Skip to main content

Rojak Librarian

The Rojak Librarian is a blog that covers a range of topics related to Singapore's history, culture, and heritage. I wrote many articles on Bukit Brown, exploring the cemetery's past and present, the lives of the early pioneers buried there and the social and cultural significance of the site. I also cover about nature and birdwatching.

Search This Blog

Home
Bukit Brown
Bidadari Christian Cemetery
Rojak Librarian+
Sitemap

Posts

Madam Tan Pek Neo (Bukit Brown)

November 30, 2025

Block 3 Div C video

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Teo Hock Leng (Bukit Brown)

November 29, 2025

Block 3 Div C Died Young marble

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Chia Keng Yee (Bukit Brown)

November 29, 2025

Block 3 Div C Died Young

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Yeo Tee Ngan (Bukit Brown)

November 29, 2025

Block 3 Div C ceramic photo

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Miss Sim Meow Eng (Bukit Brown)

November 29, 2025

Block 3 Div C Died Young Teochew Tomb

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Newspaper mentions - 2025

November 25, 2025

newspaper mentions

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Mrs. Chia Hood Seng nee Madam Yeo Inn Neo (Bukit Brown)

November 21, 2025

Block 4 Div C Hill 4

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Teo Soon Lam (Bukit Brown)

November 20, 2025

Block 5 Division C ceramic photo Died Young marble

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Tan Sai Kim (Kopi Sua)

November 19, 2025

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Yap Geok Song's Pineapple Factory off Grove Road

November 18, 2025

Building Plans Merchant

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Mrs. Tan Eng Ban nee Madam Lucy Chia Bin Neo (Kopi Sua)

November 16, 2025

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Franz Izako's Circus in Singapore 1934

November 16, 2025

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Oh Gim Neo (Bukit Brown)

November 10, 2025

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Labels

Bukit Brown949
Hill 3343
Hill 1191
Hill 4173
Died Young168
decorative tiles157
Block 3 Div D138
Block 4 Div A120
Block 3 Div C104
Block 3 Div B101

Show more Show less

Rojak Librarian (Peter Pak): Advocate for Conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Heritage and Nature Enthusiast.

Total Pageviews

Subscribe to Youtube Channel

Subscribe to Instagram

Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Newspaper mentions (2017)

Tuesday Report (2018) 星期二特写 | 行脚。发现第4集：武吉布朗之旅

Newspaper mentions(2022)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Newspaper mentions(2025)

The Stories Behind: Birdwatcher turned grave hunter reunites families with forgotten tombs of their ancestors(2022)

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

Archive

2025 207

2024 188
- December 18
- November 12
- October 26
- September 32
- August 21
- July 7
- June 11
- May 15
- April 14
- March 16
- February 7
- January 9
2023 168
- December 10
- November 7
- October 12
- September 20
- August 10
- July 9
- June 31
- May 18
- April 5
- March 12
- February 12
- January 22
2022 237
- December 11
- November 15
- October 20
- September 6
- August 15
- July 15
- June 12
- May 6
- April 17
- March 37
- February 54
- January 29
2021 326
- December 19
- November 47
- October 36
- September 24
- August 27
- July 31
- June 25
- May 20
- April 17
- March 28
- February 26
- January 26
2020 113
- December 13
- November 21
- October 13
- September 11
- August 8
- July 7
- June 6
- May 8
- April 6
- March 6
- February 6
- January 8
2019 52
- December 1
- October 2
- September 5
- August 4
- July 8
- June 7
- May 4
- April 4
- March 6
- February 4
- January 7
2018 53
- December 2
- November 4
- October 4
- September 5
- August 9
- July 9
- June 3
- April 2
- March 5
- February 5
- January 5
2017 52
- December 1
- November 1
- October 1
- September 2
- August 4
- July 7
- June 8
- May 3
- April 8
- March 6
- February 4
- January 7
2016 52
- December 4
- August 2
- July 8
- June 3
- May 8
- April 11
- March 10
- February 5
- January 1
2015 43
- December 4
- November 5
- October 3
- July 1
- June 5
- May 1
- April 6
- March 6
- February 6
- January 6
2014 92
- December 6
- November 5
- October 7
- September 5
- August 5
- July 11
- June 8
- May 10
- April 8
- March 8
- February 9
- January 10
2013 99
- December 8
- November 9
- October 9
- September 4
- August 4
- July 10
- June 8
- May 8
- April 9
- March 10
- February 10
- January 10
2012 78
- December 7
- November 6
- October 10
- September 5
- August 2
- July 5
- June 4
- May 8
- April 7
- March 9
- February 8
- January 7
2011 44
- December 7
- November 8
- October 2
- September 1
- July 2
- June 5
- May 6
- April 6
- March 3
- February 1
- January 3
2010 29
- December 4
- November 4
- October 8
- September 8
- August 3
- April 2
2008 2
- February 1
- January 1
2007 10
- November 1
- August 4
- June 4
- April 1
2006 11
- November 1
- August 1
- June 3
- March 1
- February 3
- January 2
2005 45
- November 3
- October 3
- May 1
- April 13
- March 25
2004 6
- September 3
- August 3

Show more Show less

Support My Efforts

Popular Post

Serendipity encounter with Chia Hian Neo (daughter of Chia Seng Quee and Chua Kim Neo) at Bukit Brown

We arrived Bukit Brown slightly late (as it rained earlier in the morning). We were lucky as Soh Ah Beng who was waiting for us chatted with a family and we were told by Ah Beng that they could not find a tomb at Bukit Brown Hill 4 Section A. Striking a conversation with them and looking at the picture from their phone, i was pleasantly surprised it came from my blogpost on Chia Seng Quee ! What coincidence and good luck as they were just about to leave empty handed. Among the descendant present was no other than Chia Seng Quee's daughter ! - Madam Chia Hian Neo. She is 91 years old, sharp as ever and fit enough to make the long climb up to visit her father. She indeed is an inspiration to me as she still actively participates in community activities and is a Dance Instructor. It was one of her dance student /partner that encouraged her to visit her father, something that the Chia family have done in the past together with their mother, Mrs. Chia Seng Quee nee Chua Kim Neo but due...

Kamala Circus - The Great Indian Circus visits Singapore

I heard about the Tai Thean Kew circus from my involvement with Bukit Brown and during one my tours on the Queenstown Heritage Trail , i was told of another Indian circus troupe that existed in the late 1950's and 1960's. Recently, while curating ideas for a Bukit Brown tour on Pioneers of Early Entertainment, i came across a travelling circus troupe by the name of Kamala Circus. Kamala Circus (source: NewspaperSG) Kamala Circus was reputed to be the largest travelling show in the Far East. It boasted over 100 Indian artist and featured acts such as the flying trapeze act, the "Globe of Death" motor cycle act by two young girls, a 30 foot leap by a motorcyclist and the "cat" act. It claims over 300 tons of equipment and animals which include 16 horses, 8 Ceylon baby elephants, an African lion and 2 lionesses, 2 tiger cubs and 3 Indian mountain goats. It came to Singapore in 1947 from India via Ceylon and performed for a month before touring around th...

Newspaper mentions - 2025

It was a well written article after months of interview and walking the ground by journalist Cherie Lok . The abandoned car title was to me just a distraction, the real story is about the Bukit Brown memories and memories of the village and school that once stood there and i am very happy that Soh Ah Beng got featured the most among many others in this article. He was after all the villager who experience this place from young till now and our constant companion in our discoveries and documentation. Below is the text i extracted from the article featured on Straits Times, with photos from me, except for 1 which featured Soh Ah Beng on the cover of Sunday Straits Times which capture the true essence of the article - Keeping memories of Bukit Brown alive . Soh Ah Beng at the footsteps of his former school (source: The Sunday Times, 23 November 2025) Who drove into the forest? How 4 abandoned cars ended up near this Singapore cemetery SINGAPORE – I stand on a patch of soil, flecked w...

Tan Swee Hoe and family (Batu Pahat)

Sometime back in August 2012, i wrote an article about Tan Swee Hoe who is buried in Bukit Brown . Tan Swee Hoe came to Singapore as a young boy and worked his way up, eventually becoming one of founders of Ho Hong Bank, and later a director of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) after it merged with it. He was also for two terms, the president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Batu Pahat, shareholder of Ho Aik Steamships. Tan Swee Hoe was a member of the Council of State, Johore and received a title S.M.J (Setia Mahkota Johore) from the government of Johore in 1929 for his contributions. He owned several property in Singapore and Batu Pahat. Tan Swee Hoe In January 2014, i was fortunate to make a trip with like minded friends to Batu Pahat to visit one of the properties he owned as well as a temple he contributed too and finally the grave of his son. Tan Swee Hoe's mansion First on my wishlist was Tan Swee Hoe's mansion on 160 Jalan Kluang, Batu Paha...

Teo Soon Lam (Bukit Brown)

Teo Soon Lam was born on 9 March 1941 and passed away on 10 September 1941. His tomb is rare as it as a huge ceramic photo of him. From the burial registrar, Teo Soon Lam was listed as Hokkien and his age, 6 months old. From the photo i can make two possible bangles on his hand - maybe jade bangles ? and what looks like his pacifier ! Baby Teo Soon Lam Teo Soon Lam, 6 months old -passed away on 10 September 1941 Location of tomb Block 5 Section C, plot 18 Close-by his tomb is another tomb of Tan Kai How who died young at 4 years old . Teo Soon Lam tomb in Bukit Brown 20240220

Lim Nee Soon and family (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Lim Nee Soon's wife (Wee Pek Hay) and two of his son's ( Lim Chong Kuo and Lim Chong Pang ) tomb can be found in Bukit Brown, Block 4 Division A. Mr. Lim Nee Soon is not buried there but in Nanking, China. It is however difficult to write a story about Lim Nee Soon family members tomb cluster in Bukit Brown, without first introducing Mr. Lim Nee Soon first. Pineapple King and Patriot Mr. Lim Nee Soon (1879-1936) is the son of Mr Lim Peng Guan and was born in Kampong Glam, Beach Road in 1879. His father died when Lim Nee Soon was only 8 years old and was left in the care of his maternal grandfather, Mr. Teo Lee (Mr Teo Eng Hock's father). Lim Nee Soon received his early education in both St. Joseph Institution and Anglo-Chinese School and therefore proficient in both English and Chinese languages. A Teochew, he started from scratch, working as a shopkeeper assistant at the age of 18 and from there he climbed the rungs by next working for timber merchant Tan Tye a...

Kwa Siew Tee and family (Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery)

Kwa Siew Tee, a Semarang born Chinese was a Municipal Commissioner (an appointment he held till 1949). He was also the General Manager of Overseas Chinese Bank Corporation Limited, Assistant General Manager of The Eastern United Assurance Corporation, Limited and a Member of the Hospital Board. He received a Certificate of Honour in 1951. Kwa Siew Tee passed away at the age of 89 on 20 March 1977. Group photo of the founding of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation in 1932 Kwa Siew Tee is standing behind. (source: National Archives of Singapore) Family Kwa Siew Tee and family (source: National Archives of Singapore) Wife: Madam Wee Yew Neo Madam Wee Yew Neo is the daughter of Wee Theam Seng . She passed away on 14 May1980. She is survived by; 3 sons: Kwa Soon Siew, Kwa Soon Chuan, Kwa Soon Bee 4 daughters: Kwa Geok Neo, Kwa Geok Lan, Kwa Geok Choo, Kwa Geok Eng. Son: Kwa Soon Hock Kwa Soon Hock is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Kwa Siew Tee. He was a sta...

Mrs. Ang Kim Soon nee Koh Geok Kin (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Ang Kim Soon nee Koh Geok Kin tomb caught my eye because of an important word - Bukit Brown ! It is very rare for Bukit Brown to be mentioned on the headstone and this is what makes this simple tombstone located at Block 3 Division plot 135 very unique. Madam Koh Geok Kim, wife of Ang Kim Soon of the Malaya Tribune Press, Ltd., Singapore passed away at General Hospital at 11:30 pm on 3 May 1934. She leaves behind her husband, 2 sons and a daughter. The cortege left from No. 6 Onan Road for Bukit Brown Cemetery. (Malacca and Sarawak papers please copy). Fortunately from her tomb, we can see the names of 2 of her children; Ang Jin Bin and Ang Gee Bin. From the burial registrar, i gathered that Mrs. Ang Kim Soon nee Koh Geok Kim was 36 years old when she passed away. Another interesting nugget is her nickname. Madam Koh Geok Kin alias Burok. In another obituary notice from the newspaper archives, Koh Geok Kin name is spelt as Koh Geok Kim. Mrs. Ang Kim S...

Madam Tan Pek Neo (Bukit Brown)

The headstone, shoulders have all fallen due to some huge impact the past. Visible were the names of the grand daughters and grandsons. We decided to upright this tomb so we can get more information about who is buried here. It took a while but fortunately, with help, we are able to document this tomb. Madam Tan Pek Neo passed away at the age of 75 on July 1934. She is the mother of; Sons: Ho Kee Hoo, Ho Kee Guan, Ho Kee Hin, Ho Kee Seng Marble slab under the altar unveiled - Madam Tan Pek Neo Grandson: Ho Eng Choon, Ho Eng Quee, Ho Kim Seng, Ho Kim Hock, Ho Kim Chye, Ho Hock Yew, Ho Kim Hong, Ho Kim Sang Granddaughters: Ho Hee Neo, Ho Kiat Neo, Ho Chwee Neo, Ho Ai Neo, Ho Geok Neo, Ho Lian Neo, Ho Jannie, Ho June Grandsons of Madam Tan Pek Neo Granddaughters of Madam Tan Pek Neo What i am able to find so far Son: Ho Kee Hoo Ho Kee Hoo passed away at the age of 67 at his residence, 51 Marshall Road, Katong on 6 November 1940 leaving behind his wife, Madam W...

Miss Sim Meow Eng (Bukit Brown)

The teochew tomb reads Miss Sim Meow Eng. Fortunately the plot number is also written - 57. From the burial registrar, her name is written as Sim Ah Mai. She was 18 years old when she passed away on July 1934. Miss Sim Meow Eng / Sim Ah Mai Teochew tomb of Miss Sim Meow Eng Location of tomb Block 3 Section C, plot 57 20251129

Rojak Librarian +

Heritage in S'pore and M'sia

All things Bukit Brown
Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录
Bukit Brown Cemetery
Bukit Brown Trails
Burial Registrar
Bukit Brown Documentation of Graves
Singapore Heritage Society
Bukit Brown Tomb
Historic Chinese Architecture in Singapore
Our Bedok Kampong House
Good morning yesterday
Oceanskies
Remember Singapore
Yesterday.sg
Bits & Pieces
Overseas Chinese in the British Empire

Nature Groups in S'pore and M'sia

Bird Ecology Study Group(Singapore)
Nature Society Singapore
Malaysian Nature Society
Singapore Environment Council
S'pore Bird Group
S'pore Butterfly Interest Group
Wild Singapore
Raffles Museum of Bio-Diversity's Habitatnews-
Nature Photographic Society (Singapore)
Oriental Bird Club
Butterfly Circle Checklist

Nature in S'pore and M'sia

Focus Ubin
National Parks(Singapore)
Mangrove Flora and fauna of Sg Buloh
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve-Wildlife Singapore
Online guide to Chek Jawa, Ubin

Bird Database & Resources

Singapore Birds
Singapore Birds Project
Birding in Malaysia
Oriental Bird Images
Xeno Canto
Birder Resource

Daily Moon Phase

Powered by Blogger

2005-2025, All Rights Reserved, Rojak Librarian