MP calls for preservation of last kampung in SG

FireIce SG

The last kampung on Singapore's mainland should be preserved as a conservation site or heritage education site, said Ms Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio GRC).

She called on the Government yesterday to conserve Kampung Lorong Buangkok, which is slated to make way for a major road and two schools in future. "Surely we can explore ways where the kampung can co-exist and, in fact, enhance and bring value to urban life," she said.

There are currently 26 families living in Kampung Lorong Buangkok, which occupies about 1.22ha of land and is located in Ms Intan's Jalan Kayu ward.

She suggested that the kampung be integrated within the two schools that are being planned.

"The kampung and its residents should be allowed to carry on their lives, but it can play the additional role of a community living lab, for our students to learn about our shared history, culture and traditions, race relations, and experience for themselves values-in-action such as communal living, the spirit of neighbourliness and community activism," she said.

She also proposed that the People's Association or the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth consider taking ownership of the kampung after the current generation of residents have passed on.

Overnight camps can be held at the kampung in future, she added.

Responding to her adjournment motion, Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said there is no intention to implement these developments in the near future.

The Government will engage residents when the time comes, he said, adding: "Some may not want to move away from the kampung, but they may also not want their community to be turned into an educational or heritage attraction drawing crowds of curious visitors."

Ms Intan also asked the National Development Ministry to consider shelving plans to build a new road on a strip of land next to Seletar Springs condominium, and convert the green area into a linear nature park instead. Mr Lee replied that there is a critical need for the new road to relieve potential traffic congestion in future, as nearly 10,000 new homes will be completed in nearby housing estates by 2022.

Reds.union SG

I'm Malaysian, where i work is populated by Orang Asli, the aborigine, i can tell you this... "now where got kampung anymore??? what is kampung actually? Even orang asli now every minutes look at smartphones, and gamble"