64 Club Street

(photo credit to Timothy Tye)

To date, the Pondok Peranakan Gelam Club is the sole survivor of the many Indonesian Malay communal houses or Pondoks that were found on Club Street. Now located at Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre, the club continues to organise religious ,welfare, social sports , educational and recreational activities.

Originally located at 64 Club Street, the Pondok registered on 4 April 1932 and operated on a system of social hierarchy with married couples occupying the upper floor while children and singles living downstairs. The pondok or lodge organised educational, social, sports and recreational activities. Membership was extended to all Singapore residents in 1969. By the 1970s, the club had nearly 700 members.


In the 1830s, the Boyanese, started migrating to the florishing British port in search of work. As those from the Malay Archipelago saw Singapore as part ofthe Malay Seas, they saw themselves as "Perantau" which meant People who travle within their region. Hence, the Pondok Peranakan Gelam Club was set up in Singapore by the Boyanese to provide accommodation and cater to the welfare needs of their community.