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Amid the shop closures, questions are growing about what it means to preserve Kampong Glam\u2019s culture.<\/p>\n
The Kampong Gelam Alliance (KGA), which brings together residents, business owners and cultural institutions, does not regulate rents.<\/p>\n
Instead, it facilitates conversations between tenants and landlords, advocates for the area\u2019s cultural value and works to increase footfall.<\/p>\n
One proposal is to extend weekend road closures at Bussorah Street and Baghdad Street to weekdays, allowing for more frequent performances and events.<\/p>\n
The alliance also plans to collaborate with businesses to organise activities tied to cultural periods such as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.<\/p>\n
It also hopes to draw more young people into the district \u2013 not just as visitors, but as entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need youth to come in, not just volunteer. Let them start something over here. Start a business \u2026 sell something,\u201d said Mr Syed Osman Alsagoff, KGA\u2019s place director.<\/p>\n
Most of the shophouses in Kampong Glam are owned by third- or fourth-generation descendants of Arab traders and former merchants.<\/p>\n
Rising rents and a lack of successors have shuttered many such heritage retailers.<\/p>\n
Along Arab Street, a handful of textile and kebaya shops remain.<\/p>\n
One of them is Toko Aljunied, a pre-war shophouse that has served four generations of customers.<\/p>\n
Owner Zahra Aljunied said many similar shops have closed, but her business has survived because she owns the premises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n