The Sunday Times: NParks steps in to spruce up Ubin's charm

By: Melody Zaccheus, Housing and Heritage Correspondent (Nov 24th, 2019)

Pulau Ubin's kampung landscape is being given a boost with moves underway by the National Parks Board (NParks) to restore seven homes and an old coffee shop in its town centre.

The project kicked off last month and is addressing problems such as leaking roofs, damaged floorboards and broken windows.

In some cases - such as house no. 239 in Jalan Endut Senin - the structures will be given a top-to-toe restoration in what is the first major initiative by NParks to maintain occupied homes on the island.

The exterior of house No. 239 at Jalan Endut Senin after restoration works.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Six of the seven long-term occupants of the homes have died over the past year or so with their next of kin in the process of taking over the tenancies.

For instance, the former occupant of No. 239 was Mr Tan Leong Kiat, who died at age 89 in May last year. His son, ice-kachang hawker Alvin Tan, 54, will take over the unit's licence.

Mr Tan believes the restoration work will help him and his 84-year old mother carry on his father's legacy and live the kampung life. The duo, who have homes in mainland Singapore, will stay in Ubin on weekends and public holidays.

Mr Tan's father, a true-blue kampung boy, had reared pigs and ducks on Pulau Ubin and then later started growing herbs within his compound, selling the herbs, as well as drinks to thirsty cyclists and trekkers.

The house is known for its large, yellow road-facing signboard: "Oh yeh oh yeh y u so like that! Buy a drink la".

Mr Tan said: "We have lived here for more than 20 years and love this kampung. It holds fond memories. My mother and I are very happy and satisfied with the restoration works, as it means that we can continue to live on the island."

Malaysian contractor Wong Choong Wah, who has experience repairing kampung homes, was brought in for the project. The one-storey, three-bedroom structure now boasts new wooden panelling, as well as a new zinc roof.

In keeping with tradition, simple wooden planks were installed in its bedrooms to serve as a base for their mattresses. Two sheds within the compound that house generators and other miscellaneous items were also rebuilt.

NParks has been working with heritage experts such as Assistant Professor Imran Tajudeen of the National University of Singapore's Department of Architecture, anthropologist Vivienne Wee and the Singapore Heritage Society's Dr Chua Ai Lin.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, NParks said suggestions were made by members of the Friends of Ubin Network (FUN) to carry out restoration and repair works on the houses. Villagers had also approached NParks for assistance to repair their homes.

The network comprises individuals representing different aspects of Pulau Ubin including its culture, heritage and biodiversity. After discussions with villagers and FUN, NParks carried out safety inspections and started the works.

NParks said it consulted Prof Imran, via FUN, on the restoration works for the Malay houses as he is an expert in Malay architecture.

Among other things, the construction work will remain faithful to the original designs and materials used.

Dr Wee said the NParks initiative is a vital first step in reviving the land's fabric and way of life, which is at high risk of disappearing for good as its ageing population dies out. According to her, just 34 of its original occupants remain. Ubin used to be home to 2,000 or more residents.

NParks said around 130 people are either living or working on the island and that are about 70 kampung houses there.

Dr Wee added: "We very much hope that these Ubin homes will not be emptied out. It is very important that we support and allow the villagers to revive their original way of life through community projects and flexible policies.

"In Singapore, we talk a lot about the kampung spirit but kampung spirit needs an actual kampung as a body. Revitalising Ubin is not just for its residents but to Singaporeans as a society connect with each other in making sense of who we are."

Also up for repairs is the century-old traditional Malay wooden house of housewife Kamariah Abdullah, 60, at 760-D Kampung Durian. She and her sister conduct private cooking classes at the house.

The dining area of housewife Kamariah Abdullah's house at 760-D Kampung Durian, which is up for repairs.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Madam Kamariah said she is grateful to get some help to repair the ageing structure that she grew up in, noting that it often takes a batter from strong winds and rain, as well as other forces of nature - such as monkeys who have destroyed parts of her roof.

She said it can cost thousands of dollars to buy materials and pay for hiring a bumboat and lorries.

"The leaking roof means our ancestor's wooden furniture is subjected to rainwater damage. Our windows and floorboards are also breaking apart in areas," Madam Kamariah added.

NParks is also working on restoring five unoccupied kampung houses. It is working with FUN and community groups as to how they can be repurposed.

Dr Wee said she hopes to see Ubin villagers and their younger family members band together to better understand how Ubin's kampung spirit developed over the course of its history.

"True revitalisation of Ubin will require its community to lead the way in discovering who the builders of the kampung homes originally were, and their individual and interlinked family histories and stories, among other things, " she added.

"Fixing the houses is a good first step. The next step is to fill them with soul and to take into account the fact that the homes have always been a part of a wider social context."

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Read more news articles like this in the "Ubin In The News" series!

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May Pulau Ubin thrive again, with its people in its heart.

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