Over the Buangkok Flyover cars rush. Below a different story unfolds. Kampong Lorong Buangkok a small village clings to life. This is Singapore’s last kampong on the mainland. It’s a hidden world of zinc roofs and dirt roads. A stark contrast to the modern high-rises that surround it.
The kampong’s history stretches back to 1956. A traditional Chinese medicine seller bought the land. He rented it to Malay and Chinese families. Slowly a village grew. At its peak 40 families called it home.
Life in the kampong was simple. People worked nearby. They had their own farms. They raised poultry. They helped each other. This spirit of gotong royong mutual assistance helped build homes and navigate life’s challenges. Today fewer families remain. They pay low rent. Some even pay in fruits and rice.
The kampong has seen floods. The low-lying land near the Punggol River often overflows. It earned the nickname Kampong Selak Kain lift up your sarong in Malay. Floods damaged homes and belongings. Yet the residents persevered. They showed resilience.
The kampong’s future is uncertain. The land is earmarked for development. Some want to save this last vestige of traditional village life. Others see the need for progress. The Buangkok Flyover speeds over the kampong. A symbol of a changing Singapore. Yet beneath it lies a story of community and survival. A reminder of a simpler time. A story that will be told for generations.