The last family living in Pondok Kelompang Gubuk

(At the main entrance of Pondok Kelompang Gubuk - Photo taken in 1996)

35 Upper Weld Road was my home for twelve years. I was in primary six when my dad bought a HDB flat. My family and I moved out of Pondok to live in our new home at Kallang. However, I always returned to Pondok visiting my maternal grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousins whom I adore very much, especially little Anam, Fauzi and Nur. Of the three, Anam was my favorite one. Their mother, Suhaidah, is the younger sister of my mum.

(Little Anam with my mother - Isn't he adorable? The photo was taken in the early 80s)

I address Aunty Suhaidah as Cik Ende. When I was a ten year old girl, I used to help her to baby-sit little Anam while she was busy doing her house chores. I also used to bring Anam to the movies. I remembered the time I brought him to watch the film Jaws at Rex Cinema. Anam was then a six year old boy. He was sobbing at the end of the movie because he was sad to see the girl eaten alive by the shark.

(An interior area of the Pondok, leading to the Kitchen. The door at the rear opens up to the kitchen - Photo taken in 1996)


Later on, while my other aunties and uncles moved out of Pondok to live in HDB apartments, Aunty Suhaidah still lived in the Pondok with her family until the URA took over the premises along Upper Weld Road for new development of the area. She and her family was the last to leave Pondok Kelompang Gubuk.

(At the living Room which is the front most part of the Pondok Kelompang Gubuk - Photo taken in 1996)

My cousins are now grown-ups, holding rewarding jobs. Anam and Fauzi are Professionals working in the Advertising industry while Nur works in the Financial sector.