8 Facts About Yishun’s History Which Are As Interesting As The Present Yishun

Last Updated on 2020-12-14 , 4:33 pm

Yup, here we are are with information about Yishun again. However, this time, it’s not about the strange happenings in that estate, nor is it about potential suspects of cat killings.

Here, we are going to highlight some of the interesting highlights of the history of Yishun, and why it should be remembered as one of the key estates of Singapore rather than the devil’s ring.

Here’s are 8 facts of the history of Yishun that makes it just as interesting as the present Yishun.

1. The name came from a Pineapple King

Yishun carries the legend of a pineapple pioneer who was called Lim Nee Soon. As the years passed, Nee Soon was translated to Yishun in Mandarin, as Lim Nee Soon was a prominent industrialist who specialized in the trade of pineapples and rubber. Other than these plantations, he was also a banker, contractor and general commission agent.

In other words, you can say that Yishun has pineapples as its roots. Get it?

2.The Yishun New Town Project

Many villages were relocated and huge constructions took place. The New Town was designed with convenience in mind, for schools, markets, religious buildings, community buildings, shopping and recreational facilities to be within easy reach. Temples were merged, Kampungs razed, etc.

3. Chong Pang was the son of Lim Nee Soon

Which came about the name Chong Pang. He was a prominent businessman and long-time member of the Singapore Rural Board. Now, many would associate Chong Pang with Chong Pang Nasi Lemak, no?

4. It is full of history

Koh Nguang How, a resident living in Yishun, stores little snippets of Singapore history, in particular around Yishun. Newspapers and posters are part of his collection and the one-man museum also contains pictures of past events, performances, and other art pieces.

5. GV Yishun was the largest multiplex in Asia

The Yishun Golden Village Cinema opened in May 1992 (are you born yet?) and it was then the largest multiplex with the most screens (10 in all) in Asia. Yeah, Yishun used to hold a record!

6. Nee Soon was translated to Yishun due to a “Speak Mandarin” campaign

Back then, since the Government was encouraging netizens to speak Mandarin, a nation-wide campaign was launched to help people cope with speaking their mother tongue. Since Nee Soon was not exactly a Chinese name, they decided to change it to Yishun so that it’ll be easier for people to pronounce.

7. Yishun started Sembawang

Or rather, Lim Nee Soon started Sembawang. Nee Soon was one of the few pioneers that started Sembawang and served on the Rural Board from 1913 to 1921 and was also appointed a Justice of Peace.

8. The first apartment was started in Chong Pang

The first ever apartment development in Yishun was started in 1976, at Chong Pang. The New Town was designed to be built with residents convenience in mind; to have schools, markets, shopping centres, religious buildings, community buildings and recreational facilities within easy reach.

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