Mystery of Marsiling Dungeons Solved

In 2006, an investigative group, The Singapore Paranormal Investigators (SPI) in Singapore researching on local popular and cultural beliefs unknowingly stumbled on an unusual underground tunnel system. The discovery was made by Dr Kenny Fong, leader of the SPI. Located deep in a secluded forest between the Woodlands and Marsiling district, it was dubbed the Woodlands Tunnels.

It was also given the ominous nickname, the Marsiling Dungeons. Newspapers covered the story extensively. The Land Authority of Singapore and the National Heritage Board had no records of the tunnels and were unable to identify their purpose. Singaporean academic historians, architects and archaeologists were also consulted on the tunnels but were not able to offer a clear explanation.

Speculations from the public further fuelled the mysterious nature of this tunnel structure until 2008 when archival and fieldwork research, including that of an intrepid UOW PhD researcher, John Kwok, finally uncovered the truth and untangled the mystery of the Marsiling Dungeons.

The Marsiling Dungeons turned out to be a specially built Pre-World War II Royal Air Force underground fuel reserve depot. It was probably constructed in the mid to late 1930s and was later forgotten after the war. Several relics dated from that period, such as reinforced lamps and valves were also found in the tunnels.

John Kwok and his fellow researchers examined archival military records and histories to establish its purpose. It is a rare find of an intact underground World War II concrete fuel storage tank structure in Singapore.

Interested to experience the tunnels yourself? Bukit Panjang CC & API is organizing a "Singapore Spooky Island Tour" to Kampong Lorong Buangkok, Ponggol Forest, Seh Ong Cemetery Village, Marsiling Underground Tunnels and many other graves area. To register, go to http://one.pa.gov.sg.