Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Change Singapore River into a source of culture

With the image of the coolie carrying a sack of goods on his shoulders from the bumboats to the godowns, the Singapore River has, for a long time, represented the spirit of enterprise and industry that built modern Singapore.

Bars, restaurants and nightclubs have replaced former godowns from Boat Quay to Robertson Quay. TODAY file photo

Bars, restaurants and nightclubs have replaced former godowns from Boat Quay to Robertson Quay. TODAY file photo

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

With the image of the coolie carrying a sack of goods on his shoulders from the bumboats to the godowns, the Singapore River has, for a long time, represented the spirit of enterprise and industry that built modern Singapore.

But with the increase in criminal and anti-social behaviour arising from drink-related problems coming from the bars, restaurants and nightclubs occupying the stretches of former godowns from Boat Quay to Robertson Quay, the river is now associated as a place of excesses.

As seen in the new restrictions on waterfront dining and related activities, the authorities have placed responsibility on commercial operators, who blame the situation on binge drinkers in public and inadequate policing.

Recently, a friend was a victim of the deteriorating situation when she decided to take a pleasant walk, or so she had assumed, from the Esplanade along the river and was deliberately obstructed by two men she described as menacing.

After the clean-up of the Singapore River in 1987, the Government had plans under the Renaissance City project to transform the area under the Civic District with arts and culture.

Although a private-public partnership was established last year to revitalise the area, with the present imbalance of indulgent wining and dining, this stretch looks neither civic nor cultured. It has become one of the more unsafe areas in Singapore.

While lucrative short-term revenue can be derived from the businesses in this prime area, it is timely that the authorities consider the social costs, from cleaning to policing the place.

At the immediate level, there could be more sustained police patrols and installation of closed-circuit television cameras along the public areas.

On the intermediate basis, the authorities could consider more drastic measures, such as alcohol-free zones in the public areas, to reduce social problems by keeping teenage binge drinkers out and drinking customers indoors.

To goad the commercial operators to take greater public responsibility, their taxes should be pegged to the levels of crime and related anti-social behaviour along the Singapore River. It is only fair that the public should not bear the cost, while the bars and clubs rake in profits.

More important, in the longer term, is the need to restore the dignity of historical landmarks ruined by external architectural interventions, like the monstrous canopies overwhelming Clarke Quay’s elegant shophouses, and to encourage a healthier diversity of family-friendly activities.

Not every historical godown must be turned into an alfresco restaurant and bar. Why not have more inclusive use of these units by arts, welfare and civil society groups?

Despite commercial pressures in equally congested Seoul, for example, there are places in prime districts for non-profit, independent public activities, like the small theatre companies offering a rich variety of shows along Daehangno street.

Let us make the Singapore River a safe place to walk, and let Singaporeans and the world know that this river is not a drinking swirl, but a rich historical and cultural source in a country we can proudly call home.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.