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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.

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Madam Chew Kim Keok (Bukit Brown)

August 06, 2025

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Low Aik Swee (Bukit Brown)

August 05, 2025

Block 4 Div C Died Young

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Koh Chong Keng and Yeo Gek Neo (Bukit Brown)

August 03, 2025

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Mrs. Chua Lye Hock nee Madam Tan Guan Buay (Bukit Brown)

August 03, 2025

Block 4 Div C ceramic photo marble video

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Mrs. Quek Tiang Swee nee Madam Chua Teng Neo (Bukit Brown)

August 02, 2025

Block 4 Div C video

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Tok Hock Guan (Bukit Brown)

August 01, 2025

Block 4 Div C video

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Tan Teck Siew Willie (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div C Died Young

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Seah Swee Kiat (Bukit Brown)

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Wee Toh Nee (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div C tomb mason

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Mrs. Koh Cheng Kiat nee Madam Lim Keok Neo in 2025 (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div C Family - Koh Cheng Kiat Nature of Bukit Brown

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Madam Chan Ah Moey (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div C ceramic photo decorative tiles

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Madam Low Siok Imm (Bukit Brown)

Block 4 Div C decorative tiles Epitaph video

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Ewe Yen Hee (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div C marble

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Mrs. Koh Kong Leng nee Goh Choo Neo (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div C decorative tiles Died Young marble

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Labels

Bukit Brown962
Hill 3343
Hill 1192
Hill 4172
Died Young162
decorative tiles153
Block 3 Div D138
Block 4 Div A118
Block 3 Div B100
Hill 2100

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

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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)

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

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

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Popular Post

Mrs. Choa Kim Keat nee Tan Hoon Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Tan Hoon Neo is the wife of Mr Choa Kim Keat. She passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on 1 February 1935 in 149 Neil Road. She is survived by 1 son, Choa Joon Hean , 2 daughters, 1 adopted daughter and 25 grandchildren. On her tomb, her date of birth is listed as 11 Day of 2nd Chinese Moon. The names of her children and grandchildren listed on the tomb are as follows; Son: Choa Joon Hean Daughters: Choa Yong Neo, Choa Poh Neo, Choa Hah Neo Grandchildren: Choa Watt Chiang Eric, Choa Watt Seng Walter, Choa Kwee Neo Jean, Choa Kim Neo, Nancy Tan Hoon Neo is the daughter of Mr. Tan Kim Ching, grand daughter of Mr. Tan Tock Seng. Mrs. Choa Kim Keat nee Madam Tan Hoo Neo Husband: Choa Kim Keat Choa Kim Keat was the only son of Choa Kai Hoon who came down from Malacca to Singapore and joined Choa Boon Buan & Co. (chop Khye Guan Tong), a Commission Agent in Boat Quay. Choa Kai Hoon eventually succeeded his brother Choa Chuan Ghio as the Manager ( bran...

Mrs. Chua Lye Hock nee Madam Tan Guan Buay (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Chuan Lye Hock nee Tan Guan Buay passed away in 1939. Children listed on her tomb are; sons: Chua Beng Kiat, Chua Beng Keong Daughters; Chua Gek Choo, Chua Gek Eng, Chua Gek Gor, Chua Gek Cheng Her tomb was heavily damaged with the entire headstone and shoulder falling face forward and marble crack in many parts. The pieces where fortunately around and was able to piece together. Mrs. Chua Lye Hock nee Madam Tan Guan Buay Mrs. Chua Lye Hock nee Madam Tan Guan Buay tomb in pieces

Chew Boon Lay (Bukit Brown)

Chew Boon Lay (周文礼) (1852-1933) was born in a small village in Changchow, Amoy. He became an orphan in his late teens and decided to take up his uncle's invitation to come over to Siam (formerly Thailand). He laboured hard under this tyrant of an uncle who paid him nothing and made him work from dawn to dust. Chew Boon Lay and Madam Ong Cheng Neo Saved by heavenly intervention On a faithful evening, 3 years after being practically been a slave, a visitor was said to have stole a sum of money and this uncle put the entire blame on Chew Boon Lay and threatened to turn him in to the police. In desperation, Chew Boon Lay came up with an idea to win the money through a stake on a lottery. Borrowing 1 tical from his sympathetic aunt, he prayed before Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy and in a moment of delirium or what is said a miracle, he heard two characters been spoken to him. He won, paid his uncle and with whatever left over vowed never to work for his uncle again and we...

Choa Joon Hean and family (Bukit Brown)

In Hill 2, now forever scarred by the 8 lane highway, the tomb of Mrs. Choa Joon Hean (nee Cheong Swat Leh ) is a unique tomb which is guarded or flanked by a pair of angels which looks like angels you would likely find in a Christian Cemetery rather than a Chinese one. Both husband and wife are buried side by side. The name Choa Joon Hean may not ring a bell to everyone, but the name Kim Keat might. Do read on if you are keen to find out more. Mrs. Choa Joo Hean Close up of the Angel Mr. Choa Joon Hean worked for many years with the Overseas Assurance Corporation. He was the son of Choa Kim Keat. Choa Joo Hean was also the Patron of the The Lunar Athletic and Musical Party. Mr. Choa Joon Hean passed away at age of 51 at 149 Neil Road on September 14, 1945. He is survived by: Sons: Choa Watt Chiang (Eric), Choa Watt Seng (Walter), Daughters: Choa Kwee Neo (Jean), Choa Kim Neo (Nancy) Grandson: Choa Choon Eng (Victor) Choa Joon Hean, President of the Lunar ...

Wee Toh Nee (Bukit Brown)

Wee Toh Nee passed away on 23 May 1944 at the age of 85. From Raymond Goh's blog , i gathered the name of his children as follows; Sons : Wee Ban Choon, Wee Ban Swee, Wee Ban Guan Grandson : Wee Teck Bee, Wee Teck Poh In 1912, it was reported that Wee Toh Nee of Chop Bun Bee of 179 and 503 Havelock Road had acquired 2 new telephone lines - 1265 and 1266. I am not to sure what business Wee Toh Nee was in, but from oral accounts from his descendant, he came from China and became a merchant trading in produce such as Sago. Wee Toh Nee married a local Nyonya (Tan Luan Neo). With his wealth he bought properties and acquired many especially in Shanghai Road area. Wee Toh Nee Property Purchases Wee Toh Nee bought freehold land at Shanghai Road area 4854 square feet for $900 (17 June 1919) Wee Toh Nee bought freehold land at Shanghai Road area 12,120 sq. ft for $2,800 Wee Toh Nee bought freehold land and house, 4,5 and 6 Beo Lane area 4,237 sq. ft for $5,850 (21 Ma...

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...

Sybil Medan Kathigasu (St. Michael's Catholic Church Ipoh Cemetery)

Sybil Medan Kathigasu ( 3 September 1899 - 12 June 1948) was born as Sybil Daly in Medan, Sumatra. She was the daughter of an Irish planter, Joseph Daly and Eurasian mother, Beatrie Mathilda Martin. While studying nursing and midwifery in Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, she met Dr. Arumugam Kanapathi Pillay, a Ceylonese. Faced with objections initially due to different religious background (she was Catholic and he, Hindu), he gain acceptance after becoming Catholic and taking the name Abdon Clement Kathigasu or Dr. A.C. Kathigasu. They married on 7 January 1919 at St. John's Church, Kuala Lumpur and eventually had 2 daughters and 1 adopted son. Sybil Kathigasu Together, they went into private practice with the clinic located at 141 Brewster Road, Ipoh but moved to Papan (a town outside of Ipoh), when the Japanese invaded Malaya. They established a clinic at No. 74 Main Street. During the Japanese occupation they continue to operate their clinic but got into trouble when they provide...

Mrs. Quek Tiang Swee nee Madam Chua Teng Neo (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Quek Tiang Swee nee Madam Chua Teng Neo passed away at the age of 47 on 4 May 1939. The tomb is unique with the headstone bearing the flags of the Republic of China. Other than that, i have no concrete information about them. There is no mentioned on the tomb of any children as well. Madam Chua Teng Neo with the flags of Republic of China Mrs. Quek Tiang Swee nee Madam Chua Teng Neo Location of tomb Block 4 Section C, plot 1473 Headstone with the flag of the Republic of China I have seen such symbols before which are more detailed and this flags usually denote the early flags of the Republic of China. (see Tan Tang Niah ; Yeo Tuck Quan ).

Khoo Yang Tin and family (Bukit Brown)

Khoo Yang Tin was a rice trader and was a Director of the Chinese Commercial Bank where other prominent chinese pioneers were in the Board of Directors. They included Mr. Lee Choon Guan (Chairman), Dr. Lim Boon Keng (Vice-Chairman), Lim Nee Soon , S.Q. Wong, Lee Kong Chian and many others over the years. With his wealth, he also bought many land all over Singapore. Khoo Yang Tin passed away at the age of 87 at his residence, 358 River Valley Road on 25 December 2603 (1943). He is survived by; His 2 widows, 5 sons: Khoo Teck Soon, Khoo Teck Chuan, Khoo Teck Puat, Khoo Teck Imm, Khoo Teck Quee 5 daughters: Khoo Tiam Tee, Khoo Ai Tee, Khoo Suat Ngoh, Khoo Suat Khim and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. The funeral took place on 31 December 1943. The executors of the estate of Khoo Yang Tin were Messrs. Khoo Teck Soon, Khoo Teck Chuan and Khoo Teck Puat Khoo Yang Tian Wife: Madam Yeo Kim Chiam Mrs. Khoo Yang Tin nee Yeo Kim Chiam passed away ...

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...

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