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History of Alkaff Mosque
Jalan Eunos / Kaki Bukit Malay Settlement
Kampung Melayu Jalan Eunos, the first gazetted settlement, was established in 1928 on 240 square hectar of land at the Jalan Eunos area. The construction of Kallang AIrport affected the Malays living in the Kallang areas. Their plight motivated a group of Malay intelligentsia a quasi-political group, known as Kesatuan Melayu Singapura (KMS), to fight for a special settlement for the Malays affected by the project.
KMS was led by Muhammad Eunos bin Abdullah, a member of the Legislative Council and Malay Municipal Commissioner. In 1927, KMS appealed to the Legislative Council for a land reserved exclusively for a Malay Kampung to reestablish the traditional rural way of life based on the model of Kampong Bahru in Kuala Lumpur. Within the reserved land, it was suggested ‘…that Malays could build their own houses, plant a few fruit trees and live among their own people in the manner to which they were accustomed.’ (Roff & William, 1967:193).
Even though the initial response from the British government was cautious, the proposal was given due the consideration by giving its approval and a sum of $700,000 was granted to the KMS to buy 600 acres of unoccupied land at the eastern outskirts of the city from Mr Frankel. A semi-rural settlement was developed on the land, complete with the roads which were named after the committee members of KMS, such as Tengku Abdul Kadir, Abdul Manan bin Mohd Said, Daud bin Mohd Shah, Hj Ambo’ Soloh and others.
In 1951, there were 245 families in the settlement mainly in its western sector. In 1957, other areas were developed in the eastern sector and there were about 761 houses. Beginning in 1959, the government built about 100 low-cost houses for sale for Malay settlers. This initiative led to the occupation of the rest of the area.
It also attracted some Hadhrami Arab family, Alkaff, Alsagoff and Aljunied to settle there. In 1932, As-Syed Mohamed Bin Syed Ahmad Alkaff together with Hj Ambo Solo pioneered the building project of Alkaff Mosque at Jalan Abdul Manan/Jalan Abadi and another smaller Surau Kaki Bukit nearby.
Later in the 60s, Kaki Bukit Malay village (located at the foot of a small hill of Jalan Abadi) and Kampung Batak (located on top of the hill at the end od Jalan Eunos) were later included as an extension settlement project. Two schools, Kaki Bukit Primary School and Kaki Bukit Secondary School,were built to accommodate the education needs of the village children.
By 1965 there were about 1,300 houses in the area. In 1996 the government discouraged further expansion and closed the registration of applicants. By 1980, there were only 675 dwelling houses as many were affected by several road constructions, such as the Airport Link Road and New Jalan Eunos.
In April 1981, the residents received official notification to vacate their houses as their Kampung would be demolished for the building of a new industrial and housing estate (Kaki Bukit and Bedok Reservoir Estate).
References:
Hadijah Rahmat (2005), Kilat Senja-Sejarah Sosial dan Budaya Kampung-Kampung di Singapura, HS Yang Publishing PL.
Internet article by Vernon Cornelius on History of Jalan Eunos Malay Settlement.