Tuesday, October 8, 2024

How a woman holds on to her promise – and a $70m plot of land

Source Website: https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/how-woman-holds-her-promise-and-70m-plot-land
By Poong Qi Tao, qitao@sph.com.sg, The New Paper, 07 October 2024 at 01:10 pm


 Nestled among trees, Kampong Lorong Buangkok is secluded quietly in Buangkok.
PHOTO: Nestled among trees, Kampong Lorong Buangkok is secluded quietly in Buangkok.
TNP Photo by Poong Qi Tao
Picture posted by Poong Qi Tao, qitao@sph.com.sg, The New Paper on 07 October 2024 at 01:10 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wdjsOVb155_D8FsyGEo8V4ewFOfiIQ4RM3pHwjKjOYnZPwMVLSeLdpIm7u12Y7NJiNZsgsonJnt5f7HgDkB6Pnf7YOXR5IhjAxoJBLy2BnRSsMNX6fDPYbCdlodyPob2W29xPlgnkOCezkJA1FR54w0pQMXtacNJwyoPb2QbnGl0AxdpG0FJJ_aC_7c/s1128/kamponglorongbuangkok_1.png
https://tnp.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/pillarboxed_portrait/public/articles/2024/10/07/kamponglorongbuangkok.jpg?itok=xW589Kwy
https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/how-woman-holds-her-promise-and-70m-plot-land


Tucked away in the suburbs of Buangkok lies Kampong Lorong Buangkok, the last kampung in Singapore.

With birds chirping, leaves rustling and the faint chatter of residents, the kampung offers a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The original owner of the kampong, Mr Sng Teow Koon, bought the 12,248 sq m (about three football fields) plot of land in 1956.


 The original owner of the kampong, Mr Sng Teow Koon, bought the 12,248 sq m (about three football fields) plot of land in 1956.
PHOTO: The original owner of the kampong, Mr Sng Teow Koon, bought the 12,248 sq m (about three football fields) plot of land in 1956.
Photo by Najeer Yusof / Today
Picture posted by Alfred Chua, Today on 06 October 2017 - An aerial view of Kampung Buangkok
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidznciEuDCtD4i1rhCfTnCyFSxyUyXkzC7-amM0v2CI3jk7h9zahL48slpJWrzs3SjHzQXktyyn-I_JWMdz2a85QnQ2wblId-aUer6m2_lr313zM_vKCmVZB0wWktaQluxEQwevNCsMj_lClR29mR9YWKcvUBVtFkQL9bg3MdXoWLm6VanxAUsdeuJmso/s830/najeer_kgbuangkok_1.png
https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--forNsv_8--/f_auto,q_auto/c_fill,g_auto,h_622,w_830/v1/tdy-migration/najeer_kgbuangkok.jpg?itok=MfzdWnLR
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/big-read-singapores-last-kampong-villagers-cast-wary-eye-future


After his death in 1997, his four children inherited the land.

Three of them have since moved out to live in nearby HDB flats. Only his youngest child Mui Hong still lives there – 69 years and counting.

Ms Sng is the current landlord managing the remaining 26 households living in the kampung


 After his death in 1997, his four children inherited the land.
PHOTO: After his death in 1997, his four children inherited the land.
Three of them have since moved out to live in nearby HDB flats. Only his youngest child Mui Hong still lives there – 69 years and counting.
Ms Sng is the current landlord managing the remaining 26 households living in the kampung
Picture from virtualglobetrotting, google map
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsKKNaYOj5PC1gH4vd2b2tJ38v0caRwJhDXdUD8YPXxZ7JMw7IosRNQGs6okuWIXhMFZ5m6Dd20paZy395BRpTVelcIksGs5jyQTEUQbCXeoGZcIyUly7goDdNRVMtYlwpQ8ps0l6SBFjSCq30flUTNBE5YU9I35gQN6XZjmJYUmWNQU_GHZ_JgJjKT4/s1004/Lorong_Buangkok_Kampong_1.png
Lorong_Buangkok_Kampong.png
https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/kampong-lorong-buangkok/view/google/


The land was in 2022 reported by Business Insider to be valued at a staggering ＄70 million, but the 72-year-old does not want to sell it.

Feeding her pet chicken as she sat on a chair outside her kampung house, Ms Sng explained to TNP why no amount of money could convince her to sell the land.


 The land was in 2022 reported by Business Insider to be valued at a staggering $70 million, but the 72-year-old does not want to sell it.
PHOTO: The land was in 2022 reported by Business Insider to be valued at a staggering ＄70 million, but the 72-year-old does not want to sell it.
Image via @wanandzal (TikTok)
Picture posted by May Vin Ang on 01 October 2024 at 05:35 pm - Sng said she is determined to keep the village running as long as she lives. This auntie can speak very fluent Malay.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukgxYwJRcLRkwrvKwhzabKDu5DVSz-BoTGM4h5i7cO0jn7eGG7tM0QWd5wMYr8iqxf0h6PXOJE87AM6wx_3KjrsWKjCRTpNAKh-LfuXF_pMlhRLj4sA72MRxIFcGz7RkpTfY9QI7kHJqzfagfj_tg63ZgK3sBGDIyq2IIF9KZ4nN4m7WwNvh96K_gB24/s2250/d77f.jpg
https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1291078/d77f.jpg
https://says.com/my/news/last-kampung-owner-in-singapore-refuses-to-sell-land-worth-rm225-million


“My father told me not to sell the land as he wanted to pass it down to his children and grandchildren. I promised him I wouldn’t, so I’ll never break that promise.”


 Ms Sng Teow Koon also has a pet dog.
PHOTO: Ms Sng Teow Koon also has a pet dog.
TNP Photo by Poong Qi Tao - Money cannot buy character.
Picture posted by Poong Qi Tao, qitao@sph.com.sg, The New Paper on 07 October 2024 at 01:10 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bbKdX-tZ5OX40Nf7TWBkak5DvamSiKgHEdUOwfQl_UO-sz722Uo9nRevA8TCa_XfX18rWMDpZJ9z49n11iQDAOCLQf3OjqU8XH3bMTaiveSoatOXDJIIsfNIFu8onJFGiJXaVpjLc8wGo7B0OPaphfSkEchXuRE1JIhd_PFt5wDYOjUWnoemEOkcOHY/s660/kamponglorongbuangkok1.jpg
https://tnp.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_embed/public/articles/2024/10/07/kamponglorongbuangkok1.jpg?itok=HnCO-3Qi
https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/how-woman-holds-her-promise-and-70m-plot-land


She wants to pass the kampung down to the next generation of her family, who are aware of their grandfather’s wishes.

Despite having lived in the kampung for 69 years, Ms Sng remains unaware of the land's value and has no desire to find out.

“This thought has never crossed my or my siblings' minds, and I don’t want to find out,” she told TNP.


 She wants to pass the kampung down to the next generation of her family, who are aware of their grandfather’s wishes.
PHOTO: She wants to pass the kampung down to the next generation of her family, who are aware of their grandfather’s wishes.
Despite having lived in the kampung for 69 years, Ms Sng remains unaware of the land's value and has no desire to find out.
Picture posted by Jon Algie on 01 August 2017
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7S5Y4XjTlxe5z7sC0OVYmGluQoV7PcZ7rF53CqmN3zv22oRcGCCZJ1JBlWD7UqVPhADXPO9eBWmkS6YZwfpALlv65z-fAM7mhNkD_7mENzl7RrWqb7aiQbAWPfUVdzuosHTHUhp_tzZI2bFUFy44Io2_mRV8RgC_tp1NNjS3H0AfGGAuGUrIHhH7oZ4/s1000/IMG_4708.jpg
https://jonistravelling.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_4708.jpg
https://jonistravelling.com/kampong-buangkok-last-traditional-village-in-mainland-singapore/


Property agents have come knocking on her door on several occasions, but she turned them away to honour the promise made to her father.

She shared that her sole income is the monthly rental she collects from the tenants in the kampung, which ranges from ＄6.50 to ＄30 per household.

Ms Sng earns around ＄500 per month but she has no plans to increase the rent. "You can't put a price on our close-knit bond."
 
 
She added: "I grew up with every single person in the kampung. When I was young, their grandfathers were friends with my grandfather. Then, their fathers were friends with my father. We all know one another."

While she acknowledged the better living conditions urban housing offers, Ms Sng remains unfazed and has never thought of moving out.

“I’ve never thought about living splendidly, I want only a simple life,” she said, adding that everyone is welcome to visit the kampung.

“As long as you have a good heart, everything in life will be good.”
 
 

 The land was in 2022 reported by Business Insider to be valued at a staggering $70 million, but the 72-year-old does not want to sell it.
PHOTO: The land was in 2022 reported by Business Insider to be valued at a staggering $70 million, but the 72-year-old does not want to sell it.
Picture generated by Freepik AI generator with the prompt - Lorong Buangkok during the rainy season, the last kampong, dense green trees and plants with glistening raindrops, bright flowers contrasting against the wet surroundings, animals seeking shelter, dramatic dark clouds above
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuDaz0XGIZ71olRMawJScT8roMb8OQ23qJWyuja9VJquXmq9Jw7-6SIGlEXE5Z9hN_9fVjMmVpXKcoFHbfJx_ZFMXv7K12csSnowVXzv-EiLunsOI5oM28GCAH46xyKjP2OMt_B19UwnnvBm2dZs8YZphw90FiJ4P1sqNWM43DTLMI5NG-RYQtoRTBXM/s1344/Lorong_Buangkok_last_kampong_at_night_raining_1.png
Lorong_Buangkok_last_kampong_at_night_raining_1.png
https://www.freepik.com/pikaso/ai-image-generator?prompt=kampong&style=noStyle&submit=1#from_element=landing_tti
 

 She wants to pass the kampung down to the next generation of her family, who are aware of their grandfather’s wishes.
PHOTO: She wants to pass the kampung down to the next generation of her family, who are aware of their grandfather’s wishes.
Picture generated by Freepik AI generator with the prompt - Lorong Buangkok, the last kampong, surrounded by vibrant green trees and lush plants, colorful flowers in full bloom, a variety of animals like birds and squirrels playing around, a clear blue sky overhead, sunlight filtering through the leaves
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QvUCnbwtcDeU_76y1lN51pspLd3hCNQo1Q5YmxfeMbfO0l-xJTi92GIgNBS31VesdxZDYSlVk-5PpJT78g_lntY9k12YyJdu5g1C-uIuFuB-5oq2k8hgxZfmz4_-my7A12MTrA2MQmPlI9fiuDfElVskFVb7G4RB1Otic5s9UGTPB75Tzii2acsyvyM/s1344/Lorong_Buangkok_last_kampong_flowers&animals_1.png
Lorong_Buangkok_last_kampong_flowers&animals_1.png
https://www.freepik.com/pikaso/ai-image-generator?prompt=kampong&style=noStyle&submit=1#from_element=landing_tti
 

 Despite having lived in the kampung for 69 years, Ms Sng remains unaware of the land's value and has no desire to find out.
PHOTO: Despite having lived in the kampung for 69 years, Ms Sng remains unaware of the land's value and has no desire to find out.
“This thought has never crossed my or my siblings' minds, and I don’t want to find out,” she told TNP.
Picture generated by Freepik AI generator with the prompt - Lorong Buangkok, the last kampong, surrounded by vibrant green trees and lush plants, colorful flowers in full bloom, a variety of animals like birds and squirrels playing around, a clear blue sky overhead, sunlight filtering through the leaves
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XpgDaoHhOIALnwvjmpxfO5ixBjwqDe69IQCRGWqw5c4QJokIQ331-Wu0mLTWoIpXZRKg7G3Lxh-UdKEisdzrzHqxp4ifIlGThy05PbIExT2ewfpsDfo_anleml8FysjioAJomoprytFTTaFGYk5wtjesrVV260VUW5HAPtoSeRq5XsVnRvwufBak1mE/s1344/Lorong_Buangkok_last_kampong_flowers&animals_2_11.png
Lorong_Buangkok_last_kampong_flowers&animals_2.png
https://www.freepik.com/pikaso/ai-image-generator?prompt=kampong&style=noStyle&submit=1#from_element=landing_tti
 

 Tucked away in the suburbs of Buangkok lies Kampong Lorong Buangkok, the last kampung in Singapore.
PHOTO: Tucked away in the suburbs of Buangkok lies Kampong Lorong Buangkok, the last kampung in Singapore.
With birds chirping, leaves rustling and the faint chatter of residents, the kampung offers a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Picture posted by Giang Tran
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDjdH3JgrHZhLzn-kdsUZFLSFYEVpHoTssFShbxGGfS7tLv_FPYXfR4IM8InD3jZRtj0SHVv8chvpuQ3y_uDzrVE_KTDR_PFxqp9hmEMSorZBGiDmSmnhXZVYq66HRZ2Kw5UG4peu1y2T6K8BdSpSf-QyTIO548ZIuU8gblbfoGc6xxTMLTDdRMbhCcw/s1124/44262ff223e8607c4106067415645ad1_1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/44/26/2f/44262ff223e8607c4106067415645ad1.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/486670303499560902/

By Poong Qi Tao, qitao@sph.com.sg, The New Paper, 07 October 2024 at 01:10 pm
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Reference
[1] Poong Qi Tao, qitao@sph.com.sg, The New Paper, How a woman holds on to her promise – and a $70m plot of land, posted on 07 October 2024 at 01:10 pm, https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/how-woman-holds-her-promise-and-70m-plot-land


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