01/09/2026
Mr Tan arrives at Bedok Jetty every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 6 AM. He stakes out his favourite spot, under a small shelter in the shade, and sets up five reels, unfolds his camping chair, and opens his umbrella.
He once pulled a 30kg stingray from the far end of the jetty and had to pass the rod down a line of other anglers to beach it. Another time, a small shark. He usually brings his catch home as lunch.But he'll be the first to tell you that fishing isn't really about the fish. He's been training himself to arrive expecting nothing — just the view, the sea air, and whatever the morning brings. If the reels stay still, that's fine with him too.
Bedok Jetty has also become a community for Mr Tan and other anglers. They greet each other by name, share bait, and exchange stories while waiting for their reels to get a tug.
He cycles from Bedok North to the jetty for every session, balancing two large styrofoam boxes with all his equipment. He treats it as his daily exercise, about 35 minutes each way.
When Mr Tan isn’t fishing, he listens to the news. He’s deeply interested in understanding the world and finding the truth in current affairs and is able to talk at length about various world politicians.
This story is part of our Take on Today series, celebrating the unstoppable, vibrant seniors of Singapore and the freedom to live every single day on your own terms.
