No. 488A
Kampung Sungei Durian
Owner:
Pak Ahmad bin Kassim & Cik Sapiah bte Taib
Year Built:
Early 1950s
Year Last Modified:
1996 (lowering of the main house)
Occupancy Status:
Occupied
House Condition:
Heavily termite-infested, water damage, and weathered
Wood Type:
Tiup-tiup (Adinandra dumosa) wood for structure
Water Supply:
Water tank supplied by a well
Electrical Supply:
Diesel generator and 2 photovoltaic panels
Historical Highlights:
Owner is one of the last remaining individuals on Pulau Ubin with traditional building know-how.
Landmark Recognisability:
High. A popular rest spot en route to Tanjong Chek Jawa, has also appeared on the media many times.
Introduction
Constructed by Kassim bin Haji Sahak, House no. 488A was originally a raised-floor house (Malay: rumah panggung) until 1996, when his second son, Ahmad bin Kassim (also known by his nickname Ahmad Janggut), decided to lower the ibu rumah (Malay: the core house, literally “mother house”) and added some extensions to it. The warong (Malay: stall) to one side of the house in front was added around 23 years ago (1995-1996).
Like many residents still residing on Pulau Ubin, Pak Ahmad relies on his diesel power generator for most of his electricity needs. In recent years, he has installed photovoltaic panels to supplement this.
Numerous organisations and individuals have used Pak Ahmad’s compound to host activities, including Siglap Day in 2015. TV program filming and cultural activities for school children held during the holiday periods often use Pak Ahmad’s house and warong as a setting to demonstrate Malay culture and kampung life. As Pak Ahmad puts it, “A lot of people used to come here, [and] I welcome them with open arms!”
Information from Field Studies
Interviewer: Dr. Imran bin Tajudeen, Mohammad Iqbal bin Roslan, Ahmad bin Osman, Trikasemmart Panyaporn
Interviewee: Ahmad bin Kassim, Sapiah binte Taib, Azman bin Hamid, Khairuddin bin Ahmad
Date: November 2017 - April 2018