Director's Note (October 2026)

In 1962, Ian Fleming’s superspy came to life on the silver screen in Dr No, with Sean Connery as James Bond. There was something about Bond that ignited the imagination, and movie studios around the world rushed to exploit the public’s hunger for glamorous spies. And this is how we got Jins Shamsuddin as Jefri Zain, “Singapore’s own James Bond”.

Jefri Zain dalam Gerak Kilat (Jefri Zain in Operation Lightning) debuted in 1966 and did so well that it resulted in two sequels and a spinoff. Gerak Kilat is also notable for capturing scenes of Singapore that have since disappeared, as it was filmed entirely here. You can read all about Gerak Kilat and Jefri Zain ↗ (opens in new tab) in our cover story.

Unlike James Bond, Jefri Zain’s signature drink was not a martini, whether shaken or stirred. Perhaps it could have been a Sinalco instead. This was a highly popular drink back in the day, thanks to its unique taste and clever marketing. At one point, the factory of the National Aerated Water Company ↗ (opens in new tab) on Serangoon Road produced 40,000 bottles of the drink a day. Today, sadly, only the distinctive building is left. We hope the article on the company will be a refreshing read.

Aerated water was always a minor luxury in Singapore. It was certainly not something that was available on Rempang in the aftermath of the Second World War. Rempang ↗ (opens in new tab), an island in the Riau Archipelago, was where thousands of former Japanese soldiers were interned after Japan’s surrender while awaiting repatriation. Conditions were harsh, but some of the internees were able to view their experiences in a positive light on hindsight, as you’ll discover in the article about their time on Rempang.

Other highlights in this issue include: how the Ottoman Empire ↗ (opens in new tab) and the Turkish world were perceived in Malaya during the late 19th and early 20th centuries; Singapore’s experience of the Great Depression ↗ (opens in new tab); how the Singapore River has been captured by artists over time; and how the Singapore Police Force Band ↗ (opens in new tab) has been entertaining folks for a century.

As you can see, regardless of how you like your martini, there’s always something for you to savour in BiblioAsia.

Alicia Yeo
Director
National Library