Ever pondered how a river could shape an entire region? Today, we’re standing at the edge of the Jurong River. It is a waterway that has done just that. This isn’t just any river. The Jurong River is a vital vein in Singapore’s industrial heartland.
The Jurong River runs through Jurong East. Its subzone shares the river’s name. The area is bounded by major roads like the Ayer Rajah Expressway.
But how did this river get its name? “Jurong” comes from Sungei Jurong. Sungei is Malay for river. The name’s origin is debated. Some say it comes from “Jerung” meaning shark. Others believe it’s from “Jurang” meaning gorge. It might even come from “Penjuru” meaning corner.
Before the 1960s Jurong was uncharted territory. Swamps dominated the coastline. Wildlife thrived here. Commodore Perry described a land of low hills and shallow valleys.
In the past Jurong was a small district. It was known as West Bukit Timak Mukim. The name changed to Jurong Mukim. This likely referred to the Jurong settlement at the Jurong River’s head.
The Jurong River splits into two streams. These streams marked Jurong East and West. They were known as Jurong and Peng Kang.
Today the mangrove swamps are smaller. They are located at the mouth of Sungei Pandan. These untouched fringes hold the last wildlife. Nature enthusiasts still visit here.
The Jurong River and Sungei Pandan flow into larger water bodies. These are Jurong Lake and Pandan Reservoir. Both rivers originate from Selat Jurong. It is a strait south of mainland Singapore and north of Jurong Island.
Sungei Ulu Pandan is a western branch of Sungei Pandan. It flows from Jurong East. It passes through Clementi. It ends at Queenstown.
The Jurong River flows out of Jurong Lake. This happens via a stream west of the lake. The Jurong Canal is directly north of the lake. The canal separates Jurong East and West.
The river played a role in ancient maritime routes. The “Selat Sembilan” was east of the Strait of Malacca. This suggests Jurong’s straits were part of the maritime Silk Road.
Before 1819 small settlements existed here. The Orang Laut lived here. Immigrants came from the Dutch East Indies and Malaya.
After colonization Jurong had a small population. Chinese and Malay migrants lived along the Jurong River and Sungei Pandan. Most Chinese residents spoke Hokkien. They came from Anxi County. Teochew speakers also settled here.
John Turnbull Thomson described the area. He noted many Chinese and Malay villages along the Sungei Jurong.
Jurong Road connected the villages to Singapore Town. The first sections were paved between 1852 and 1853. By 1936 the road reached Tuas.
In 1853 Matthew C Perry led an expedition to Japan. His fleet stopped at Selat Sembilan and Sungei Jurong. Wilhelm Heine and Eliphalet Brown created an image of the villages along Sungei Jurong. It showed a forest fire in the background.
Before industrialization plantations dominated. Crops included pineapple pepper gambier and nutmeg. Gambier was a key export. Rubber plantations replaced gambier later. Fishing was also important. Prawn farms thrived along the rivers.
Before the 1960s Jurong had heavy industry. Brickworks were common. Jurong Brickworks was one of Singapore’s largest manufacturers.
The Number 101 Special Training School was located at the mouth of Sungei Jurong. It trained personnel in sabotage and espionage. It prepared them for resistance against Japanese forces.
Post-war Singapore faced economic challenges. Dr Goh Keng Swee believed industrialization was the solution. Jurong Industrial Estate was born.
In 1962 Dr Goh Keng Swee laid the foundation for National Iron and Steel Mills. Many doubted his plan. They called it “Goh’s Folly”. But factories soon emerged.
Jurong Port became operational in 1965. The Jurong Town Corporation managed Jurong’s development. Seven islets merged to create Jurong Island. It became a hub for oil chemical and petrochemical industries.
The first flats in Jurong Town appeared in Taman Jurong. Jurong East and West developed later.
Today the Jurong River is a testament to Singapore’s transformation. From swamps to industrial powerhouse. This river’s journey is a reflection of Singapore’s own.