Singaporeans Find Long-Lost Family, 75 Years After ‘White Australia’ Policy Tore Them Apart

Armed with only their grandmother’s maiden name, Singaporean siblings Samson Zee and Lela Zainal had always wondered about her mysterious family she’d left behind in Australia nearly 75 years ago.
When they started to search for answers in earnest, they discovered that their grandfather, Jacob Abdullah, was a mariner who had served the Australian navy during World War II - but was deported shortly after under the racist ‘White Australia Policy’. His Australian wife and children followed him to Singapore.
Now the siblings and their cousin meet their kin Down Under for the first time.
About the series: The Exiles reveals untold stories of love and loss during an era of racially motivated deportations from post-war UK and Australia, where Asian men were forcibly removed from their homes and families.
My Stolen Chinese Father: Victims Of UK's Racist Past: • My Stolen Chinese Fath...
The Untold Generational Trauma From The 'White Australia Policy': • The Untold Generationa...
=========
Have feedback or an idea for a story? Email [e-mail]
For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER!
cna.asia/insid...
Follow CNA INSIDER on:
Instagram: / cnainsider
Facebook: / cnainsider
Website: cna.asia/cnain...

[@OldSoul2779]

I am so happy Uncle Ross found his nephews before he passed away. 66 years of compiling information. He must have passed away a happy man.

[@Fledermausmann]

A very touching story. I really feel for Samson and Izat, to not know who you are or where you come from is a dark cloud to have hanging over you. I find it incredible that once they made their way into the room, you could immediately see that they were related. I'm very glad that Uncle Ross got to see his nephews here in Singapore and fulfill what I'm sure was one of his life long dreams. I wish the family the best. However, this video just serves as a reminder of the hugely destructive racist policies of the past and a warning that they should not be repeated in the future.

[@jlow2728]

Congratulations to the family on their reunion! Thanks to the family and CNA for sharing this beautiful story.

[@sardonicshell]

Cried buckets watching this. Very happy that Samson & Izat found and reconnected with family over in Australia. Very glad that Uncle Ross found closure before he passed on. Rest in peace Uncle Ross.

[@soonpohtay4794]

What travesty…Australian Govt deporting Australian Indigeneous women..

[@twitteringothers5059]

Nope. The husband was deported. His wife followed him.

[@carolinenguyen7360]

Congratulations to the family as after all those years they have each other again! Hope we can teach our children that racism is evil that could torn people apart.

[@AznMami4u]

Me as a stranger watching this is so elated and move with this story. So happy for the closure, the love is so beautiful!

[@LongChangChris]

Hello dear

[@agymayachelonia8381]

I remember watching the 2 part CNA special on this family. So touching to see them reunite.

[@edouard-josephpeltiergarci8583]

Absolutely a very heart wrenching story to watch and not feel very sadden and grateful at the same time.

[@armandob.castenelli3525]

Here I am, eating and watching this. My food lost its flavor. 😭 What humans do to other humans is unforgivable.

[@noona8184]

me too.. i'm crying while eating my food 😭

[@s._3560]

Same case as the other CNA Insider documentary about Chinese sailors who served British in Liverpool in WW2. They were also deported to Singapore after the war.

[@mikestravelshow]

Such a touching story. Congratulations 🎊 on the reunion.

[@lunastarr1925]

somthankful for modern technology gadget to be able to see d video footage of deportation day 1948😢😢😢😢

[@badabadabanana]

rest in peace uncle ross🙏🏻🙏🏻 you seemed like a great person

[@yusyaidah]

We need a movie of aunty Mercia !

[@mycooltube1912]

Wow this is miraculous

[@hypothalapotamus5293]

People should remember that draconian immigration policies have real human consequences. I am Chinese American (my ancestors were monitored under the Chinese exclusion act) so I have great sympathy for the people in this video, but I also need to accept some collective responsibility for what happens on my country's southern border as modern Australians need to look at their governments actions.

[@lunastarr1925]

beautiful sri lankan sisters...and handsome uncle ross too glad they managed to put all d lineage pieces together❤❤❤❤

[@twitteringothers5059]

Not Sri Lankan. They are Indigenous Australians.

[@khairurejal]

Them onions again ....

[@jingmok]

What a great story

[@dayahsam8880]

Preparing tissue 😢

[@Oc4ever12]

Shame on Australia!

[@abdulrajaf6]

Nothing Can Stop Being a FAMILY....No MATTER how high or RICH we are FAMILY MATTERS is IMPORTANT....(I've BEEN in this Situation 30yrs ago...also XS'porean...HAPPY i FOUND BACK My ROOTS....Back..)...

[@skyescene21]

can understand the identity crisis you faced but unfortunately in sg all people care about is what race printed on the ic. glad you managed to trace your lineage too!

[@mdee8784]

Ironically today Australia is unbelievably racially diverse with the largest Chinese percentage of population in the Western world and an Asian population at almost 20% of it’s population. Today Singapore’s “others” category is a minuscule few percent by comparison..

[@carlalexander2]

What's your source?

[@mdee8784]

@@carlalexander2 Australian Bureau of Statistics that conducts the mandatory census every 5 years. Go have a look yourself. 17.4% of Australia is Asian according to 2021 census. Australia’s Chinese population percentage is higher than both Canada and the U.S at 5.5% of the Australian population. Canada 4.4% and U.S 0.86%..

[@Tan92lfc]

According to constitution you A Malay

[@scaleartsg]

what a boomer comment

[@Michalis1948]

In reality, we are earth human. Constitution is man made. Human carry a soul. Soul carry a spiritual light body in energy form. Life goes on forever in different dimensions.