Ruqayyah Snyder
The Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel, also known as Asrama Kerajaan Brunei di Singapura (AKBS), is an abandoned compound nestled in the affluent district of Tanglin in Singapore. Built in the 1950s, the hostel was established to accommodate bright Bruneian students sent to Singapore for better education opportunities. In addition to students, the hostel also housed Bruneian government officials undergoing training programmes. However, with the improvement of Brunei's education system in the 1980s, the hostel was closed in 1983 and has since remained deserted. Today, the property is still owned by the Brunei Consulate, but the buildings have fallen into disrepair and are slowly being reclaimed by nature. Despite warnings against trespassing, the site has attracted urban explorers, photographers, and those seeking a thrill due to its reputation for supernatural occurrences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Construction Date | Early 1950s |
| Purpose | To host students from Brunei |
| Owner | Brunei Consulate |
| Current State | Abandoned, dilapidated, overgrown with nature |
| Visitor Reports | Strange noises, sightings, feelings |
| Visitor Activities | Photography, graffiti, urban exploration |
What You'll Learn
The hostel's history
The Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel, also known as the Asrama Kerajaan Brunei di Singapura (AKBS), was built in the 1950s to accommodate students from Brunei studying in Singapore. In the early 50s, the Bruneian government had yet to establish a proper education system, so they sent their brightest students abroad to Singapore for better education opportunities. 20 students were selected annually based on their performance in primary school exams.
The Bruneian government purchased the land on Tanglin Hill to build the hostel, which was completed in 1958. The buildings were designed in a colonial style, with a multi-storey block added later to accommodate the increasing number of students. The hostel provided meals, laundry, textbooks, and allowances for the students, as well as housing for Bruneian government officials in training. Sports and national events were also celebrated at the hostel, fostering a sense of Bruneian heritage.
By the 1980s, Brunei had developed its own secondary school education system, reducing the need to send students to Singapore for their studies. As a result, the Bruneian government closed the hostel in 1983, and it has been abandoned since then. The property is still owned by the Brunei Consulate, but a lack of maintenance has led to urban decay and natural overgrowth. Despite warnings against trespassing, the site has attracted urban explorers, hantu hunters, and photographers due to its eerie atmosphere and rumoured supernatural occurrences.
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The hostel's architecture
The Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel, or Asrama Kerajaan Brunei di Singapura (AKBS), was built in 1958 to accommodate the increasing number of students from Brunei who were sent to Singapore for schooling. The buildings were designed in the colonial style, with a multi-storey block added a few years later. The hostel provided meals, laundry, textbooks, and allowances for the students, as well as housing for Bruneian government officials in training. It was a hub of Bruneian culture, with celebrations of national events and sports competitions. However, with the development of secondary schools in Brunei by 1983, the hostel was closed and has been abandoned ever since.
Today, the property is still owned by the Brunei Consulate but has fallen into disrepair, with nature reclaiming the site. The buildings, once grand, now feature collapsed ceilings and rubble, with graffiti covering the walls. Despite the "No Trespassing" signs, the site has become a favourite haunt for those seeking a thrill, with reports of ghost sightings and supernatural occurrences.
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The hostel's residents
The Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel, also known as the Asrama Kerajaan Brunei di Singapura (AKBS), was built in the early 1950s to accommodate students from Brunei studying in Singapore. The Bruneian government of the time had not yet established a proper education system, so they sent their brightest students to Singapore for better education opportunities. The hostel was built on land purchased by the Bruneian government at Tanglin Hill to provide convenient lodging for these students.
The hostel was completed in 1958 and provided a range of facilities for its residents, including meals, laundry, textbooks, and allowances. It is said that the students quickly adapted to hostel life and created happy memories. About 200 students lived at the facility at any given time, with around five students occupying each of the 24 rooms spread over three floors. The students' days followed a routine, starting with breakfast and preparation for the school day, followed by transportation to their various schools. In the afternoons, they would return to the hostel to do their homework, play sports, and even compete in a yearly house championship.
In addition to students, the hostel also housed Bruneian government officials in training and some Malayan students. The residents celebrated major Bruneian festivals and holidays, such as Hari Raya and the Sultan's Birthday, and organised sports competitions to enhance cohesion among the students.
By the 1980s, Brunei had developed its own secondary school education system, and the number of students coming to Singapore decreased. As a result, the Bruneian government decided to close the hostel in 1983, and it has been abandoned since then. Despite its current state of disrepair, the Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel holds a rich history and is a reminder of the time when it served as a residence for Bruneian students in Singapore.
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The hostel's closure
The Hostels Closure
The Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel, also known as Asrama Kerajaan Brunei di Singapura (AKBS), was built in the early 1950s to accommodate students from Brunei studying in Singapore. At the time, Brunei lacked a proper education system, so the Bruneian government decided to send its brightest students overseas. As the number of Bruneian students in Singapore increased, the Bruneian government purchased land at Tanglin Hill to build a hostel for them. The hostel was completed in 1958 and provided various facilities and conveniences for the students, including meals, laundry, textbooks, and allowances.
In addition to students, the hostel also housed Bruneian government officials who were undergoing training programs. The residents celebrated Bruneian festivals and holidays and organised sports competitions to foster a sense of community.
However, by the 1980s, Brunei had established its own secondary school education system, reducing the need for students to travel to Singapore for their studies. As a result, the Bruneian government decided to close the hostel in 1983. The property has remained abandoned since then, slowly succumbing to urban decay and nature. Despite being private property with clear "No Trespassing" signs, the hostel has attracted urban explorers, photographers, and those seeking a thrill due to its eerie and dilapidated state.
Today, the property is still owned by the Brunei Consulate, but it has fallen into a state of disrepair. The buildings have collapsed ceilings and are strewn with rubble, with nature slowly reclaiming the site. While there have been reports of supernatural occurrences and ghost sightings, most of the hostel's allure stems from its rich history and the memories it holds for those who once called it home.
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The hostel's current state
The Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel, also known as the Asrama Kerajaan Brunei di Singapura (AKBS), is a derelict compound in the heart of the affluent Tanglin district in Singapore. It has been abandoned for nearly four decades, with the last students leaving in 1983. The hostel was built in the 1950s to accommodate students from Brunei, whose government had not yet established a proper education system. The buildings were designed in a colonial style, with a multi-storey block added later to accommodate a growing number of students.
Today, the hostel stands in a state of urban decay, with nature slowly reclaiming the site. The walls are covered in graffiti, and the parade square is blanketed by moss. The site is fenced off and considered private property, with signs warning against trespassing. Despite this, some urban explorers and ghost hunters have ventured inside, reporting paranormal sightings and strange noises.
The hostel holds a rich history as a residence for Bruneian students and officials. It provided a convenient and comfortable space for students, with facilities such as meals, laundry, textbooks, and allowances. Sports and national events were also celebrated, fostering a sense of community and Bruneian heritage. With the development of secondary schools in Brunei, the need for the hostel diminished, leading to its closure in 1983.
The Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel is more than just an abandoned building; it is a reminder of a time when students from Brunei called this place home and created lasting memories.
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Frequently asked questions
The hostel is on private property and it is illegal to trespass. The hostel is cordoned off to the public and likely not structurally sound anymore. However, some people have managed to enter the property by climbing through the space on the left side of the main gate or by entering through a hole in the fence on the right side of the building.
It is not recommended to enter the buildings as they have not been maintained for many years and may collapse at any time. There are also reports of strange encounters and experiences in the hostel, although nothing violent or sinister has been reported.
The hostel was built in the early 1950s to host students from Brunei as their government had not yet established a proper education system. The hostel provided lodging, meals, laundry, textbooks, and allowances for the students. It was closed in 1983 when Brunei's secondary school education system was up and running, and it has been abandoned since.
