Irwan's Reflection

The tour of the Kampong Gelam vicinity gave me insight especially into the business development within it. It had undergone phases of change but with some exceptional areas being conserved. Istana Kampong Gelam, Gedung Kuning and the Sultan Mosque are gazetted as National Monuments by the National Heritage Board.

The evolution of the types of business conducted in Kampong Gelam can be seen vividly. Trading was mainly in textile, fabrics and handicrafts in the past. Nowadays we can see restaurateurs offering food ranging from Mediterranean signature dishes to local cuisines. This shift brings about the different age groups of people into Kampong Gelam and adapts the dynamic tourism market. However, shops that still trade in the traditional items that were once very popular in Kampong Gelam still exist as there is demand.

Most people we contacted could not account for the shift. Traders either ended their business activities for good or moved to other places with good demand such as Geylang Serai. With such evolution, this place is becoming vibrant. On the other hand, how are we going to avoid the total ‘cleansing’ of this place should one day come that Kampong Gelam is only recognised by the myriad of food one can be spoilt for choice but its once bustling business hub for traditional goods is totally gone.