Singapore Malaya Timber Tongkang with QEII Cypher

 

SINGAPORE MALAYA issued in 1955 a series of stamps featuring  Queen Elizabeth II cypher with various cultural references to Singapore. Shown here is a lilac coloured, 10c stamp depicting a timber 'tongkang'. These boats were used to carry goods along rivers and shoreline in Maritime Southeast Asia. 

 

One of the earliest records of a tongkang can be traced back to the 14th century, which was mentioned in "Malay Annals", no earlier than 17th century. One passage mentioned it as being used by Majapahit Empire during the 1350 attack on Singapura.