Skip to main content

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.

Search This Blog

Home
Bukit Brown
Bidadari Christian Cemetery
Rojak Librarian+
Sitemap

Posts

Aerial View of the Coolie Lines of Bukit Brown Cemetery

February 28, 2025

Aerial view Bukit Brown

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Another aerial view of Ong Sam Leong tomb in Bukit Brown

February 27, 2025

Aerial view Family - Ong Sam Leong

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Superintendent House and Office at Bukit Brown Cemetery

February 27, 2025

Aerial view Bukit Brown

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Josephine Butler (former Bidadari Cemetery)

February 23, 2025

former bidadari cemetery

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

By-laws for the Burial Ground for Chinese at Bukit Brown

February 19, 2025

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Certificate of Reservation for Bukit Brown grave plots

February 18, 2025

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Wee Ban Cheng (Bukit Brown)

February 11, 2025

Bukit Brown exhumed

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Lee Poh Neo (Lao Sua)

February 01, 2025

Lao Sua Plus Codes video

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Tan Kang Bee Chew (Bukit Brown)

January 26, 2025

Block 3 Div D Died Young Hill 3

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Linda Mah Fei Yin and Gabriel Lek Tze Hui (Mandai Columbarium)

January 21, 2025

Died Young Mandai Columbarium

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Phuah Kee Soon and family (Mandai Columbarium)

January 21, 2025

choa chu kang cemetery former Alexandra Cemetery Mandai Columbarium

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Yap Kim Han (Bukit Brown)

January 19, 2025

Block 5 Division A Died Young

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Cheang Kok Peck (Bukit Brown)

January 18, 2025

Block 3 Division 7 tomb mason

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Madam Sng Cheng Lian (Bukit Brown)

January 18, 2025

Block 5 Division A Bukit Brown video

+

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Labels

Bukit Brown968
Hill 3318
Hill 1185
Hill 4165
Died Young145
decorative tiles135
Block 3 Div D131
Block 4 Div A115
Hill 298
Block 3 Div B86

Show more Show less

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

Total Pageviews

Subscribe to Youtube Channel

Subscribe to Instagram

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)

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 29

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 113
- December 13
- November 21
- 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

Show more Show less

Popular Post

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...

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...

Mak Kanaga (Lao Sua)

It was a simple tomb in Lao Sua (Heng San Teng), but the words of MAK KANAGA, died 21 December 1915 that caught our eye and made this tomb very unique. I was told that she either married a Lim or was adopted into the Lim family. The Lim family ancestry village listed on the tomb is Kinmen. So who is Mak Kanaga ? She is very likely a non-chinese lady. The word Mak translates from Malay to mean the honorific title of "Aunt". Kanaga could be a Malay, Tamil, Japanese, etc lady, but this will remain a mystery for now.

Soh Boon Hup and family (Bukit Brown)

Soh Boon Hup was a stevedore and proprietor of Son Boon Hup and Co. with office at Raffles Chamber. He owned many "tongkangs" or "twakows". This boats were used primarily to transport cargo between ships in the outer harbour and godowns along the Singapore river. He started Soh Boon Hup and Co. , a tongkangs and twakows business 20 years ago with a capital of $20,000 being his own savings since the time he worked for his father about 30 years ago. Soh Boon Hup was an avid football player who played with White Star in 1912-1918 and continued play for senior charity matches, and there was records of Soh Boon Hup playing soccer up to 1932. Soh Boon Hup passed away on 14th February 1939 at the age of 51. Madam Poh Lye Neo and Mr. Soh Boon Hup Soh Boon Hup's company Tongkangs and Twakows at Boat Quay along Singapore River in the 1930s The decline of Soh Boon Hup Co. The business was a little profitable at first but started to decline since 1927 onw...

Lim Nee Soon and family (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Lim Nee Soon's wife (Wee Pek Hay) and two of his son's ( Lim Chong Kuo and Lim Chong Pang ) tomb can be found in Bukit Brown, Block 4 Division A. Mr. Lim Nee Soon is not buried there but in Nanking, China. It is however difficult to write a story about Lim Nee Soon family members tomb cluster in Bukit Brown, without first introducing Mr. Lim Nee Soon first. Pineapple King and Patriot Mr. Lim Nee Soon (1879-1936) is the son of Mr Lim Peng Guan and was born in Kampong Glam, Beach Road in 1879. His father died when Lim Nee Soon was only 8 years old and was left in the care of his maternal grandfather, Mr. Teo Lee (Mr Teo Eng Hock's father). Lim Nee Soon received his early education in both St. Joseph Institution and Anglo-Chinese School and therefore proficient in both English and Chinese languages. A Teochew, he started from scratch, working as a shopkeeper assistant at the age of 18 and from there he climbed the rungs by next working for timber merchant Tan Tye a...

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...

Superintendent House and Office at Bukit Brown Cemetery

Thanks to Beng Tang who alerted me to the aerial photograph of the Superintendent House / Office / Coolie Quarters (not to be confused with the coolie lines ) of Bukit Brown. This photo does not provide a full and clear picture of the Superintendent House, but at least now there are more pictures available that show how beautiful and large this building actually was. It is also nostalgic to see the Bukit Brown "roundabout" where we use to gather in the past before the highway was built. Superintendent House at Bukit Brown (source: NAS ) Superintendent House with Bukit Brown roundabout in front of it Tomb of Yeo Seok Hwa (in background is the Superintendent Quarters) (photo courtesy of Tan Keng Leck) Bukit Brown Aerial View of the major buildings (source: NAS ) (source: NAS )

Royal Johor Mausoleum Telok Blangah (Makam Diraja Telok Blangah)

Makam Diraja Johor Telok Blangah or The Royal Johor Mausoleum Telok Blangah stands out to visitors as you pass by its premise (opposite Harbour Front MRT -Vivo City) and the first thing you will notice other than the mosque (Masjid Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim Johor Darul Ta'zim) and mausoleum is that the flag raised on the flag pole - it is the Johor State Flag. Indeed the land and buildings on this grounds belong to the Royal Family of Johor. Fortunately i did not need to bring my passport but one should not trespass into this grounds unless for official reasons or invited to visit. Fortunately for me, i was able to visit the cemetery behind the mausoleum to take a peek at the personalities buried here and listen to the interesting nuggets shared by Sarafian Salleh (aka Tuah Bugis) a heritage expert and volunteer guide for MyCommunity whose tour, MyCommunity Festival - My Last Journey i signed up for. This wasn't my first time visiting the Royal Johor Mausoleum. I joined Sarafia...

Battle for Singapore Heritage Tours 2025 - Bukit Brown Cemetery

I lost count of the number of times i did tours in support of the National Heritage Board's annual event to commemorate the anniversary of the Fall of Singapore and a constant reminder never to forget the past and to never take Total Defence Day for granted. It is also an opportunity to remind everyone how important Bukit Brown Cemetery is as space that represents not only the pioneers who died during that period but also as a battlefield site where an intense battle was fought during the final hours before Singapore surrendered. The information and photos of my tour below: Bukit Brown Memorial Tour - Remembering the Victims and Its Heroes by Peter Pak Date: 1 March 2025 Time: 9.00am - 12.00pm (3 hrs) Price: Free with registration (Session is limited to 25 pax) Meeting Point: Platform at Hill 1 via Lorong Halwa into Bukit Brown Cemetery Join Peter Pak on an exploration of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Learn about tragic events, such as the sinking of a ship that killed women and ch...

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...

Support My Efforts

Support My Efforts

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
Clarity Compass
Bukit Brown Tomb
Historic Chinese Architecture in Singapore
Good morning yesterday
Oceanskies
Remember Singapore
Yesterday.sg
Bits & Pieces
Overseas Chinese in the British Empire

Nature Groups in S'pore and M'sia

Bird Ecology Study Group(Singapore)
Nature Society Singapore
Malaysian Nature Society
Singapore Environment Council
S'pore Bird Group
S'pore Butterfly Interest Group
Wild Singapore
Raffles Museum of Bio-Diversity's Habitatnews-
Nature Photographic Society (Singapore)
Oriental Bird Club
Butterfly Circle Checklist

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

Bird Database & Resources

Singapore Birds
Singapore Birds Project
Birding in Malaysia
Oriental Bird Images
Xeno Canto
Birder Resource

Daily Moon Phase

Powered by Blogger

2005-2025, All Rights Reserved, Rojak Librarian