Sept 25, 2005
Beach kampung
Squatter-campers have to leave Changi Beach Park by tomorrow
By Melissa Sim
FOR odd-job worker Danny, home is three tents pitched on Changi
Beach.
The yellow one is his living room, the blue his bedroom, and the
red functions as a kitchen-cum-storeroom.
Over the last few months, he has bought a gas stove and added a
plastic garden set to his sea-side retreat. He tries to catch fish
when he has no money for food.
The 39-year-old, who spent seven years in jail for fighting and was
released last February, is one of about a dozen people who have
turned part of Changi Beach Park into a shanty town.
Some have pitched their tents there for months, but said they have
been told by the National Parks Board rangers to clear out by
tomorrow. NParks could not be contacted for comment
yesterday.
The campers moved there after it did away with camping permits last
December. Although NParks rangers have asked them to leave several
times before, they generally appease the rangers by keeping the
area clean.
The police also make their rounds regularly and check their
passports but do not disturb them beyond that.
According to the campers, at least two people have already moved
out of their makeshift kampung, a patchwork of red, blue and green
tents located on the beach in front of carparks 1 and 2.
Danny, who has been living there for eight months, said that after
his release from prison, he slept in void decks and stairwells
until his friend suggested he camp out at Changi Beach. In a good
week, he gets paid $50 for doing odd jobs.
Like the others, he bathes in the sea or in the public toilets 200m
away.
When The Sunday Times visited yesterday, clothes were hanging out
to dry on lines straddling the coconut trees and some campers were
dining alfresco. A few were discussing a Lianhe Zaobao newspaper
report yesterday on their hideaway, and did not want to be
interviewed.
One of the few who spoke was Mr Sahidan Sakyon, 55. He said he was
waiting for the Housing Board to approve his application to rent a
flat. He said he lived with relatives after leaving his two-room
HDB flat in Taman Jurong to his wife after divorcing her two years
ago.
But because of the cramped living conditions, he and his second
wife, who is 28 and five months pregnant, moved to the beach a
month ago.
He said: 'We're not proud people, and we don't mind. We can use the
public toilet for free and can get water from there. There are no
mosquitoes and there are street lights at night so we can
see.'
The security guard, who says he earns $1,100 a month, told The
Sunday Times that he might rent a room in his friend's Bedok flat
for $300 if he is chased out. 'I hope I get to stay two more weeks,
maybe I can get my flat by then.'
As for Danny, he broke into tears when asked about his plans. He
said: 'I like living here. It's peaceful.'
