REMINISCENCE OF BUGIS STREET

Wednesday, 06 January 2010 13:36

1829 BUGIS IMMIGRANTS

Singapore ( formerly "Temasek" ) was once a trading port and settlement. People of different ethnic origins came to trade and amongst them were the people of Bugis. With a burning spirit of entrepreneurship and adventure, they traveled by boats from Macassar- Sulawesi, Indonesia. They brought with them spices, gold and slaves to seek their fortunes. Heroes and famous people arose from the small Bugis community of seamen & merchants. Haji Amboo Solo, a Bugis merchant and philanthropist was one of them.

1878 TOPONYM - BUGIS STREET

There are various versions to the story behind the name, ‘Bugis Street’. The most probable one would be its close proximity to Kampung Bugis (Bugis Village in Malay) of that era. Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, allocated that area to the Bugis Community. As indicated on a straits settlement map from 1835, the original Bugis Street was approximately half a kilometer from Jalan Bugis (Bugis Road).

1940 & 1950s FROM TRADING POST TO INTERNAL SELF GOVERNMENT

In tandem with the development of Singapore, Bugis Street, which started out as a supper spot, turned into a popular eating and entertainment rendezvous. Delicious local fare, cheap alcohol and souvenirs allured both the locals and foreign visitors. Bugis Street was very popular with the servicemen from Britain and Australia, who spent nights there having fun, interacting till the wee hours of the morning.

1960s GAINING INDEPENDENCE

Bugis Street became a must-visit location on Singapore’s nightlife circuit with its “open-air” stalls of street hawkers and vendors. The nightly parade of transvestites ( commonly known as “Sisters” ) was also a Bugis Street attraction.

1970s BEST SINGAPORE TOURIST SPOT

During the Vietnam War, American Servicemen on Rest & Relax crowded the street. The place became a magnet for transvestites and other colorful, vibrant characters. Bugis Street was a haven for gambling dens and other undesirable activities too.

1980s MAKING WAY FOR URBAN RENEWAL

Rumours about the demolition of Bugis Street and the clearing of street hawking and vending to make way for a Mass Rapid Transport station began to circulate. A group of hawkers appealed to the Member of Parliament for Kampong Glam (government district for Bugis Street), against this decision. Transvestites were also warned to stay away from Bugis Street by the authorities, thus , significantly reducing the number of transvestites in the vicinity.

1984 MODERNISATION

The Citizens’ Consultative Committee for Kampong Glam met up with The Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Hawkers’ Department with a proposal to convert Bugis Street into a food centre. The idea was rejected.

1985 END OF AN ERA

“Sisters” from other areas encroached into Bugis Street to solicit business but were chased away by the Bugis Street transvestites who eventually disappeared from the scene.

In the later part of 1985, Bugis Street was eventually demolished and all the street hawker stalls were cleared and the hawkers relocated to the other areas of Singapore to ply their trades. Travel agencies and tourists lamented on the loss of one of Singapore’s famous and exciting attractions.

1987 A REVIVAL

As part of the Singapore Tourism Board’s efforts to preserve, conserve or re-develop iconic sites and tourist attractions, the Singapore Tourism Board called for tender to re-develop Bugis Street.

1988 AN ICON RECREATED
Bugis Street Development Private Limited was awarded the project to re-develop Bugis Street which took two years.

Mid 1990s NEW ERA

In the mid 90’s, Bugis Street experienced its soft opening for business. The news was welcomed joyfully by the former hawkers and retailers, which resulted in the full occupation of the retail and entertainment outlet once again. The old, lively Bugis Street was revived.

Nevertheless, this overwhelming response unfavorably lured lawbreakers. The sale of illegal and pirated goods sprouted. Bugis Street’s management took this matter seriously and, with the help of local authorities, such activities were ceased and are strictly prohibited to date.

1997 CHANGING LANES

Bugis Street Development Private Limited embarked on the first phase of upgrading. The original main street, comprising of 4 rows of stalls, was converted into a street lined with 2 rows of stalls on either side to create a better ambiance for visitors. Retractable awnings were introduced to provide shelter for visitors during the rainy season, making Bugis Street an attractive landmark for street shopping. Sprinkler systems were also installed in all stalls to address fire safety concerns.

1999 GENTLE BREEZE

The food court was renovated and re-opened as the New Bugis Food Village, offering over 20 open air concept hawker stalls.

2001 MOVING FORWARD

The opening of 2 back lanes selling antiques expanded the Bugis Street shopping premise, qualifying it as a one stop street market complex. Whilst retaining its distinctive architecture of pre-war houses, Bugis Street managed to adopt a modern feel making Bugis street a unique and exciting street shopping experience.

2004 NEW CHAPTER

The second phase of upgrading transformed Bugis Street into the Largest Street Shopping Location in Singapore.

2005 RE-POSITIONING

Bugis Street expanded the 2nd floor with an addition of 64 stalls. Bugis Café selling “fast food” was established to capture the teen market, thus, venturing beyond the variety of hawker food. This completes Bugis Street as a trendy, fashion haven for the young to hangout.

In support of ‘Entrepreneurship Education and Service Quality’, Bugis Street Development Private Limited initiated a collaboration project with Singapore Polytechnic that would provide entrepreneurship training in a realistic environment by renting retail space to the Singapore Polytechnic students. This opportunity would provide them with hands on experience in the business world.

2006 TO PRESENT UNIQUE STREET SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Currently Bugis Street has about 600 concept stalls and the number is expected to grow. Future developments are in the pipeline to make Bugis Street a better and more exciting street shopping complex.