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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 with the label Hungry Ghost Festival

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Chinese seven month offering at Bukit Brown for Child Spirits (Bukit Brown)

August 30, 2026

Hungry Ghost Festival Seventh Month Youtube Shorts

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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

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

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Tan Cheng Kiat (Bukit Brown)

Tan Cheng Kiat ( 陳清吉) is the managing partner of Hoe Thong and Kim Lam Co. Ltd. The companies are importers & exporters of produce, rubber, marine products, general merchants and commission agents. He has also a Bricks and Tile Works at 632, Aljunied Road under the business of Kim Lam Co. Ltd. Kim Lam Co. Ltd in the late 50s and early 60s went into the property business and sold terrace houses in Quemoy Park (off Paya Lebar). You can read about his early years from here . Tan Cheng Kiat (source: 颖川公所 16th anniversary book ) Hoe Thong and Kim Lam Co. Ltd at 38 Telok Ayer Street Fortunately with contributions from the descendants of Tan Cheng Kiat, you can see a picture of him in front of his office at 38 Telok Ayer Street with the Hoe Thong and Kim Lam Co. Ltd signboards, visible. Tan Cheng Kiat in front of his company signs (Hoe Thong) and (Kim Lam Co. Ltd) at 38 Telok Ayer Street (photo courtesy of Jason Tan) Hoe Thong Kim Lam Kim Lam Co. Ltd in 1...

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...

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. ...

Mrs. Wee Teng Hock nee Madam Tan Bong Soo (Greater Bukit Brown)

Madam Tan Bong Soo passed away at the age of 65 on 8 July 1954. Tan Bong Soo is the wife of Mr. Wee Teng Hock. Listed on her tomb are the names of her children; Sons: Wee Guan Hong, Wee Woon Leong, Wee Meng Puay Daughters: Wee Bee Neo, Wee Bee Hong, Wee Bee Giok, Wee Bee Chye Grandsons: Wee Ban Huat, Wee Ban Kheng, Wee Ban Seng, Wee Ban Hin, Wee Ban Chye, Wee Ban Lim Granddaughter: Wee Kim Neo Madam Tan Bong Soo (source: A Baba Album) Funeral of Madam Tan Bong Soo (source: A Baba Album) Wee Teng Hock passed away at the age of 83 in 1967. Family Son: Wee Guan Hong / Joseph Wee Guan Hong The engagement was announced in September 1931 between Mr. Wee Guan Hong (eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wee Teng Hock of 9 Nassim Road, Tanglin) and Miss Josephine Tan (only daughter of Mr. Tan Cheng Kee, J.P. and proprietor of Alhambra and Marlborough Theatres, Beach Road). The marriage took place in November 1935 at the Church of St. Teresa, Kampong Bahru of Mr. Wee Guan Hong (son o...

William J.B. Ashby (St. Michael's Church Ipoh Cemetery)

William J.B. Ashby / W.J.B. Ashby was the Secretary of the Kinta Sanitary Board and leader of the Eurasian community in Perak. Born in Penang on 28 June 1871, he was the only child of William Ashby, a European Inspector of the Straits Settlement Police. William J.B. Ashby entered the Perak Government Service in 1891 and retired on 28 June 1926 when holding the post of Secretary, Kinta Sanitary Board. He was awarded the Malayan Certificate of Honour (M.C.H) in 1928 and appointed a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Perak in 1933. He was the Ipoh Club Secretary from 1928-1935 and was the the President of the Ipoh Rotary Club in 1931 and 1932. He served as an unofficial member of the Kinta Sanitary Board from 1931 until his time of death. Mr. Ashby's other activities included Member of the Licensing Board since 1927, Visiting Justice to the Kinta Prisons, committee member of the Prisoners' Aid Society and Ratepayers' Association and President of the Catholic Action Society. He ...

Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot (Bukit Brown)

Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot passed away at the age of 54 on 16 November 1937. The address of her residence was listed as No. 25, Cheng Tuan Street off Tanjong Pagar Road. She leaves behind; 3 sons; Chuan Keng Theng, Chua Keng Han, Chua Keng Siang 2 daughters-in-law, 1 daughter, 1 son-in-law; Seet Teck Lim 2 adopted sons; Lee Kim Swee, Lee Keng Leng 3 nephews; Tan Boon Chin, Tan Boon Chye, Chua Kim Hin 6 grandsons and 4 granddaughters. The funeral took place on Sunday, 21 November 1937, 10 am to Bukit Brown. Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot tomb with sun rays and bell motive Madam Koh Choo Neo alias Kroot 25 Cheng Tuan Street connection Kow Soon Chiang passed away at the age of 51 on 30 January 1929 at 8:45 pm at his residence, No. 25 Cheng Tuan Street. He leaves behind his wife, 1 son; Kow Hock Siew, 2 daughters, 1 son-in-law; Chua Keng Teng, 1 daughter-in-law and 1 granddaughter. Mrs. Kow Soon Chiang nee Madam Ne...

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...

Oh Sian Guan (Bukit Brown)

Oh Sian Guan / 胡善甫 (1874 - 1943) was a Banker, whose ancestral place was Fujian, Tong Ann. He came to Singapore in 1907 and set up Chop Chin Keat with Tan Tiong Sin at Telok Ayer No 52, importing from Sarawak and Batavia various produce such as betel nut, coffee, pepper and birdnest. He later ventured into property. When Tan Tiong Sin joined the banking industry, Oh Sian Guan managed Chop Chin Keat alone. Oh Sian Guan later sent two of his sons to Batavia to manage the business. Oh Sian Guan (photo courtesy of Jack Lee Tsen-Ta) In 1919, when Overseas Chinese Bank was formed, Oh Sian Guan became a Director under the recommendation of Tan Ean Kiam. In December 1932, when Chinese Commercial Bank, Ho Hong Bank and Overseas Chinese Bank merged to form Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), he remained a Director until the Japanese invasion in 1942. He was also once the Chairman of Goh Loo Club. source: NewspaperSG Death Mr Oh Sian Guan passed away at his residence...

Qing Ming 2026 encounter with Kharisma again ! (Bukit Brown)

Bukit Brown has always been a magical place for all and today we had another special chance encounter with Kharisma (Charisma with a K) alias Johnny (a name he is known now after he retired from race horsing with the closure of the Singapore Turf Club). He is no ordinary horse, because Kharisma in his prime was a champion race horse having won a lot of prize money for his previous owner. Today, he was out about with his 2 doggy pals and his human companions. Born in Australia in 2016, Kharisma has indeed has come a long way and now enjoying a well deserved retirement with the due care and love. Former Champion Race Horse Kharisma -now know as Johnny out on his morning walk Former Champion Race Horse Kharisma aka Johnny's human friends You can see one of Kharisma doggy pal out and about as well Kharisma biodata (source: Racing and Sports Australia) Xu Meibao also shared in Heritage Singapore Bukit Brown of her encounter in Bukit Brown on 5 April 2025 with Kh...

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 Ta...

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Heritage in S'pore and M'sia

All things Bukit Brown
Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录
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