Interview #4: Madam Sng Mui Hong
Kampong Lorong Buangkok, the last surviving kampong in Singapore
This interview features Madam Sng Mui Hong, the owner and chief of Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Also known as the "Kampong Queen," Madam Sng has consistently refused to sell the land, honoring a promise to her father to keep it for his descendants and the community. In today's discussion, Madam Sng reveals the backstory of Kampong Lorong Buangkok and the legacy she hopes to leave.
About This Interview
Madam Sng Mui Hong is the daughter of Sng Teow Koon, who bought the 1.22-hectare plot in 1956. Since then, the landlady has been at the forefront of protecting this land for her diverse residents, maintaining the communal spirit of mutual help for years.
As of now, about 25–28 households remain (a mix of Malay and Chinese families). They pay very low "token" rents, reportedly between $6.50 and $30 a month—a price that has remained stable since the 1960s.
Interview Details
Guest: Madam Sng Mui Hong
Interviewer: Christine Oh
Date Recorded: March 30, 2026
Location: Kampong Lorong Buangkok, Singapore
Language: English
Duration: 9:56
Format: Video & Audio Recording
Interview Questions
Below are highlights from our conversation with Madam Sng Mui Hong, the owner and chief of Kampong Lorong Buangkok. These excerpts capture her vision for the future of the last surviving kampong in Singapore.
Why did you or your family choose to stay in this village?
Madam Sng: My father was admitted to the hospital in critical condition but remained stable enough to tell the nurses he did not want to stay in the hospital. He insisted on having his final moments at home and asked for an ambulance to drive him back to the kampong. Because of this, my family decided to preserve this place as best as possible. As of 2026, it is the 30th anniversary of my father's passing; I have been preserving the land for those 30 years in his memory, and I do not want to sell the house.
When you step out into the city and then home, does your sense of being Singaporean change?
Madam Sng: I actually like the way things are now. The world has developed, and things move much faster than before, so I like the quiet aspect of Kampong Lorong Buangkok.
What changes have you seen around this area, and do you feel pressure from urban development?
Madam Sng: I have a very simple and open mindset regarding the surrounding urban development: things that are meant to be yours will stay with you, and things that are not meant to be yours will not. I compare it to a marriage; if it is meant to be, it will be. If the government eventually takes the land, it is because it was not meant to stay mine, but as long as it is mine, I will remain here.
Do you have the desire to persuade the next guardians of Kampong Lorong Buangkok to preserve the land?
Madam Sng: My father gave me the land to manage, but since I am not married, the land will eventually pass to my brother’s children. I acknowledge that times have changed, and I will not pressure or persuade them to keep it; if they decide to sell it once it is in their hands, that is their decision to make.
What makes Kampong Lorong Buangkok historically unique?
Madam Sng: My father purchased this piece of land in 1956, so it's 70 years old already. Generally, all kampongs are pretty much the same; it’s just that the Chinese kampongs with Chinese influence will be a bit nicer, a bit greener. Different ethnic groups have different forms of livelihood, so they’re all a bit different.
What aspects does Kampong Lorong Buangkok have that modern Singapore doesn’t?
Madam Sng: I feel that there is no difference. In my perspective, if I want to build a skyscraper on my own accord, I can. To me, it's just the ownership of the lands. I mean, of course, the house is a bit different, but in terms of the ownership, I find there is little difference.
