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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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Koh Seng Soon and family (Bukit Brown)

January 03, 2023

Block 3 Div A Hill 3

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Mrs. Goh Wee Liam nee Madam Cheang Pui Chan (Bukit Brown)

January 02, 2023

Block 2 Division F Bukit Brown Hill 2 video

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Madam Phua Kim Neo (Bukit Brown)

January 02, 2023

Block 3 Div A Bukit Brown Hill 3

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Bukit Brown Observation - Crab and Cockle Offerings

January 01, 2023

Bukit Brown Offerings video

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Madam Goh Sek Neo (Bukit Brown)

January 01, 2023

Block 2 Division F Hill 2

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Lee Chim Tee (Bukit Brown)

January 01, 2023

Block 2 Division F Hill 2

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Seow Tiang Quee (Bukit Brown)

December 30, 2022

Block 1 Division B Bukit Brown Hill 1 video

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Madam Tan It Neo (Bukit Brown)

December 20, 2022

Block 1 Division B Bukit Brown Hill 1 video

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Madam Ong Ah Bee (Bukit Brown)

December 19, 2022

Block 4 Div A decorative tiles Died Young Hill 4 Youtube Shorts

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Mrs. Ong Chin Beng nee Madam Mabel Tan (Bukit Brown)

December 19, 2022

Block 4 Div A Christian Tomb cross Died Young video

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Mrs. Chia Cheng Hoe nee Chan Sian Hay (Lao Sua)

December 11, 2022

Family - Chia Peck Koon Lao Sua

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Khoo Kee Swee (Lao Sua)

December 10, 2022

decorative tiles Lao Sua video

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Seet Seok Yean (Lao Sua)

December 06, 2022

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Seet Ban Neo (Lao Sua)

December 05, 2022

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Mrs. Goh Keng Ann nee Khoo Liew Neo (Lao Sua)

December 04, 2022

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Labels

Bukit Brown887
Hill 3328
Died Young201
Hill 1183
decorative tiles180
Block 3 Div D152
Hill 4151
Block 4 Div A142
Block 3 Div C130
Block 4 Div C108

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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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Mrs Seah Eng Khoon (Bukit Brown)

Mrs Seah Eng Khoon alias Yeo Soon Im (second daughter of Yeo Boon Hwang ) passed away at 10:30 pm on 14th September 1930 at 253 River Valley Road. She leaves behind her husband, three sons; Seah Keok Whee, Seah Keok Hee and Seah Keok Quan. 7 daughters, 2 daughters-in-law, 2 son-in-laws and 7 grandchildren. Her age was listed as 43. Seah Eng Khoon and family thanked their relatives, friends and staff of Socony and the Goodyear Orient Sales Co. Ltd for the visits and wreath. Mrs. Seah Eng Khoon nee Yeo Soon Im Husband: Seah Eng Khoon There was an article which mentions of a Dove Competition in 1937 that was held at the estate of Seah Eng Khoon at the 6th milestone, Thomson Road. Seah Eng Khoon passed away at the age of 79 on 8 March 1963 at 23-H Thomson Rise Estate. Son: Seah Keok Hee Seah Keok Hee was closely associated with the Springdale Minstrels whereby 253 River Valley Road was mentioned to be the residence of Seah Keok Hee were a number of music practices were...

Lee Kim Bock (Bukit Brown)

Lee Kim Bock passed away at the age of 60 on 26th November 1938 at his residence at No 4 Lorong 27 Geylang. The newspaper mentions he was a prominent figure in the Straits Chinese Community from a well known family in Singapore and Malacca. He is buried in Hill 4 Section C, plot 1253 Lee Kim Bock was a general building contractor and is survived by his wife ; Madam Quek Koon Neo ( Nya Chik ) and 3 sons ; Lee Yew Bin, Lee Cheng Tian and Lee Hood Poh. Family Lee Yew Bin /Francis Lee Yew Bin Francis Lee Yew Bin (eldest son of Mr and Mrs Lee Kim Bock ) got engaged to Miss Tan Eng Neo (only daughter of the late Mr. Tan Boon Chwee and Madam Chua Geok Yan). The marriage took place in November 1936. He was a vice-president of the Sincere Lads Badminton Party. However, in an 1941 article, the was an court summons that allege that Tan Eng Neo was of unsound mind and the court requested Lew Yew Bin, her husband to appear in court. References Domestic Occur...

Neo Siew Hin (Bukit Brown)

In Block 3 Division C, plot 92 lies a damaged marble tomb of Mr. Neo Siew Hin. He was a retired special grade hospital assistant of the F.M.S (Federated Malaya States) Medical Department, when he passed away the age of 70 on August 14, 1940. Neo Siew Hin is survived by his wife, 4 sons and 4 daughters. The article mentions that one of his sons, Mr. Neo Hong Kow is attached to the Negeri Sembilan Medical Department. This name corresponds with the marble stone that indicates the name of Neo Siew Hin's sons : Neo Hong Kow, Neo Hong Guan, Neo Hong Chuan and Neo Hong Huay. Son: Neo Hong Kow Neo Hong Kow as mention earlier is attached to the Negeri Sembilan Medical Department. He is also a well known badminton player there. Neo Hong Kow, in an article was engaged to Miss Chuah Hock Eng. Son: Neo Hong Huay / George Neo Hong Way In another article that was an engagement notice of George Neo Hong Way (4th son of Mrs. Neo Siew Hin and the late Neo Siew Hin) to Miss Chew Geok...

Tan Geok Lim (Bukit Brown)

Tan Geok Lim was an employee of the Raffles Hotel. He passed away at the age of 46 on 5th October 1937 at his residence in 41 Onan Road, leaving behind his beloved mother, wife and 5 children. Listed on Tan Geok Lim's tomb are the name of the 5 children; sons: Tan Eng Khoon, Tan Eng Chuan, Tan Eng Swee ; daughters; Tan Kim Neo and Tan Chwee Neo. Tan Geok Lim is buried in Hill 4 Section B, plot 282. Raffles Hotel Staff This is a first finding, well at least for me , of a person buried in Bukit Brown who was a staff of the Raffles Hotel and this is further confirmed in a 1921 newspaper article, where it list the donors by the Raffles Hotel staff for Princess Mary Wedding. On the list of Raffles staff list is not only Tan Geok Lim, but also Arshak Sarkies (1868- 9 January 1931), the proprietor of Raffles Hotel at that time. The Sarkies brothers ( Martin, Tigran, Aviet and Arshak) were well known hoteliers that owned and ran many hotels, including the Eastern and Oriental Hot...

Godmakers - The Artisans and the Effigies (Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop)

The story of Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop is the story of the reality and issues facing many traditional trades in Singapore :- remaining relevant and of course profitable; succession and continuity; and finally of adaptation and yet keeping to tradition. I am lucky to have joined this tour by Ng Tze Yong to witness firsthand, the two artisans maintaining the craftsmanship of being "Godmakers", his father, Ng Yeow Hua, (64 years old ) and his grandmother, Madam Tan Chwee Lian (87 years old). Effigy and who it represents There are many effigies in the shop in various phases of construction and it can be a confusing sight especially if you are not a Taoist or Buddhist and do not have background of the stories of the Gods or Deities it represent. I draw parallel experience to the beautiful and intricate stone carvings that i often see in Bukit Brown Cemetery that i still often struggle in identifying. In the case of the effigies, i am fortunate to have Tze Yong, who brought t...

Low Nong Nong ( Bukit Brown )

Low Nong Nong ( Lau Wong Tong / Low Ee Long), a Hockchew rickshaw puller and construction coolie lies buried at Bukit Brown in a simple tomb at the pauper section of Hill 3 Division 7, tomb no 120. His story carved on his tombstone however bears a rich story of a turbulent moment in time where poor ricksha coolies banded together to seek justice in terms of a more favorable rental rates of rickshaw from the owners (towkay) of this ricksha. Rickshaw puller Living conditions for Rickshaw coolies Pah Mata ! (Strike Police !) In 1938, the towkays of rickshaws raised the rental fees. This together with the perception that there was manipulation of the China Relief Fund contributions, became a major issue for the growing number of rickshaw coolies, some already unemployed as the number of rickshaw licenses issued declined over the years and other modern modes of transportation coming into competition. Some of the rickshaw coolies banded together in protest and calling ...

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...

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...

Teo Kim Eng (Bukit Brown)

The large tomb and jovial picture of Mr Teo Kim Eng got me curious about him. His story is an interesting one. Teo Kim Eng (张金荣), a Hokkien businessman from Lam Ann, first came to Singapore at age of 12 and started working as a labourer and eventually earned enough to start in his own stall at the age of 17. By 20, he was the owner of a thriving business and is the owner of Chop Guan Choon (源春号), a big tobacco wholesaler firm. He is the owner of a chain of rubber estates and houses. Mr and Mrs Teo Kim Eng Philanthropist and "Kepala" Prior to war, Teo Kim Eng contributed to the Malayan Patriotic Fund, London Air Raid Relief Fund and China Relief Fund. He is a millionaire but prefers to be known as a "kepala" of his 100-acre holiday resort in Tampenis (now spelled as Tampines). Mr. Teo Kim Eng was observed to be working with his labourers in his estate and was seen during weekends spending hours working under the hot sun, shirtless and armed with a changko...

Godmakers - Where Gods are born ( Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop)

The tagline of the facebook invite "Where Gods are born" was what attracted me to read more. It was an opportunity to visit an effigy shop in Singapore, which was probably the oldest and last surviving one in Singapore, Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop at No. 35 Neil Road. I signed up immediately as i never actually seen how deities were actually made. When the day of the tour arrived, we were greeted at the shop by Mr. Ng Tze Yong, a young gentleman and son of the current owner of the shop, Ng Yeow Hua. Ng Tze Yong does not operate the shop, but nevertheless was not only an eloquent speaker and spokesperson, he speaks with great passion on keeping the traditions of his family trade alive and relevant in today's changing world. The two people that are the artisans of this shop are that of his father, Ng Yeow Hua, (64 years old ) and his grandmother, Madam Tan Chwee Lian (87 years old) who have maintained the necessary skills to run the business till this very day. Our guide ...

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Rojak Librarian +

Heritage in S'pore and M'sia

All things Bukit Brown
Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录
Bukit Brown Cemetery
Bukit Brown Trails
Burial Registrar
Bukit Brown Documentation of Graves
Singapore Heritage Society
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Historic Chinese Architecture in Singapore
Our Bedok Kampong House
Good morning yesterday
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Overseas Chinese in the British Empire

Nature Groups in S'pore and M'sia

Bird Ecology Study Group(Singapore)
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Nature in S'pore and M'sia

Focus Ubin
National Parks(Singapore)
Mangrove Flora and fauna of Sg Buloh
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve-Wildlife Singapore
Online guide to Chek Jawa, Ubin

Daily Moon Phase

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