Besides coming to Singapore to work and make money, the early
settlers also contributed significantly to the development of
Singapore. Together, they helped to make Singapore a flourishing
trading centre. Trade: They brought straits produce like coffee,
birds nests, spices and rice from the East Indies to Singapore.
Straits produce are the products that are grown in the East
Indies. These Straits produce helped to widen the variety of
goods being traded between Singapore and other countries.
Therefore, trade Education: Some Malays who were educated worked
as journalists or teachers. Among them was the famous Munshi
Abdullah. He could speak many languages and he also wrote books
about the early Singapore. Malays were also expert boat-
builders. Besides making boats for traders, they also served as
sailors and officers on the ships. Others worked as policemen,
fishermen and watchmen. Some Chinese businessmen acted as
middlemen between the British and the non-English speaking They
bought straits produce from the