'I've already promised my father': Why Kampong Lorong Buangkok owner refuses to sell land

Amid Singapore's towering skyscrapers and ever-changing landscape, there is one lady who is holding the fort at Kampong Lorong Buangkok, Singapore's last village.

Situated in Hougang, the village dates back to 1956 when Sng Teow Koon, a traditional Chinese medicine seller, acquired the land to build his home. 

The land was given to his children, one of whom is Sng Mui Hong, who continues to live there even today.

Property TikTok page @wanandzal shared an interview with Sng in September 2024.

@wanandzal Last kampong in Singapore? #sg #singapore #sgtiktok #viral #interesting #kampong #story #history #property #housing #review #fyp #placestovisit ♬ Funk It Up - John Etkin-Bell

@wanandzal Why doesn’t she want to sell her $70 million property? #sg #singapore #kampong #kampung #rich #owner #interview #realestate #millionaire #fyp #freehold #interesting #relatable #realestatetiktok ♬ Funk It Up - John Etkin-Bell

Made a promise to her late father

To Sng, it is not just land. It is her past, her present, and future.

Although Sng could easily reap a fortune — the land is reportedly valued at a whooping S$70 million according to the property agent hosts — she has repeatedly refused to sell the freehold land.

When asked why, she shared that she was merely upholding a promise she had made to her late father, and has been beholden to it despite receiving several offers.

In the video, she said:

"[I'm not selling it] because of my father. He said: 'don't sell my property. I want to take care of my children, take care of my property, take care of my grandchildren.'

He bought and built it himself. It's not mine, I'm just taking care of it."

Sng had previously spoken up about her strong attachment to the village and how intertwined her family's history has been with the land.

Netizens impressed by her determination and loyalty

The video, which has garnered over 760,000 views, has won the hearts of netizens, many applauding Sng's act of loyalty to her late father.

Many were also impressed with her ability to speak Malay so fluently.

Taking care of the property as long as she's alive

Sng confirmed in the video that she will take care of the property for all long as she's alive.

And in the future, it'll be her younger relatives' responsibilities.

"They remember their grandfather (Sng's father) telling them [to take care of the property], so they'll follow his wishes."

Plans for redevelopment to happen "several decades later"

What does the future hold for Kampong Lorong Buangkok?

Well, the land is currently earmarked for development under the 2014 Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Master Plan  to make way for a major road and two schools.

However, redevelopment plans are likely only to happen “several decades later”, shared Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, in an adjournment motion raised in parliament in 2017.

Top image from Wan&Zal/TikTok and Google Maps