In Pictures – Once a prosperous harbour, Sengkang is now a prosperous new town 

29/10/2024

Compared to Yishun or Tampines, Sengkang is a relatively new kid on the block. Its transformation only began in the late 90s. But despite being a late bloomer, Sengkang has become a fully-fledged and well-connected town.  

Here’s a look back at how the PAP government transformed Sengkang into a vibrant centre of the Northeast. 

Sengkang in colonial times 

1958, Countryside around Sungei Kangkar. Aerial photograph by the British Royal Air Force between 1940 to 1970s, from a collection held by the National Archives of Singapore. Crown copyright. 

Undeveloped and rural, Sengkang was not much different from other parts of Singapore during the colonial era. Large swaths of land were used for agricultural activities, including rubber and pepper farms. Housing conditions were poor and typical of its time, consisting of attap houses dotted around kampongs.  

(Left) Attap houses along the river at Kampong Serangoon Kechil (Right) A wholesale fish market at Kangkar Village housing plenty of traders. This way of life would continue right up to the 1980s.  

However, what sets Sengkang apart is its proximity to our northeastern coastline. While the Singapore River is the main artery for trade, the Serangoon River that runs through Sengkang is also a historically vital waterway. Back then, traders would come by boat as far as Johore to ply their catch daily, creating a bustling fishing community. 

The name Sengkang (盛港), which means “prosperous harbour” in Chinese, reflects this brisk trade that once took place. Similarly, its dialect moniker “Kangkar”, meaning “foot of the port”, also harks back to Sengkang’s origins as a fishing village. 

Plans for a new town  

Chicken and pig farms in Lorong Buangkok. Many locals depended on farming for their livelihood.  

Under the leadership of the PAP, Singapore developed at breakneck speed throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Self-contained new towns dominated by high-rise HDBs started popping up across the island, driven by a vision to build a modern state and improve the living conditions of Singaporeans.  

Right up to the 1980s, Sengkang remained a rural community. (Clockwise, from left) How Huat Heng Noodle Factory, a corner shop with a zinc roof and a community centre in Serangoon Village. 

Sengkang and parts of the Northeast might have escaped this first wave of urbanisation and retained its rural charm. But not for long. By the early 1990s, fishing villages and farms were cleared, making way for a brand-new housing estate.  

(Left) A section of the LRT tracks at Sengkang (Right) 2003, then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and then-Minister for Transport Yeo Cheow Tong on a LRT ride during a visit to Sengkang MRT station, part of the newly opened Northeast Line, which links Sengkang to Downtown Singapore in 20 minutes. 

With judicious planning, the Sengkang Light Rail Transit (LRT) system was built in tandem with the public housing projects. That has helped reduce the growing pains of limited transport options often associated with new towns.  

Punggol River running through Sengkang. The waterways that once sustained the livelihoods of local fishermen are now a central feature of the town’s landscape. 

In addition, planners have incorporated Sengkang’s unique riverine history into the new town. The station names of Sengkang’s LRT, for instance, are a nod to the area’s previous life as a fishing village.  

Tongkang station is named after the bumboats commonly used to carry goods along the river. Kupang, or mussels in Malay, were among the staple catches for fishermen working in the nearby waters.  

Then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited the Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH). Opened in 2019, SKH has helped bring medical services closer to residents in the Northeast.

Over the next two decades, more housing developments, schools, parks, healthcare and recreational facilities have added to the rich tapestry of life in Sengkang. 

Building a vibrant and caring community  

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong joins PAP Sengkang BCs (from left) Dr Lam Pin Min, A/P Elmie Nekmat and Theodora Lai at the opening of Buangkok Community Club in July. Located within Sengkang Grand Mall, the new CC will provide residents with plenty of activities to bond with their friends and family. 

Today, Sengkang is home to over 200,000 Singaporeans. As a new town, Sengkang was initially part of the Pasir Ris–Punggol, Hougang, and Ang Mo Kio constituencies. However, by 2020, it had become an official Group Representation Constituency (GRC). 

PAP Sengkang BCs (from left) Dr Lam Pin Min, Theodora Lai and A/P Elmie Nekmat have been conducting regular house visits to connect with residents and engage with them on issues that matter the most. 

Since then, PAP representatives of #TeamSengkang have continued tirelessly to engage with residents and build lasting relationships with them. From home visits to grassroots activities, the aim is to continue being a big tent party that unites Singaporeans from all walks of life. 

Sengkang East BC Marcus Loh, along with volunteers, has installed a community fridge in Sengkang East. As part of a food rescue program, residents can pick up five food packages each month for free and help reduce food waste for a more sustainable future. 

Sengkang’s transformation from a fishing village to a thriving suburb is a testament to the PAP’s vision and tenacity. This determination and hard work is how we intend to make Sengkang a vibrant and caring home for all Singaporeans. 

Photo Source: National Archives/ NLB/ Sengkang General Hospital/ Hougang NPC/ Lee Hsien Loong/ Dr Lam Pin Min/ Theodora Lai/ Marcus Loh/ Elmie Nekmat via Facebook