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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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Showing posts from December, 2024

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Ong Ah Bee (Bukit Brown)

December 01, 2024

Block 1 Division G Hill 1

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Bukit Brown957
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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)

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

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Popular Post

Ho Soon Neo (Lao Sua)

The black and white picture of the tomb Ho Soon Neo and her family and relatives standing around the tomb looking solemn and with offerings at the altar table and courtyard appeared on various heritage and nostalgic groups in facebook for some time. Some commented that the original photograph is in the hands of an antique shop owner (but i can't be 100% sure). Nevertheless it was providence when it appeared in the Heritage Singapore Bukit Brown facebook group page in April 2017 and within a month, the actual tomb was located by Raymond Goh and one of the resident tombkeeper, Soh Ah Beng. The tomb of Madam Ho Soon Neo's son (Choo Sian Kay) was also located. Finally in July 2018, i got this visit this tomb and see it with my on eyes how it looked like compared to the old picture below. Madam Ho Soon Neo tomb (photo likely 1923-1924 period) It was in Greater Bukit Brown at the Toa Payoh Cemetery (some people call the area Lao Sua or even Heng San Teng) where the tomb of M

Teo Ban Neo (Bukit Brown)

Teo Ban Neo is the daughter of L.S. Teo. She passed away at the age of 17 months on 18 December 1930. 18-12-1930 My Fondest Baby. My Fondest Baby - Teo Ban Neo (17 months) Location of tomb Block 3 Division B, plot 1244 8RQG+44R Singapore

Lee Hong Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Lee Hong Neo passed away at the age of 80 on March 25, 1940 and is buried in Block 4 Section C plot 2014. The names of two sons are mentioned in her tomb, Koh Eng Hoe and Koh Eng Tiong. Also visible are names of her grandchildren, Koh Choon Hong and Koh Chew Bock. Madam Lee Hong Neo Madam Lee Hong Neo's tomb being enveloped by a Banyan Tree Names of son and some of the grandchildren still visible Death The death notice is the first evidence and the names of the sons match. So do the year of death of Madam Lee Hong Neo matches the Year and Month of the notice below as well in the Bukit Brown burial registrar. Burial registrar entry matches the location and plot number Family I will start with the family members of Madam Lee Hong Neo that were easily discernible from reading the names of her son and grandson. One of her grandson scored many first in the legal domain, being the colony first Chinese District Judge and Deputy Public Prosecutor. Son:

Jewish Soldiers in Kranji War Memorial

This article was inspired by my visit to the Jewish Cemetery recently (you can read about my visit and experience ). During that visit, i noticed from the burial registrar posted on the board under plot E 45, the grave of Private Henry Weinberg - 1st Garrison Bn Manchester Reg. Block E Plot 45 - Private Henry Weinberg From the Commonwealth War Graves Record online, it gave me some further insights about him. Private Henry Weinberg (Service Number: 50008) served with the Bedforshire Regiment and died on 9 October 1918 at the age of 24. In short, Private Henry Weinberg passed away (maybe in the garrison here) during World War I. From the location of his plot which is Block E Plot 45 , i know that this are the plots of relocated remains from the former Jewish Cemetery in Thomson Road (now Newton MRT) to the Jewish Cemetery in Choa Chu Kang. So Private Henry Weinberg who died in 1918 was originally buried in the Jewish Cemetery in Thomson. It got me thinking who are the rest of the so

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

Ko Teck Kin (Kopi Sua)

Mr. Ko Teck Kin (高德根) was born in China in Leong Kay (Hokkien Province) in 1911. He came down to Singapore at the age of 10 and went to Sumatra at 20 years old to start a business. When he returned, he worked with the shipping firm owned by his father, Mr. Ko Yam Ee and had his own business dealing in local products. Post war, he started the rubber milling business of Kah Hin Rubber Co. Ltd in which he was the managing director. His other business included Ho Chiang Shipping Co. Ltd, Ko Liong Hin, importers and exporters. and the Chin Cheng Realty Ltd. By the time time he was 42 years old in 1953, he was labelled as one of the youngest Chinese millionaires in the Singapore rubber industry. He was also the chairman of Chung Khiaw Bank. Ko Teck Kin Ko Teck Kin was the Vice-President (1952-1953) and later President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce from 1954 to 1955, and again from 1958 to 1965. Other roles: Committee Member of Singapore Hokkien Hui Kuan; Deputy Chairman of Publi

Wee Thiam Kee and family (Bukit Brown)

Wee Thiam Kee, Wee Thiam Siew and Wee Thiam Leong were partners in the business of Cigars, Cigarettes and Tobacco Dealers under the firm name Ban Leong and Company at 229, Rochore Road. On July 1, 1930, Wee Thiam Kee left this partnership to form his own company under the company name Chop Hong Leong. His two brothers, Wee Thiam Siew and Wee Thiam Leong continued the partnership under the name of Ban Leong and Company. There is not much information about his career, but because he passed away intestate (i.e, without a will) in 1939, it lead to a probate suit which gave me more information about him, his wife and three secondary wives. His first wife was Madam Ang Boey Neo and secondary wives are Khoo Ah Kow, Tan Beng Choo and Koh Cheng Keow. Wee Thiam Kee Secondary wives legal widows In a court case that span several days, the defendant, Madam Ang Boey Neo (alias Ang Meow Neo) contended that the 3 women were just mistresses and not lawful widows. Wee Thiam Siew (broth

Tan Swee Hoe mansion in Batu Pahat

The status of Tan Swee Hoe's mansion at 160 Jalan Kluang, Batu Pahat was finally revealed! The mansion that was once owned by Tan Swee Hoe's descendants was sold and the rumors circulating at one point of time was it was going to be demolished. In fact various readers of my blog sent me pictures of the mansion after it was sold where the rooftop of the building and the interiors was completely stripped. Tan Swee Hoe's mansion (minus the roof) Well it was finally revealed in various Malaysian papers ( Sin Chew Daily , Johor China Press ) that it was purchased by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the Sultan of Johor. It was reported in the papers that the Sultan of Johor plans to restore the building and turn it into a Heritage Centre featuring the artefacts of the Johor Chinese community as well as as artefacts from China as a strong symbol to reaffirm the long relationship between the Johor Sultanate and China. About Tan Swee Hoe Tan Swee Hoe T

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 Pah

A kidnap bid foiled in the Shaw family - Bukit Brown connection

This week's news was abuzz with first, the passing of Sir Run Run Shaw (CBE, GBM), the legendary movie mogul. He died on January 7, 2014, aged 107. He is survived by 2 sons ( Shaw Vee Meng, Shaw Vee Chung, Harold ), 2 daughters (Dorothy Shaw, Violet Shaw ) , 2 daughter-in-laws ( Josephine Kho, Diana Wee) and many grand and great grandchildren. His wife was Lady Lily Shaw (deceased ) and years after his first wife passing married Madam Mona Fong. The second news that captivated many Singaporean's was the kidnap attempt of a 79 year old woman, Madam Eng Lai Poh. She is the mother of Mr Lim Hock Chee, Chief Executive of public listed company Sheng Siong, a supermarket chain. The ransom sought by the kidnappers was $20 million. Mr. Lim Hock Chee called the police who helped tracked down the kidnappers and caught the suspects. Bukit Brown connection to Shaw and kidnapping You may be wondering how this week's two story is related to Bukit Brown? Rewind back to October

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