THE Malay Village is to be torn down in 2011, but some of the current stall holders were upbeat about the changes.

Malay Village Pte Ltd's general manager Jeffrey Chan told The New Paper that he welcomed the news.

In a report in The New Paper on 12 Apr, Mr Chan, 35, said he had submitted a $50 million plan to the Housing Board (HDB) to revamp the village.

He said: 'The plans we submitted to HDB last month seems close to what the URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) wants. We are happy to hear that there will be a civic centre and space for cultural performances because it goes with what we plan to offer.'

He said his company wants to amend and resubmit its plans within two weeks to HDB.

When asked if he is confident of getting an approval, he would only say that he 'remains positive'.

This despite being aware that the commercial use of the land might be shelved, which means that his plans may not be usable.

Mr Chan said that URA's plans are not set in stone yet. 'So we hope that when a decision on usage of the space is finally made, HDB will approve our commercial plans.'

The Malay Village was set up in 1989 to showcase traditional Malay village life but, over time, it has been labelled a white elephant.

Presently, its tenants are an odd mix of shops selling anything from traditional Malay clothes and woodcraft to frozen meat and fruits.

Despite the news that she has only three years left for business, Ms Siti Suhaila Yahya of Wayan Retreat Balinese Spa said that she is hopeful of remaining in the area beyond 2011.

The spa owner spent $250,000 to renovate her spa and hire more employees early this month.

The 30-year-old said: 'I look forward to making the best use during this period, but I would like to assure the Malay community that we will retain our presence in Geylang Serai.'

She has another branch in Bussorah Street, off Arab Street.

She said: 'I hope that URA will engage the existing tenants and give us priority (to be involved) in their redevelopment plans.'

STAYING ON

Other tenants expressed similar interest in staying on.

One of them is Mrs Ramlah Karim, 63, who shifted her bridal outfit shop to Malay Village in January due to lower rents there. Her shop used to be at Jalan Pisang off Arab Street.

She said: 'True, there's not much walk-in traffic and I get by on my regulars, but the place is growing on me... I like the richness of culture here and I believe there is a bright future for business when the new market and mall are ready next year.'

Nigerian tourist Lawal Musawa, 46, who was shopping with his wife at a boutique selling traditional clothes, felt the Malay Village was a 'natural setting' that the Malays should be proud of.

When told it will be torn down, he said: 'This is one of the places in Singapore to see what a Malay settlement is like. If it looks too new, I don't think tourists like me will appreciate the culture, even if there are performances.'

This article was first published by The New Paper on May 24, 2008.

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