Jalan Ampas, Singapore

Jalan Ampas is a short but historically significant road in Singapore, located off Balestier Road and connected near its northeastern end to Lorong Ampas. At just about 275 metres in length, it occupies postal District 12 and lies within the Novena Planning Area.

Quick Facts

Road length: ~275 metres
Location: off Balestier Road, Singapore District 12
Planning Area: Novena
Former major use: Home of the film studio Malay Film Productions (MFP) 1947-67
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh MRT Station (NS19)
Key heritage: Golden era of Malay-language cinema, notable stars such as P. Ramlee

History and Origins

The site along Jalan Ampas became prominent when the Shaw Organisation secured a warehouse at No. 8 Jalan Ampas in 1947 and set up Malay Film Productions (MFP). ¹ The studio would go on to produce more than 150 films during its heyday, making the road synonymous with the “golden age” of Malay-language cinema in Singapore and Malaya. ²

During the 1950s and early 1960s, MFP churned out six to ten films per year, utilising the Jalan Ampas premises for shooting, editing and post-production. ³ By 1967, due to changing audience tastes, rising costs and competition from television and imported films, the studio was closed and the production operations ceased. ⁴

Name and Pronunciation

The name “Jalan Ampas” is Malay for “Sugar-cane pulp road”, reflecting the agricultural or estate-past of the area in earlier times. ⁵ The word “Jalan” means “road”, and “Ampas” refers to the fibrous residue after sugar-cane pressing. In common English pronunciation, it is “Juh-lan Am-pahs”, while in IPA one might approximate it as /ˈdʒɑːlæn ˈæmpəs/.

Character of the Street and Surroundings

Today, Jalan Ampas is a quiet back lane just off the more trafficked Balestier Road. The area retains a low-rise, heritage-layered feel, with older shop-houses and historical buildings adjoining more modern residential blocks. The local ambience is one of hidden history rather than overt glitz.

The road’s modest length (just ~275 m) means that one can walk the full stretch in under five minutes. On one side you glimpse the older industrial/film-studio architecture of MFP; on the other, the everyday life of Novena/Whampoa neighbourhoods. Bus stops along Balestier serve the area, making it accessible yet tucked away.

Nearby Streets and Connectivity

Key connections around Jalan Ampas include:

Balestier Road – A major artery that the lane connects off from, busy with eateries and shops.
Lorong Ampas – A smaller lane linking into the northeastern end of Jalan Ampas.
Whampoa Drive / Whampoa Park – Nearby residential streets providing local access to amenities and schools.

Interesting Sights Along or Near the Road

Former Malay Film Productions Studio (No. 8 Jalan Ampas) – The historic film studio building where legends like P. Ramlee worked. ²
Balestier heritage shophouses – Within walking distance, the Balestier area features many early 20th-century shop houses and local food centres.
Wayang/filming mural installations – Occasionally heritage-tours in the area highlight the film-studio legacy of the road. ⁶

Real Estate Profile

Given its heritage status and inner-city location, residential properties near Jalan Ampas command above-average prices. In 2025 listings for nearby units (~800 sq ft / 74 sq m) in the Novena/Balestier zone quote around SGD 1.2 million to SGD 1.4 million, equating to ~SGD 1,500–1,750 psf. It remains higher than many fringe suburbs. ⁷

For rental, units in the area can go for around SGD 4.50–5.50 psf per month (~SGD 3,600–4,400/month for ~800 sq ft). These compare to broader Singapore averages of ~SGD 3.00–3.50 psf for suburban locations in 2025. ⁸

Nearest MRT Station & Bus Access

The nearest MRT station is Toa Payoh MRT Station (NS12) on the North South Line, is the nearest but still quite a distance from Jalan Ampas. Bus stops along Balestier Road service multiple routes, including Bus 21, 131, 506 among others, linking to Novena, Orchard, and other parts of Singapore. ⁹

Fun Fact

A fun and little-known fact: Despite its short length, Jalan Ampas was at the heart of one of the busiest film-production hubs in Southeast Asia during its era. In the 1950s, the studio at No. 8 produced up to ten films a year, and it is credited with launching the multi-talented star P. Ramlee, a household name in Malay-language cinema. ³

Map of Jalan Ampas, Singapore

References

Page Details

This page was created on 1 November 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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