The name of this Rotary Club is taken from the giant complex of hotel, office and retail outlets bearing the name Bugis Junction, a major business centre in Singapore.

Bugis, Malabar, Hylam and Malay streets, now air-conditioned and integrated into this microcosm of urban life, are preserved as part of the grand heritage of Singapore.

For centuries past Bugis Kings ruled the peninsular of what is now South Sulawesi, the most famous was warrior King Arung Palakka. In his time Makassar was a centre of trade, home port for Bugis ships which sailed widely over Southeast Asia, trading and spreading the Bugis Diaspora, from Australia to Indochina, even to crossing the vast Indian Ocean to reach the island of Madagascar.

Bugis presence in the 15th century was well recorded by early Portuguese visitors, some 400 years before Sir Stamford Raffles claimed the island of Temasek, now Singapore. On the banks of the Rochore River the Bugis established a trading community which eventually extended to where Bugis Junction stands today. "Kampong Bugis" site may be seen on maps of Singapore.

The Board of RC Queenstown, gave a mandate to form a new club to PP Allan Yap and PP Sel. McVean on 22nd February 1996. The Provisional Club first met on 30th March, a club extension survey was then completed on 13th June, DG Datuk George Ginibun promptly gave his approval.

Rotary International President Luis Vicente Giay granted a charter on 18th September, and personally presented it to President Allan Yap at a district conference at Kuala Lumpur on 22nd November 1996. A unique occasion, being the first visit of a Rotary International President to this District.

Government Registry of Societies approval of the constitution and by-laws was received on 1st November 1996.