My Paper 15 Jul 09;
TUCKED away beneath a flyover in Jalan Buroh, nine statuettes stand overlooking the waters of Sungei Pandan.
Caked in dust from burnt-out jossticks placed in holders before them, the Taoist figurines stand next to a framed picture of a crab, atop makeshift altars fashioned from discarded wooden tables.
Away from the hustle and bustle of city life,makeshift places of worship like these are not uncommon and devotees turn up at such odd places.
For example, punters and devotees flock to the "Nadu Guniang" shrine along a bike trail in Pulau Ubin, which features an urn believed to hold the ashes of a German girl.
A Barbie doll, adorned with yellow cloth and beads, takes pride of place on the altar, on which lie neat stacks of perfumes and cosmetics.
Yet another place of worship lies near an old quarry off Tampines Avenue 10, an area popular with fishing enthusiasts and Thai workers.
Colourful flags bearing Buddhist scriptures mark the spot where devotees gather to make offerings of fruit, incense and
drinks.
Mr Chua Seng Thye, 47, who frequents the area at least twice a week to fish, said the makeshift "temple" has been around
for three years.
"The Thai workers fish, eat and pray at the area daily... and they believe that the flags serve as a religious charm of sorts, mainly for protection," he said.
But it is over at Jalan Buroh that many devotees swamp the makeshift temple on Sundays.
When my paper visited the area two weeks ago, the reporter saw more than 70 tealight candles, oil lamps, withered flower offerings and prayer beads surrounding the Taoist figurines.
The 84-year-old caretaker, who gave his name only as Ah Pong, said: "They make their offerings and then release crabs in to the waters as part of their ritual."
However, a spokesman for the Singapore Land Authority said such makeshift temples are illegal as they are "potential fire hazards and pollutants and can cause major obstruction".
He added that the occupier at the flyover had been warned to remove the items within seven days.
Such activities carry penalties, including a maximum fine of $5,000 or a prison term of six months, or both.
