Ng Thian Eng (Greater Bukit Brown)

What started with two images i found on the National Archives website, lead me to the headline "Missing trader mystery deepens". The images are of the funeral of Mr. Ng Thian Eng, a businessman. Mr. Ng Thian Eng and his family formerly lived in Shanghai where he was in charge of the Chung Nam Bank, established by his late millionaire father, Mr Ng Aik Choo. He was also a partner of the Sin Chew Brickworks, in Jurong Road.

Funeral of Mr. Ng Thian Eng
source: a2o


Funeral of Mr. Ng Thian Eng
source:a2o 


Sin Chew Bricks
(source: NewspaperSG)

Mr. Ng Thian Eng told his family members he was going to office on Christmas eve, 1952. He left his home at 10:30 am in a taxi hailed by his daughter, Miss Ng Say Cho and later visited a barber's shop owned by Mr Low Cheng Seng in the Arcade. He was last seen entering a taxi in Raffles Place. He did not show up in his office and was not seen since for a month until his body was eventually found by a farmer. His decomposed body was discovered lying in thick lallang, by a farmer by the name of Ho Mi Nei  who was cutting banana leaves in a jungle near 9 1/2 milestone Jurong Road, 16 feet from a bus stop. Mr Koh Peng Lam, Mr. Ng's brother-in-law and partner identified him by his shoe and belt.

Suspected Foul Play and result of investigation

Relatives of Mr Ng told reporters that they suspected foul play as the body was not recovered in one piece with the head and one foot detached from the main body. A severed rope was found on a tree near the body and belongings found on the deceased included two cigarettes, 30 cents, an identity card, a belt and 1 shoe. The advanced stage of decomposition made it difficult to trace for any possible wounds and injuries. A gold pocket watch, gold chain and locket, pen, medal and a pair of spectacles were reported to be missing.

The police found a small bottle, the size of an ink pot containing liquid near the body which was sent for analysis. Dr. A Aaron, Assistant Government Chemist reported that the body was too decomposed for the cause of death to be decided. The report went further to describe that arsenic and disinfectant was found in Mr. Ng's stomach and death was probably due to poisoning. Mr Giam Chong Hing, the Singapore Coroner at the inquest returned the verdict of suicide, motive unknown.

Ng Thian Eng
(source: NewspaperSG )

Bukit Brown connection

Ng Thian Eng, 51 years of age (listed in another newspaper article as 57 years of age) was buried at a Singapore Chinese Cemetery, off Whitley Road on January 26, 1953. He has 6 sons (with the youngest of whom is 13 years of age) and 1 daughter. His widow was Madam Ho Leong Neo, age 47. Accompanying the procession is 100 leading members of the Singapore Hokkien community. Where exactly is this cemetery? I suspect possibly, this is located in Kopi Sua  or Loa Sua, what is known as Greater Bukit Brown cemetery but i do not know the exact location of the tomb.

References

Missing trader mystery deepens. (1952, December 31). The Straits Times
Mr. Ng is buried. (1953, January 27). The Singapore Free Press
Rope found on tree near trader's body. (1953, January 27). The Straits Times
Test for mystery liquid. (1953, January 27). Singapore Standard
Bottle may hold the vital death clue. (1953, January 30).The Straits Times
Sought Poison-And Bottle was beside his body. (1953, April 28). The Straits Times

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