Yusoff's great-granddaughters, revisits her childhood home and takes readers beyond the gate guarded by stone eagles, through rooms with big mirrors and marble floors, and shares interesting anecdotes growing up in Gedung Kuning.

Through 28 short stories, readers get a historical narrative detailing the lives of people living in Gedung Kuning and the Malays of Singapore from 1850s to 1999.

Tempat jatuh lagi dikenang, inikan pula tempat bermain. Itulah permulaan ayat di laman Gedung Kuning.

Gedung Kuning is indeed as regal as its name. It stood strong during the Japanese Occupation from 1942-1945. It has witnessed the births, deaths, graduations and weddings of three generations of Haji Yusoff’s family.

It shared the joys and sadness of the family. Its garden hosted flowering plants and trees like rambutan, papaya and mango whose delicious fruits were shared with friends and neighbours. Its mighty hall reverberated with pride to Quranic verses read during religious ceremonies. Its gate welcomed the poor who came to ask for alms. Gedung Kuning is testimony of a family legacy.

Buku Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay Childhood tebalnya 240 halaman, mempunyai lebih 70 keping foto, 7 lukisan arkitektural dan 5 peta. Harga RM 59.00.

Rumah Gedung Kuning, milik Haji Yusoff 'Tali Pinggang' adalah rumah bersejarah yang sudah diwartakan sebagai salah satu khazanah negara republik Singapura sejak 1999. Haji Yusoff telah mengubah corak reka bentuk rumah ini dengan artifak dari kepulauan Melayu, lalu digabungkan dengan seni reka bentuk Asia, Eropah dan Africa.

Rumah ini masih tegak berdiri ketika penjajahan Jepun di Singapura sejak 1942 hingga 1945 dan ia hidup dengan upacara keagamaan suatu masa dahulu termasuk ia sangat meraikan golongan fakir miskin dengan menjemput mereka makan beramai-ramai.

"Sehingga ke hari terakhir, keluarga Haji Yusof keluar dari rumah ini, Gedung Kuning masih tegak berdiri megah dengan warga diraja bersama perhiasannya," tulisan Hidayah dipetik melalui laman web gedungkuning.com.

(Masih keletihan lantaran sesi katering di tiga lokasi semalam; BK6A, Bandar Kinrara; Taman Botani, Putrajaya; dan Bandar Putra Permai, Seri Kembangan. Selesai tugas sekitar jam 12.30 pagi.)