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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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Revisiting Pulau Ubin during Covid-19 Phase 2

August 16, 2020

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Bukit Brown958
Hill 3316
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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

Quek Koh Chay (Bukit Brown)

Quek Koh Chay was the founder of Messrs. Quek Hong Seng & Co Ltd. In 1955, he was also a director of the Bank of Singapore, Ltd. In 1952, Quek Koh Chay was mentioned as the single biggest contributor for Singapore Chinese Y.M.C.A fund raising for its new building. He contributed $30,000. Death Quek Koh Chay passed away at the age of 78 at his residence in 251, Bukit Timah Road at 10:30 pm, November 3, 1960. Wife: Madam Wee Chwee Sang Madam Wee Chwee Sang passed away at the age of 77 on May 2, 1966, leaving behind 3 sons; Quek Seng Lip, Quek Seng Guan, Quek Seng Kee, 3 daughter-in-laws, 3 daughters, 3 son-in-laws, 47 grandchildren. Wife: Madam Lau Nam Tee Madam Lau Nam Tee passed away at the age of 95 on November 25, 2005. By 2005, all the sons and daughters of Mr Quek Koh Chay have passed away with exception of 1 daughter; Quek Gek Kim. source: NewspaperSG Madam Lau Nam Tee (source: NewspaperSG) The family home of 251 Bukit Timah Road In my re...

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...

Lim Teck Kim and family (Bukit Brown)

Lim Teck Kim was born in Kinmen. He passed away on 28 June 1938 at the age of 55, leaving behind 11 sons and 13 daughters. Lim Teck Kim established the Lim Hoe Chiang Co. , a General Store which marketed the "Global Brand" coffee and W.D & H.O Wills of Bristol and London "Flag Brand" cigarettes at 250 Tanjong Pagar Road. Lim Teck Kim also pioneered Singapore's first amusement park, "Old World (1921) which was later renamed "Happy Valley". Lim Teck Kim's brother-in-law, Ong Boon Tat subsequently opened "New World" (1923). Lim Teck Kim Lim Hoe Chiang Co promoting "Flag Brand" cigarettes The Happy Valley The amusement park was open on 1 February 1924 afternoon by Mrs. Lee Choon Guan, M.B.E . who performed the cord cutting ceremony with a golden scissors at the main gates of Happy Valley just before the Chinese New Year. The main attraction includes a boxing stadium that can be adapted to use for theatrical ...

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...

Muslim tombstone at Bidadari Park

I have been visiting again Bidadari after the Bidadari Park reopened to residents surrounding the neighbourhood as well as the birding community. I haven birding in that area before its closure almost 8 years ago and during that time, i still do see remnants of old batu nisan at the Muslim section at the cemetery. While bird watching today, i also kept a look on the grounds to see if any headstones remain and to my surprise i found one large one which documented. This was found on the park grounds closer to Bidadari Park Drive and surprisingly just next to the walking path. Muslim tombstone / Batu Nisan at Bidadari Park - 18 December 2024 Past Discoveries Below are some of my observations of the space during 2012 to 2016 time line. Grave stone markers (E404 and G 239 ) Past post on Bidadari Trumpter Hornbill in Bidadari (April 18, 2016), posted on April 19, 2016 Birdwatching in Bidadari (January 10, 2016), posted on January 20, 2016 Birdwatching in Bi...

Macrina -daughter of Mr and Mrs. Leong Yew Koh (former Bidadari Cemetery)

The simple but beautiful marble tomb of a cemetery angel on bended knee belonging to a little girl by the name of Macrina caught my eye. Macrina was born in 12 May 1918 and she passed away on 27 March 1919. She was the first child of Leong Yew Koh and Ho York Ling. The tomb was once located at Bidadari Cemetery. With both Macrina parents name being mentioned and the timeline correct, i can be certain that her father is no other than Tun Leong Yew Koh. the first Governor of Malacca. Born in Perak, educated at the Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh and St. Xavier's institution, Penang. He was awarded the Queen's Scholar in 1908. He went to Cambridge as a Queen's Scholar from Economics and Law and practiced in F.M.S. Leong Yew Koh Tun Leong served with the Chinese Government (1932-1945). On his return to Malaya, he was a member of the Malayan Union Consultative Committee on Constitutional Proposals. He was a Member of the Perak Bar committee, Member of the Chinese Chamber of Comm...

Tan Joo Khoon (Bukit Brown)

Tan Joo Khoon was in the government service in the Marine Department for 26 years and is the Chief Clerk of the Master Attendant's Office and an Chinese interpreter for the shipping community. His house is at No. 393, Beach Road. Tan Joo Khoon passed away at the age of 44 on July 31, 1926. This happened while he was holidaying with some friends in Beting Kusa, Changi, he had a heart attack. He died while in transit to General Hospital. He is the brother-in-law of Seah Eng Lim. He is remembered by a widow (Ng Joo Tian), 4 sons (Tan Lye Sia, Tan Lye Quee, Tan Lye Wah, Tan Lye Mok), 2 daughters, (Tan Meow Luang, Tan Meow Gek), 1 daughter-in-law. Memorial stone of Mr. Tan Joo Khoon (photo taken in 2024 after clean up) Tan Joo Khoon is also survived by 5 brothers: Tan Joo Seng, Tan Joo Sung, Tan Joo Eng, Tan Koon Yam, Tan Joo Kee. ( Seah Eng Lim's father is Seah Peck Seah and grandfather is Seah Eu Chin). His wife who is in the tomb beside him is Madam Ng Joo Tian, ...

Mrs Koh Sek Lim nee Ang Chit Yan (Bukit Brown)

Madam Ang Chit Yan is buried in Bukit Brown, Hill 4 Section C plot no. 80. She is the wife of Mr. Koh Sek Lim whose legacy is remembered by two road named after him, Koh Sek Lim Road and Xilin Avenue. Madam Ang Chit Yan passed away at her residence Gulega Bedoh Estate, No 655-17, Padang Terbakar, Bedoh (Bedok) at 10:15 pm on Friday, 12th November 1937 at the age of 65. She is survived by her husband, Mr. Koh Sek Lim, 14 sons ( Koh Kong Wee , Koh Kong Wan, Koh Kong Boon, Koh Kong Seng, Koh Kong Sun, Koh Kong Hai, Koh Kong Leong, Koh Kong Hor, Koh Kong Thian and 5 others, 5 daughters-in-law, (Mrs. Koh Kong Wee, Mrs. Koh Kong Wan. Mrs. Koh Kong Seng, Mrs. Koh Kong Sun, Mrs, Koh Kong Hor, 10 daughters, 4 son-in-laws ( Yeo Eng Tiong, Wee Swee Seng, Lim Teck Seng, Lim Eng Yong and 30 grandchildren). On her tombstones, the complete names of the sons and daughters include: Sons: Koh Kong Wee , Koh Kong Wan, Koh Kong Boon, Koh Kong Seng, Koh Kong Sun, Koh Kong Hai, Koh Kong Leong, Koh Kong H...

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...

Mrs. Lim Choon Leng nee Ong Swee Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Ong Swee Neo passed away at the age of 27 at her residence No. 52 Cornwall Street on 5 May 1927. She is the wife of Lim Choon Leng and sister-in-law of Lim Leong Geok. She leaves a widow and 5 children to mourn her loss. Listed on her tomb are the name of her children; Sons: Lim Teck Kim, Lim Teck Kuan, Lim Teck Lee, Lim Teck Hock Daughter: Lim Cheong Neo Husband: Lim Choon Leng There was mention of thanks by Mr. Lim Leong Geok whom thank relatives and friends who paid respects to the funeral oof the late Mr. Lim Choon Leng (reported on 27 January 1930). Daughter: Lim Cheong Neo alias Baby The engagement is announced between Chia Chee Hong ( second son of the late Mr. Chia Yew Siang and Mrs. Chia Yew Siang) to Miss Lim Cheong Neo (Baby), eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lim Choon Leng, Singapore ( 17 September 1940). Mother-in-law: Ong Chai Neo Ong Chai Neo passed away at the age of 55 at her residence No. 52 Cornwall Street on 23 October 191...

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