Monday, 14 July 2025
SG Heritage Activist and a secret palace Istana Woodneuk 歷史保護積極分子與一座被遺棄的...
Untold histories of Istana Woodneuk
When Sir Stamford Raffles said Singapore was just a small fishing village, people back then just accepted it. The history we learnt in school was so flat and boring, I failed my history lessons. I’ve always been a logical person. Memorising stories without any real, physical things to see just didn’t work for me. That was my weakness in humanities. But I was good with numbers, and that’s how I became an engineer.
Ironically, my search for my roots brought me back to history. This journey led me to many Istanas and hidden heritage places in Singapore. Today, I celebrate history in my own way, by sharing why it’s so important to not just appreciate our past, but to use whatever tools we have to protect and keep Singapore’s stories alive for the future.
I started off by sharing the history of our nation, from when we were probably marked by Ptolemy as ‘Sabana Emporio’ all the way to stories about Sungai Bras Basah and how Orchard Road developed. I talked about land ownership too from the ‘drain-pans’ of Stamford Canal where Sungai Bras Basah begins, to the land William Napier owned before passing it on to Maharaja Abu Bakar. His descendants still hold on to that land today!
The idea behind these tour stories today is not just about Istana Woodneuk, but about the bigger picture of Singapore’s history. The stories that didn’t just start in 1819 or 1299, but go way back to the age of sail.
Trust me, if there was no land swap idea between Tengku Ismail Idris & SLA this year, this tour wouldn’t be half as interesting as what you see in these photos. Like I have said, history can be dry on paper, but when you stand on the actual ground, it’s like the stories come alive.
My trip with Temasek Rural Explorer Enthusiast.
Friday, 4 July 2025
Rail Corridor 22km Heritage Walk: 28th June 2025
Today we completed our Half Marathon Heritage Hike along the Green Corridor. The weather was excellent, and we were even greeted at the endpoint with a refreshing light drizzle, a perfect way to end our journey. Congratulations to everyone who joined us! More than just a park, the Rail Corridor is a living reminder of Singapore’s colonial past and its growth as a regional transport hub. The former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station is now a National Monument, and Bukit Timah Railway Station has been restored as a heritage node for all to enjoy.
On this walk, we rediscovered the deep-rooted history behind the Rail Corridor, once the artery of Singapore’s early development. We learned about the diverse communities that lived along the tracks, where a multi-racial spirit was shaped by the railway’s growth. We also came to appreciate the unique flora and fauna that have evolved alongside this historic line since 1902, forming an ecosystem all its own.
Some participants had to leave early due to unforeseen circumstances, but taking that first step and showing up already makes you a finisher in spirit. Thank you for sharing your stories with me along the way, these memories and anecdotes will continue to grow with every walk, and I will always pass them on to the next group, keeping alive the many untold stories of the Railway Corridor.
Early Railway History:
Originally part of the Federated Malay States Railways (FMSR), Singapore’s railway line was completed in 1903, connecting Singapore to Johor Bahru. The iconic Tanjong Pagar Railway Station opened in 1932, replacing the earlier Tank Road Station and becoming a key gateway for goods and people.
End of an Era:
In 2011, the railway line ceased operations, and the land was returned to Singapore. The last train departed from Tanjong Pagar on 30 June 2011, marking the close of a significant chapter in the nation’s transport history.
Transformation into a Corridor:
Today, the Rail Corridor is a continuous green space stretching from Woodlands in the north to Tanjong Pagar in the south. It has become a beloved trail for walking, hiking, and cycling, with ongoing enhancements to preserve its heritage and natural beauty.
Photo Credit: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tanjong-pagar-ktm-trains-journey-past-sachinder-mohan-sharma/
Future Plans: The Rail Corridor is envisioned as a place where communities can come together, forge new memories, and stay connected to both nature and the stories of our shared past.
A special thank you to Zaili Mohama Din for capturing all our moments so beautifully and framing these wonderful group memories. Our next, the ninth Green Corridor Walk will be held in November, so for those who missed this one, we hope to see you then!
#GreenCorridorSG #RailCorridorSG #SingaporeRailway #WalkTheRailCorridor #SingaporeHeritage #RailwayHeritage #OurRailwayStories #UntoldStoriesSG #HiddenHistoriesSG #PreserveOurHeritage #NatureInTheCity #UrbanWildlifeSG #GreenTrailsSG #ExploreSGNature #HeritageWalkSG #WalkWithNatureSG
We are now standing at the front porch of the carriage way of Istana Woodneuk—a place that once bore witness to the arrival of dignitaries, diplomats, and honoured guests from across the region. This doorway, though weathered by time, likely saw the ceremonial entry of Malay rulers, British officials, and esteemed visitors who came to pay respect to the Sultan of Johor during the palace’s golden era.
In its heyday, this very entrance would have echoed with the sounds of horses and carriages arriving, the rustle of royal attire, and the quiet formality of diplomatic exchanges. It was more than just a threshold, it was a portal into the world of Johor’s royal diplomacy and prestige, situated right here on Singaporean soil. Standing here, we are reminded of the palace’s once-vibrant role as a political and cultural bridge between the Johor sultanate and the colonial powers, as well as with other Malay and regional rulers.
Though silence now surrounds us, the memory of those footsteps, greetings, and royal ceremonies still lingers in the atmosphere, waiting to be remembered, honoured, and retold.
Can anyone still remember the story about the motifs of the ventilators above our heads?
#crazyrichasians #sultanjohor #Istana
I was utterly surprised when I came across few article about the land swap between Singapore and the Sultan of Johor, particularly because it made no mention at all of Istana Woodneuk. Here lies a forgotten palace, nestled in the heart of Tyersall, with deep historical ties to the Temenggongs of Singapore, the very lineage that once shaped the early political and social fabric of this island.
Istana Woodneuk wasn’t just an old building, it was a royal residence, a cultural marker, and a silent witness to our shared Malay-Johor heritage. It stood as a symbol of status, diplomacy, and wealth during the colonial era. One could even argue that the Temenggongs and their descendants were among the original “Crazy Rich Asians,” long before the term became popularised in modern fiction.
Yet, in official narratives and transactions, such heritage is often overlooked, perhaps erased quietly by development, bureaucracy, and time. It raises important questions: What parts of our past are we choosing to remember, and which are we letting slip away?
#bangsajohor #Istana #istanawoodneuk #URA #LandSwap #crazyrichasians #sultanjohor
Sunday, 13 April 2025
Once upon a time, long before Bugis Street became the retail maze we know today, it was part of a thriving maritime world shaped by the seafaring Bugis people—traders, navigators, and master diplomats of the Nusantara. These were men from Sulawesi, especially Makassar, who sailed down in fleets of wooden prau, anchoring off Singapore’s shores to trade in spices, silk, and forest products with the Chinese, Arabs, Indians, Europeans, Orang Laut and other indigenous communities.
The Bugis people were often misunderstood as violent largely due to colonial narratives shaped by European powers like the Dutch and later the British. These powers saw the Bugis not just as traders, but as formidable competitors who held deep influence over the maritime trade routes of the Malay Archipelago. The Bugis were bold, independent, and fiercely protective of their trade networks and allies, including many indigenous communities.
Their influence was vast—they controlled key parts of the spice route, not through conquest, but through deep regional networks built on trust and commerce. But when the Dutch East India Company arrived, hungry for monopoly, they saw these proud maritime traders as a threat. To justify their aggression, they branded the Bugis as pirates. Yet in truth, it was never piracy—it was power. Nutmeg, after all, was worth more than gold, and the Bugis weren’t about to give it up without a fight.
That legacy, bold and misunderstood, still lingers beneath the concrete of Bugis Street today, if only we take the time to listen. I am more than happy to share with you that story.
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