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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 May, 2026

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Another beautiful set of tiles uncovered

Art Nouveau decorative tiles

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Chee Wan Lee Neo (Lao Sua)

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Chia Poh Siang (Lao Sua)

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

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

Newspaper mentions(2025)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2022)

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

Newspaper mentions (2017)

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

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Another beautiful set of tiles uncovered

The latest discovery of this tiles on a tomb that had already been exhumed left us puzzled, reminding us that much still lies hidden, waiting to be uncovered. Although we have encountered many decorative tiles on tombs, this example stands out as something entirely new to us. Because the tomb was previously exhumed, we cannot date with certainty when the individual passed away—though it may have been in the early 1900s. Our first impression was that the piece resembled Delftware or transparent print tiles, given its thickness and finish. Alongside it, the panel also contained a relief-moulded flower tile of unknown origin, a type we have seen before Rare decorative tiles uncovered ! - Pig and Piglet / Flower and Floral sprig Note: using Claude AI to provide description below The pig and the piglet tile A large-format single figurative azulejo tile (known in Portuguese as "azulejo de figura avulsa") depicting a sow (mother pig) with a piglet, with a wooden fence in the backgr...

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...

Chee Wan Lee Neo (Lao Sua)

Madam Chee Wan Lee Neo passed away at the age of 79 on 23 October 1951. Sons: Seet Jin Siew, Seet Nam Yong Daughter-in-law: Tan Chit Neo Daughrer: Seet Kim Bong Grandsons: Seet Tiang Hock, Seet Thiam Geok, Seet Teng Hong Granddaughters: Seet Hood Neo, Seet Tham Neo, Seet Buay Neo, Seet Suan Neo, Seet Kiok Neo, Seet Geok Neo Chee Wan Lee Neo Possible connections Husband: Seet Lian Saick / Seet Lian Seck (died 1908) Her husband is Seet Lian Saick (son of See Hood Kee) who married a daughter of Chee Jin Siew and from their union, 2 sons - See Jin Lock, See Jin Siew (source: Negri Malaka -Dhulu-Dhulu. (Kabar Slalu, 3 March 1924). Chee Wan Lee Neo (徐遠理) is the daughter of Chee Kiat Bong 徐吉夢 /Chee Jin Siew 徐仁壽 and Ong Siok Neo (王淑娘). (source: Geni.com). Woman and Son Bankrupt - Nonya's Evidence in Malay An elderly Chinese woman, dressed in nyonya style was stated to possess securities worth $42,000 as when Seet Lian Seck passed away in 1908, Chee Wan Lee Neo was ...

Chia Poh Siang (Lao Sua)

Chia Poh Siang passed away on 1 July 1951. Name of his children; Son: Chia Boh Guan Daughters; Chia Hock Neo, Chia Kim Neo, Chia Chye Neo Grandson; Chia Kee Huat, Chia Soon Liang, Chia Soon Keng, Chia Soon Chiang, Chia Soon Huat, Chia Soon Bee Chia Poh Siang Chia Poh Siang tomb (photo taken in 2026 -unvisited for a number of years -cleaned for documentation Chia Poh Siang Location of tomb 8RHF+VQC Singapore / 1.329694, 103.824398

Gan Eng Seng and family (Bukit Brown)

Gan Eng Seng was born in Malacca ( Melaka) in 1844. His Great Grandparents came from Sam-Toh, Fukien province. Born third in a family of 5, he had two elder sisters, Gan Gin Neo and Gan Guat Neo. He was the eldest son. His younger brother was Gan Eng Chye followed by the youngest sister, Gan Guan Neo. Born poor, he still was able to received some education, giving him the ability to read and write simple English. His father died when he was 16 years old. He then left for Singapore and was involved initially in a nutmeg business in a small scale. He went on to served under Guthrie and Co. Gan Eng Seng Chief Campradore, Gutherie and Co. Thomas Scott, a partner of Gutherie, offered Gan Eng Seng a job in the godown at Coller Quay as a clerk and it was there he climbed up the ranks, from an Assistant Storekeeper to Chief Storekeeper and finally the Chief Campradore of Guthrie and Company after 13 years of service. He was the Chief Compradore for 25 years till he died in 1899. ...

Woodneuk House - a palace in ruins

Forgotten to many is an abandoned house, a palace or Istana of sorts to the Sultan of Johore. The house is known as simply Woodneuk house. There was another house or palace that resided in the grounds previously. It was called Tyersall house or Istana Tyersall and people often confused Tyersall house vs Woodneuk house because of its proximity. Hopefully my article below helps clear this confusion and also help share what i have learned (or in my case, still learning) about the heritage value of this building and it's rich historical past. Tyersall House ( Istana Tyersall) Originally a country house, it was owned by Mr. William Napier and built in 1854. Sitting on 67 acres of land, it was put up for sale in 1857 and ownership transferred to the Sultan of Johore. It was rebuilt on a larger scale by 1892. Sultan Abu Bakar threw a party or ball, marking its reopening on January 15, 1895. The roof of the new house was said to have a distinct red tiled roof. The map below provides c...

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...

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...

The school in the jungle off Kheam Hock Road (Chin Chung Public School)

I have long known that there was a school that existed near Bukit Brown since its mentioned back when there was an exhibition about Bukit Brown ( Bukit Brown: Documenting New Horizons of Knowledge 2014 ). The name of the school was called Chin Chung Public School (振中学校) and it's address was No 25, Jalan Berahi, off Kheam Hock Road, Singapore 11 (The postal code was only 2 digits !). The interest came back recently when Soh Ah Beng, a friend and fellow explorer showed me his school report card and that spurred me to ask this question, where is the original location of the school and is it still there? Today's discovery was a very exciting one because we manage to find out the foundations of Chin Chung Public School was very much still intact and the road that led to the school was still intact as well ! Chin Chung Public School Report Card of Soh Ah Beng Chin Chung Public School no longer exist but the foundation and the steps leading to the school from Jalan Berahi is ...

Ng Boo Bee (Taiping)

Ng Boo Bee (1853-1921) 黄务美, was born and educated in Fujian, China before making his way to Malaya, first in Penang before eventually making a name for himself in the State of Perak. His father is Ng Koh Sung and mother, U Choot Kwah. He started out as a brick manufacturer and timber merchant under the name of Chop Swee Bee in Taiping, Ipoh and Teluk Anson. In Taiping, he acquired the tender contract as a railway contractor under Mr. C.R. Hanson, Resident Engineer for Perak Railways and was probably responsible for the building of the first railway in Malaya which connected Taiping to Port Weld. It was during this time he shrewdly acquired land around Kamunting. Ng Boo Bee Millionaire tin miner The land purchases around Kamunting made Ng Boo Bee a millionaire and with that he acquired also various houses in Taiping and also Penang. The Governor of the Straits Settlement, Sir John Anderson visited Ng Boo Bee tin mine in 1908 which had at that time, employed 4,500...

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