The King of Bedok lives on...

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Recently, we were contacted by reader Jelajah Ilmu Benar Insani, who, to our great delight, turned out to be one of the descendants of Haji Kahar, the famed "King of Bedok". Through his villa at Jalan Haji Salam and the legacy he left behind, Haji Kahar's presence remains an unmistakable and enduring part of Bedok's history.

Our conversations on Messenger opened a fascinating window into the life of this remarkable pioneer, whose influence helped shape the Bedok of old.

Villa Haji Kahar, named after businessman Haji Kahar bin Haji Abdul Ghani, was recently gazetted for conservation and was described by The Straits Times as "one of the last surviving markers of the old Kampong Bedok." Standing at No. 1 Bedok Avenue, just off Jalan Haji Salam, the two-storey bungalow occupies a generous 5,963.2 sq m site that also includes No. 3 Bedok Avenue, a beautifully crafted kampong house that once formed part of the family's estate.

Based on public records, Haji Kahar arrived in Singapore from Palembang together with other family members. His first wife from Palembang bore him two children, while his second wife from Singapore bore ten, bringing the total number of children to twelve. According to Jelajah's family records, this corrects earlier accounts that had mistakenly stated there were sixteen.

A proud fifth-generation descendant, Jelajah shared that his grandmother was born in the villa and was later married there in 1940, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. The kampong house at No. 3 Bedok Avenue, located at the corner of the compound, originally belonged to Haji Kahar's second daughter and was once seamlessly connected to the larger family estate.

Today, the family has grown to encompass hundreds of descendants across seven generations. We were deeply touched to hear several wonderful and tender family stories from Jelajah, precious recollections that serve as a living bridge between the past and the present.

With the villa now preserved as part of Singapore's architectural and cultural heritage, an important chapter of Kampong Bedok's story remains anchored in the landscape. For future generations, it will stand as a tangible reminder of the kampong's golden years, when this corner of Singapore was simply, and lovingly, home.

Once again, Jelajah, thank you for the lively and enlightening conversation you shared with us. We are truly grateful for your contributions to the memory of old Bedok, and we trust that you and your family are keeping well.











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