Old Nam Seng Garden, bounded by Boon Keng, Serangoon, Bendemeer Roads and Kallang River. 32 was originally established from old Mangah Kah (Kempes Road), from which across the road was the old garden where most the guys hang around. Hence, we always call that area the Garden even though the term isn't officially used anymore after the HDB development of Bendemeer areas in the 70s.
At the redevlopment of Mangah Kah in the 90s, that original 32 base was turned into a mass demolishing and reconstruction site for years, the rest of 32 seniors there also relocated to the Garden (huay hng) or across the road to Bendemeer (hai tuey) or upstream Kallang River to Whampoa areas. Naturally, 32 strengthened in these areas. The reclamation of land on Bendemeer (that's why a.k.a. hai tuey) led to the Kolam Ayer part of Kallang River being artificially split into two tributaries. Before that, it was a lake, that's why it was called Kolam Ayer or Water Basin, a.k.a. Kallang Basin in the past.
The north-west side of the split became Chinese area and the south-east side of the split became Malay area that is now Kallang Bahru, meaning New Kallang. Kallang Bahru was initially populated mostly with Malays relocated from old Malay kampongs along East Coast areas requisited, a long stretch of that with further land reclamation for redevelopment and later known as Marine Parade. Of the East Coast old Malay kampongs, only Kampong Kembangan was saved because that was inhabited by wealthy and politically influential Malays already living in terrace houses and bungalows, not under atap roofs on stilts.
The initial Chinese and Malay territorial split in this area naturally caused rivalry, suspicion and tension. There weren't really riots but Chinese-Malay affrays and fights were common. Malays have no gang, or only one gang, their Muslim gang. Chinese have several dialects and gangs. 32 being well established here became the Chinese unifying and protecting force. My family was originally from 24, the Sungei Road to Beach Road area branch. We were also relocated here in the 70s. My father and uncles also became friendly with 32 and most of us ended up with double membership with common enemies being 08.
