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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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Kum Char Miah (Bukit Brown)

August 02, 2021

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Soh Boon Kee (Bukit Brown)

August 01, 2021

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Tan Mary (Bukit Brown)

August 01, 2021

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Madam Seet Soh Teck (Bukit Brown)

August 01, 2021

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Madam Goh Chye Quah (Bukit Brown)

August 01, 2021

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Khoo Teng Leong and Tan Siam Neo (Bukit Brown)

August 01, 2021

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Family - Khoo Teng Hin Hill 3

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Madam Wee Leong Neo (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div A Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Madam Chan Quee Neo (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Madam Lim Bock Neo (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Died Young Hill 3

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Khoo Soo Eng (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Cho Peck Swee (Bukit Brown)

Block 1 Division F Bukit Brown Hill 1

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Teigh Teck Neo (Bukit Brown)

Block 1 Division F Bukit Brown Hill 1

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Madam Lee Sim Neo nee Mrs. Wee Kim Chuan (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div A Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Madam Chan Yam Neo (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Ang Bee Chin and family (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Song Im Neo nee Mrs. Tan Bah Chee (Bukit Brown)

Block 1 Division F Bukit Brown Hill 1

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Leow Thou Hoi and Leong Ling Yau (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div D Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Madam Wee Chye Eng nee Mrs. Lim Chin Swee (Bukit Brown)

Block 1 Division F decorative tiles Family - Lim Eng Keng Hill 1

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Labels

Bukit Brown958
Hill 3317
Hill 1184
Hill 4163
Died Young141
decorative tiles134
Block 3 Div D130
Block 4 Div A113
Hill 297
Block 3 Div B86

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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)

Rojak Librarian+ (other Rojak matters)

Archive

2025 2
- January 2
  - Newspaper mentions (2024 - Heng San Teng Boundary ...
  - Mrs. Chua Ah Siah nee Madam Tan Sim Ai (Bukit Brown)

2024 188
- December 18
- November 12
- October 26
- September 32
- August 21
- July 7
- June 11
- May 15
- April 14
- March 16
- February 7
- January 9
2023 168
- December 10
- November 7
- October 12
- September 20
- August 10
- July 9
- June 31
- May 18
- April 5
- March 12
- February 12
- January 22
2022 237
- December 11
- November 15
- October 20
- September 6
- August 15
- July 15
- June 12
- May 6
- April 17
- March 37
- February 54
- January 29
2021 326
- December 19
- November 47
- October 36
- September 24
- August 27
- July 31
- June 25
- May 20
- April 17
- March 28
- February 26
- January 26
2020 112
- December 13
- November 20
- October 13
- September 11
- August 8
- July 7
- June 6
- May 8
- April 6
- March 6
- February 6
- January 8
2019 52
- December 1
- October 2
- September 5
- August 4
- July 8
- June 7
- May 4
- April 4
- March 6
- February 4
- January 7
2018 53
- December 2
- November 4
- October 4
- September 5
- August 9
- July 9
- June 3
- April 2
- March 5
- February 5
- January 5
2017 52
- December 1
- November 1
- October 1
- September 2
- August 4
- July 7
- June 8
- May 3
- April 8
- March 6
- February 4
- January 7
2016 52
- December 4
- August 2
- July 8
- June 3
- May 8
- April 11
- March 10
- February 5
- January 1
2015 43
- December 4
- November 5
- October 3
- July 1
- June 5
- May 1
- April 6
- March 6
- February 6
- January 6
2014 92
- December 6
- November 5
- October 7
- September 5
- August 5
- July 11
- June 8
- May 10
- April 8
- March 8
- February 9
- January 10
2013 99
- December 8
- November 9
- October 9
- September 4
- August 4
- July 10
- June 8
- May 8
- April 9
- March 10
- February 10
- January 10
2012 78
- December 7
- November 6
- October 10
- September 5
- August 2
- July 5
- June 4
- May 8
- April 7
- March 9
- February 8
- January 7
2011 44
- December 7
- November 8
- October 2
- September 1
- July 2
- June 5
- May 6
- April 6
- March 3
- February 1
- January 3
2010 29
- December 4
- November 4
- October 8
- September 8
- August 3
- April 2
2008 2
- February 1
- January 1
2007 10
- November 1
- August 4
- June 4
- April 1
2006 11
- November 1
- August 1
- June 3
- March 1
- February 3
- January 2
2005 45
- November 3
- October 3
- May 1
- April 13
- March 25
2004 6
- September 3
- August 3

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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 Chian and family (Kopi Sua)

The tomb of Tan Chian alias Tan Kwee Chian 陳貴賤 was identified by Raymond Goh while we were exploring an area of the Hokkien Cemetery near Mount Pleasant colloquially known as Kopi Sua. While searching through the newspapers archives, we can slowly piece together the story of Tan Chian (1876-1944) and his family. Tan Chian passed away at his residence at No. 19 Scotts Road at the age of 68 on November 3, 2604 (the Japanese koki calender for 1944). He is survived by 7 sons, ( Messrs. Tan Beng Kee, Tan Beng Thong, Tan Beng Wah, Tan Beng Teck, Tan Beng Guan, Tan Beng Ghee and Tan Beng Hui), 4 daughters, 1 son-in-law and 14 grandchildren. Tan Kwee Chian Tan Chian alias Tan Kwee Chian Tan Chian (alias Tan Kwee Chian) was a timber merchant and sawmill propertier with company under the name of Chop Chye Hin, Beach Road. He was also a shareholder in the Chinese Commercial Bank. Mr. Tan Chian was granted a certificate of naturalization by the British Colonial Gover...

Newspaper mentions (2024 - Heng San Teng Boundary Marker)

2024 ended with an icing on the cake, with another newspaper mention of us and this time is with regards to a boundary marker that was accidentally discovered by Raymond Goh when we were exploring Kopi Sua on 14 December 2024 in search of tombs based on request on descendants. Heng San Teng Boundary Marker / 恒山亭界碑 Chinese text of the Zabao article: 本地寻墓小组在咖啡山发现约有百余年历史的“恒山亭”界碑，历史学者认为这个界碑提供珍贵的实物史料，证明恒山亭曾搬迁到大巴窑一带。寻墓者吴安全（60岁）与另外三人上星期六（12月14日）在惠德里路（Whitley Road）附近一带的咖啡山寻墓时，无意间发现了一个刻着“恒山亭界”字眼的界碑。由于附近最古老的墓碑立于1890年，他推测这个界碑至少有130多年的历史，相信惠德里路一带的坟山属于大巴窑新恒山亭的管辖范围。 “当时我们受人委托来这里寻找几个墓碑，走了一个多小时的路程，突然发现有一处看起来不像是墓碑的石碑，走近隐约看到恒山二字，再撒上一些面粉才看清刻在碑上的字。其实，我们好几次来这座坟山都没有发现这个界碑，在杂草丛生的情况下，这次能够发现它真的很幸运。” 咖啡山指的是靠近泛岛高速公路的快乐山路（Mount Pleasant Road）和安莱盖路（Onraet Road）那片坟山过去是福建会馆产业；惠德里路一带被高速公路隔开的一小片坟山也属于原本的咖啡山。恒山亭是我国历史最悠久华人古庙之一恒山亭是我国历史最悠久的华人古庙之一，至少在1828年前已建成，是我国开埠初期福建社群的最高领导机构。福建人创办恒山亭，主要负责办理乡侨的丧葬，管理福建坟山。正规的福建人聚会、议事，也都在恒山亭举行。受访本地历史学者柯木林指出，1890年代，原址位于石叻路（今惹兰红山）的恒山亭坟山满额后，福建会馆便另寻新址，包括位于中峇鲁、大巴窑，以及武吉布朗一带的墓地，是为新恒山...

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...

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...

Sir George Edward Noel Oehlers (former Bidadari Cemetery)

George Edward Noel Oehlers / George E N Oehlers / Geno Oehlers (1 April 1908- 27 October 1968) was educated at St. Andrew's School and Raffles Institution, George Edward Noel Oehlers was called to the Bar (Gray's Inn) in 1931 and to the Singapore Bar in March 1932. He practiced as advocate and solicitor in Singapore until he was appointed Speaker designate of Singapore Legislative Assembly in December 1954. He was appointed First Speaker of the Singapore Legislative Assembly in 1 June 1960. Sir George Edward Noel Oehlers was knighted in 1958 making him the first Eurasian in Singapore to be knighted. Other positions he held throughout his career included being the President of the Industrial Arbitration Court (1965) and Chairman of the Public Utilities Board, Singapore. Sir George Edward Noel Oehlers Sir George Edward Noel Oehlers passed away due at his residence in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur at the age of 60 on 27 October 1968 in Kuala Lumpur age 60 and was cremated on 28 Oc...

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...

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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