What You'll Do
Get ready for an exciting journey to Kukup and delve into the fascinating realm of fish farming alongside Ong Yeong Fang and Kamaludin, the brilliant minds behind Guan Lhee Fish Farm. As the custodians of a family legacy, Mr Ong and his dedicated siblings uphold a proud tradition in the fish industry. Discover the secrets behind their success and the hurdles they overcome, from navigating unpredictable water conditions to ensuring the health and vitality of their prized fish. Kamaludin, hailing from Lombok, Indonesia, brings a unique perspective to the team, infusing the farm with his expertise and unwavering commitment. Prepare to be captivated by their inspiring tales of resilience and innovation as you uncover the vibrant world of fish farming in Kukup.
About MY-SG
Singapore and Malaysia are closely knitted cultural, historically and socially. This series hopes to highlight the essential, everyday connections between Malaysia and Singapore—particularly through the flow of produce. From fresh produce and poultry to beloved snacks and ingredients, much of what fills our tables in Singapore begins its journey across the border.
This programme shines a light on the unseen hands and early-morning movements that keep our markets and kitchens stocked. Through stories and shared meals, MY-SG honours the people, relationships, and supply chains that nourish both nations, reminding us how interwoven our daily lives truly are.
About the Host
Mr Ong Yeong Fang, 47, is the second-generation owner of Guan Lhee Fish Farm in Kukup, Johor. He started out working as a fish wholesaler in Johor Bahru before taking over the family business established by his father. Today, Mr Ong runs the farm with his siblings, including his younger brother Ong Yeong Chyuan, 42. With a dedicated team of five workers, the farm supplies fish to markets in both Malaysia and Singapore.
Farming fish in Kukup is a labour-intensive process, taking about two years for each fish to grow to market size. Over the decades, Mr Ong has witnessed a dramatic shift in environmental conditions. In the past, up to 90% of the fish would survive, but today, due to challenges like rain, unpredictable weather, and declining water quality, survival rates have dropped to just 20–30%. Despite these difficulties, Mr Ong and his family remain committed to their work, continuing a generational trade that plays a vital role in the region’s aquaculture industry.
Who should come?
- Everyone is welcome to participate in this exciting tour!
Programme Details
- Approximate Duration: 11.5 hours (Please arrive 15-30 minutes before the tour for registration)
- Language: English and Mandarin
- Meeting Point: Meet at EITHER My Community's Office (Blk 115A Commonwealth Drive, #04-13, Singapore 149596) OR Chinese Garden MRT Station Exit A (Bus Stop B28341). A chartered bus will bring us to Malaysia.
- Ending Point: The event will start and end at Jurong Fishery Port (Fishery Port Rd, Singapore 619742)
- The tour will proceed rain or shine.
Attire
- Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable long sleeved clothing to protect themselves from the sun and from mosquitoes.
- Participants must wear covered shoes with good soles grip.
What to bring?
- Bring along your physical NRIC, passport, a change of clothes, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, insect repellent, a bottle of water and an umbrella.
- Each traveller is solely responsible for ensuring that his or her passport or other travel document is valid for at least 6 months from the date of return and that he or she has all necessary visas, permits or passes as may be required by the governmental authorities of Malaysia.
- Please bring along your own breakfast to consume on the bus.
- We recommend that participants bring 100RM/person for meals and additional expenses.
- Participants are encouraged to bring their own earphones (with a standard 3.5mm audio jack) because we will be using radio guides for the tour!
- Please ensure that you bring along any personal medication. Asthmatic individuals are reminded to bring their inhaler.
What to expect?
- As we will be visiting a farm, participants may need to walk on dirt paths during the tour.
Other important information
- Our facilitators will reach out to you before the event with further instructions. Please ensure that you are contactable via the email and phone number provided.
- The ending time provided is an estimate. Due to traffic congestion, customs clearance and other circumstances, the duration of the tour is an estimate and can only be used as a reference. Participants should not plan for activities after the tour.
- Parking is available at the meeting point. However, we recommend participants take public transport or a taxi to the meeting point to avoid extended parking charges.
- The venue is not wheelchair accessible.
- Photography is allowed at event premises.
Terms and Conditions
- Participants may wish to purchase a travel insurance separately. We will not be responsible for the loss, damage or theft of any item(s) belonging to a participant throughout the duration of the tour.
- Each ticket admits only one participant.
- Without limiting any other provision of these Terms and Conditions, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be responsible or assume any liability to any participant for:
- any injury, damage, loss or delay affecting any person or property not arising from our own negligence or breach;
- any loss, damage, cost, expense or delay suffered or incurred due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:
- actions or omissions of third parties (including any applicable third party service providers);
- mechanical breakdowns;
- a Force Majeure Event;
- a failure by the participant to comply with any of his or her obligations hereunder;
- a failure by the participant or traveller to posess, obtain or maintain any travel documentation required for the tour (e.g. health certificates, visas, valid passports, etc.);
- a failure by the participant to follow reasonable instructions, including but not limited to noting and complying with specified check-in and check-out and/or meeting places and times.
- The sequence of any itinerary for a tour may be subject to change from time to time, due to traffic conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.
- It is the responsibility of participants who are pregnant to ensure that they have a doctor’s certification that they are fit for travel. Notwithstanding any such doctor’s certificate, My Community has the sole discretion to disallow a pregnant traveller to undertake certain activities and no refund shall be payable in such event.
- By agreeing to participate in the tour, every participant will be responsible for any injury, loss of damage due to careIessness of other actions on his/her part or that of children under his/her charge.
- It is compulsory for a parent/guardian to accompany any child of or under the age of 18.
- Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.
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- Visit mycommunity.org.sg to learn about our initiatives.
- Visit mycommunityfestival.sg for all our latest updates.
