Singapore 40 - Paya Lebar, Malay Village, Geylang Serai
Paya Lebar used to be a big swamp area, and that is how it got its name. In Malay "Paya" means swamp and "Lebar" means wide. In the early days, there were rural settlements and agricultural areas in Paya Lebar. On 20 August 1955, the Paya Lebar International Airport was opened by the then Secretary of State for the British colonies, Mr Alan Lennox Boyd. The airport had since become the chief landmark for Paya Lebar Planning Area. However, the airport ceased its civil aviation operation in 1981 when the Changi International Airport was opened. To the east of the Paya Lebar Airport, the area was once used for sand quarrying. As a result, many disused sand quarry ponds were formed after the sand quarrying operations ceased in 1980s.
The history of Geylang Serai begins wih a small settlement consisting of Orang Laut and the Malays on the banks of Gaylang River. In the 1840s, the British Government dispersed the Malay floating village at the mouth of the Singapore River because of its obstruction to port traffic. The Malay inhabitants thus moved inland, with some setting up home in Geylang. This new settlement at Geylang was known as 'Geylang Kelapa'. 'Kelapa' meaning coconut in Malay suggesting the presence of coconut plantaions. However, since the beginning of the 20th century, the settlement has been known as 'Geylang Serai', 'Serai' in Malay is 'Lemon grass' indicating the growth or cultivation of lemon grass in the area.
Singapore Post Centre
10 Eunos Road 8
#01-02
Singapore Post Centre
Singapore 408600
Updated On: 05.06.16