Lawyer? Magistrate? Ahli Muzik?
Kassim Rahmat was born on 10 August 1934 at Block 62, Asiatic Workers Accommodation Quarters, (Naval Base) situated at Jalan Kedai. He was among the first generation of children born there. However, in 1951, his father passed away and his family had to resettle outside the Naval Base but were lucky to be allowed the continued use of the amenities at the Naval Base. Subsequently in 1960s, his family moved to Jalan Kerong between Andrews Avenue and Jalan Wak Hassan. Kassim Selamat did not receive any secular education but went to madrasah to receive religious education, but was unable to complete his education there.
At the age of 14, he applied for a job at the Naval Base. Knowing that the minimum age then was 16 years, he added two years to his age in his application. It was only after he was given the job he applied for, that he revealed his true age! Kassim Rahmat worked as a messenger/office boy from November 1948 to June 1951. From June 1951, he was transfered and worked as a trained fitter at H.M Dockyard, Naval Base. He was promoted to engine fitter in 1956 and continued in this position until November 1968. His duties included repairing engines of ships such as the Naval Frigate and Destroyer, and those of aircraft carriers, cargo ships and even submarines. After the Sembawang Shipyard took over from the Naval Base, he was promoted to Special Grade Fitter in 1976 and continued to work there until 1981. Besides an established career at the Naval Base, Kassim Rahmat also pursued his passion - singing. Today, already in his late 70s, Kassim is still passionate about singing. He still performs in public, entertaining the crowds at weddings, birthday functions and trade fairs. Kassim was also credited for participating in several fund raising events across the causeway i.e "Konsert Amal Tsunami 60an" (Tsunami 60's Charity Concert).
Who are The Swallows:
The Swallows were initially an Instrumental Rock band from Singapore. It was formed at Kampung Penempatan Melayu Singapura (Sembawang) in 1960. Based on the songwriting partnership of Affandi Haji A. Rahman (drums) and Yusof Rahmat (Rhythm guitar/Piano), the band also included Yahaya Galib (Lead Guitar/Saxaphone) and Hamid Ba'ahs (Bass Guitar). Their last frontman was Kassim Rahmat. (Aka Kassim Slamat) In 1966, the Baweanese songs entitled La Obe and Angkok-angkok Bilis (Created by Haji Affandi A. Rahman/Haji Yusope Lamat partnership) took the Malay music industry by storm. Their black and white sleeve EP was a huge hit and ruled the Singaporean and Malaysian airwaves for three months. He added that even though there were three other bands in the Sembawang area (Les Capules, Sweet Charity and The Blue Bird), they did not compete with one another to perform during events or special occasions.
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The Swallows jacket as seen on the A-Solo Ka EP sleeve. This jacket was donated by Hj. Kassim Rahmat for display at The Malay Heritage Centre, Singapore. |
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Surat lawatan muhibah kepulau Bawean dari
PBS yang masih disimpan Hj. Kassim Rahmat. |
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| Rombongan PBS di dermaga lama. Boom, Bawean. |
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| Kassim Slamat bersama peminat di Bawean. |
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| Lagu La-obe merantau jauh ke Bawean. |
Extracted from Hadijah Rahmat's The Last Kampung Mosque in Singapore. Some passages contained in Hadijah's book has been updated/revised by M. Erwin.
