Forum: Transform Bedok Jetty into a coastal lifestyle landmark
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I recently visited Bedok Jetty at night and noticed that despite being lively during the day, the space feels pitch-black and underutilised after dark.
It is time to transform this structure along East Coast Park into a vibrant coastal lifestyle landmark, drawing inspiration from iconic international waterfronts like Mexico’s Los Muertos Pier.
Built in 1966 by businessman Yap Swee Hong, Bedok Jetty initially served a commercial purpose before transitioning into a military exercise zone. In 1975, it played a pivotal humanitarian role during Operation Thunderstorm, serving as a medical screening centre for arriving Vietnamese refugees. By the 1980s, it opened to the public, evolving into a beloved community hub for fishing and recreation.
Today, this national asset has the exact geographical and structural traits required to become a major social and tourism hub.
Its unique T-shaped end provides the perfect structural framework for an artistic viewing deck over the seawater.
This transformation reimagines our coastal assets for a fresh Singapore Strait experience. It seamlessly blends modern tourism with the nostalgic charm immortalised in Somerset Maugham’s Malayan stories.
Osman V.P. Mohamed
