DOWN MEMORY LANE: KG WAK HASSAN, SINGAPORE (1980'S)

In the 1980s, Kampung Wak Hassan was a rare sanctuary of rustic, seaside life—a stark contrast to the rapid high-rise urbanization happening in the rest of Singapore. Located at the northern tip of Sembawang, it was one of the last few "survivor" villages, eventually holding out until 1998.

I still remember the kampung from that era, i would likely recall these specific sights and sounds. I was a Royal Malaysian Navy personnel stationed with the Navy ship at Woodlands during that era (1980's):

1. A Living Shoreline

Unlike the reclaimed, concrete edges of modern Singapore, the 1980s coastline here was natural and wild.

• The Sea Wall: A low stone wall protected the village from the Straits of Johor. Many residents would sit here in the evenings to catch the breeze.
• The Catch of the Day: Fishermen from Johor would often motor across the straits to sell fresh grouper and kembong (mackerel) directly to the villagers.
• Nature’s Playground: At low tide, the sandy shores were alive with soldier crabs and children digging for clams or catching small fish.

2. The Village Layout

The kampung was a mix of Malay, Chinese (mostly Teochew), and Indian families, often cited as a "model village" for its racial harmony.

• The Architecture: Most houses were wooden with zinc roofs, some painted in bright colors. Many were built on stilts to accommodate the uneven, sandy terrain.
• Jalan Kampong Wak Hassan: This was the main asphalt road (opened in 1966), but the side lanes remained bumpy, sandy paths filled with potholes that made cycling a skill.
• Ah Gong’s Provision Shop: A central hub for the community where neighbors gathered to chat. The owner’s family had been there since before WWII.

3. The "Gotong Royong" Spirit

The 1980s was a decade where the "village spirit" was still very much alive before residents were resettled to HDB flats in Yishun and Sembawang.

• Open Doors: It was a time when doors were rarely locked, and neighbors shared food and looked out for each other’s children.
• Celebrations: Weddings and festive occasions were village-wide events, with everyone pitching in to cook and decorate.

4. Relics and Mystery

Even in the '80s, the village felt like it was haunted by history.

• The "Gate to Nowhere": Many remember a grand, decaying gate belonging to a former luxury bungalow (once owned by the boss of Cycle & Carriage). It stood as a lonely reminder of the area's pre-war colonial opulence.
• Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang: Built in 1963, this mosque served the village and still stands today as one of the last "kampung mosques" in Singapore.

What remains today?

While the village was cleared in 1998 to make way for the luxury landed houses of the Wak Hassan Estate, a few echoes remain:

• The Road Sign: A small stretch of road still bears the name Kampong Wak Hassan.
• The Beach: The stretch of sand at Sembawang Park is one of the few natural beaches left on the mainland.
• Woody Family Café: A local institution that keeps some of the old Sembawang "ulu" (remote) charm alive nearby.

As a Royal Malaysian Navy personnel in 1980's, I was a part of this unique chapter in history, a time when Malaysia maintained a sovereign military base (KD Malaya) and Royal Malaysian Navy Jetty at Malaysian Base Jetty (now Woodlands Waterfront) in Woodlands, right in the heart of Singapore, long after the two countries had separated. 

Since Kampung Wak Hassan was just a short distance along the coast from the Woodlands base, it likely felt like a "home away from home" for many of the sailors. 

When I were on the deck of RMN Ship KD Raja Jarom (1981/82) at RMN Base Jetty at Woodlands, looking east towards Sembawang, would see the low-lying shoreline of Kampung Wak Hassan with its wooden Jetties poking out into the water. 

For a sailor stationed at Woodlands, Kampung Wak Hassan was the "escape" just down the road.

• Makan and Lepak: Many sailors would head to the kampung or the nearby Sembawang Village (the "Strip") for a break. The stalls at Kampung Wak Hassan were famous for authentic, home-cooked Malay food—nasi lemak or mee rebus—that tasted like home.
• A Shared Community: Many RMN personnel actually lived in the surrounding area or had friends in the kampung. The Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang was a spiritual anchor for the Malay sailors, and it’s where the military and civilian communities truly blended.
• The Shoreline: You would have seen the village from the water every time your ship pulled out of the Straits. The sight of the zinc roofs and the "Gate to Nowhere" was a landmark for every sailor navigating those waters.

The mid-80s was a bittersweet time. The move to Lumut, Perak meant saying goodbye to the "Woodlands Life". 

In September 1984, the RMN ensign was lowered at Woodlands for the last time as the official HQ, though training and some operations continued there for another decade.

For many veterans, Woodlands wasn't just a base; it was where the RMN was "born" and where the bonds with the local Singaporean villagers were the strongest.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

ex RMN Personnel stationed at Singapore (1980's)

30/12/2025: 10.25 p.m