Pulau Sudong

Pulau Sudong is a 209-hectare coral island off the southern coast of Singapore. It was enlarged through a land reclamation process during the late 1970s.

Pulau Sudong
Subzone of Western Islands Planning Area
Name transcription(s)
 • Chinese苏东岛
 • Pinyinsūdōng dǎo
 • MalayPulau Sudong
 • Tamilசுடோங் தீவு
Pulau Sudong
Location of Pulau Sudong within Singapore
Coordinates: 1°12′30″N 103°43′17″E
CountrySingapore
Pulau Sudong Airport
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OwnerGovernment of Singapore
OperatorMINDEF
ServesSingapore
LocationPulau Sudong
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
09/27 2,440 7,999 Asphalt

Restricted area

Since the early 1980s, Pulau Sudong, together with Pulau Senang and Pulau Pawai, have formed the Singapore Armed Forces southern islands military training area and live-firing zone.[2] As with all other military installations in Singapore, the entire live-firing zone is strictly off limits to all civilians at all times of the day and night.[3] The only exceptions to this are for workers who are contracted by MINDEF to perform maintenance on the island's area calibration facilities.

The island's airport and dock are maintained by SAF,[4] with most areas covered by dense vegetation - the island is a wildlife haven for migratory birds and plants alike. The airstrip is only utilised for emergencies involving military aircraft.

Etymology and history

Sudong is the same as tudong in Malay, a cone-shaped food cover made from matting; it is also used as head covers by padi planters.

The government malaria research station, originally on Pulau Belakang Mati, was on the island.

In 2015, the former island inhabitants petitioned to be allowed back to the island for a day to fulfill their dying wish.[5]

Panoramic image
The Southern Islands, Singapore. Panoramic view of Pulau Satumu (Raffles Lighthouse), Pulau Biola, Pulau Senang, Pulau Pawai and Pulau Sudong, from Pulau Semakau. (Note: This is as close as you can get to see the islands due to its military sensitivity.)

References
  1. "Pulau Sudong Military Airstrip - Singapore". World Airport Codes.
  2. "www.mindef.gov.sg". www.mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 2019-01-08. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  3. "www.mindef.gov.sg". www.middef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
  4. "Events and Advisories Detail". www.mindef.gov.sg.
  5. "Former islanders ask to return to Pulau Sudong for a day". AsiaOne. March 31, 2015.

Sources
  • Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2004), Toponymics - A Study of Singapore Street Names, Eastern University Press, ISBN 981-210-364-3


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