Pondok Kalompang Gubuk

Pondok Kalompang Gubuk was a pre-war house situated at 35, Upper Weld Road, Singapore. It was the first home for many Boyanese who originated from Kalompang Gubuk village in Bawean. This pondok was able to house up to about 20 families at a time.

The main entrance of Pondok Kalompang Gubuk -in 1980s

Before the 1970s, there were many visitors from Bawean making social visit to Singapore. Those from Kalompang Gubuk village came to this pondok for accommodations. They came to visit their relatives living in many parts of Singapore. Some were looking for job opportunities. There were also many Boyanese sailors who stayed for a day or two at this pondok before sailing off to other destinations. These seamen normally would bring news to the residents about their relatives living in Kalompang Gubuk village. They also acted as "middleman" doing the job of a postman, transporting gifts parcels and letters from Bawean to Singapore and vice-versa.
 

 The main entrance of Pondok Kalompang Gubuk -in the late 1950s.

Gradually, the number of visitors from Bawean decreases through time. By the time in 1990s, none was seen around. Today, Pondok Kalompang Gubuk is no longer in existence, just like many other pondok that ever existed in Singapore. My maternal aunt and her family was the last to move out from it. They left the Pondok in the late 1990s before the premises along the whole stretch of Upper Weld Road were taken over by URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore) for the re-development of Jalan Besar area.