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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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Lim Teow Nam's daughter (Bukit Brown)

December 06, 2025

Block 2 Division F decorative tiles Died Young video

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Notice of Exhumation - Unidentified Coffins uncovered near Bukit Timah Road

December 03, 2025

bukit timah cemetery exhumation

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Mrs. Lee Peck Choo nee Tay Geok Lin (Bukit Brown)

December 02, 2025

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Chiew Eng Hoh (Bukit Brown)

December 02, 2025

Block 3 Div C decorative tiles

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Mrs. Lim Peck Jin nee Seow Choon Neo (Bukit Brown)

December 02, 2025

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Madam Tan Pek Neo (Bukit Brown)

November 30, 2025

Block 3 Div C video

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Teo Hock Leng (Bukit Brown)

November 29, 2025

Block 3 Div C Died Young marble

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Chia Keng Yee (Bukit Brown)

November 29, 2025

Block 3 Div C Died Young

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Madam Yeo Tee Ngan (Bukit Brown)

November 29, 2025

Block 3 Div C ceramic photo

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Miss Sim Meow Eng (Bukit Brown)

November 29, 2025

Block 3 Div C Died Young Teochew Tomb video

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Newspaper mentions - 2025

November 25, 2025

newspaper mentions

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Mrs. Chia Hood Seng nee Madam Yeo Inn Neo (Bukit Brown)

November 21, 2025

Block 4 Div C Hill 4

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Teo Soon Lam (Bukit Brown)

November 20, 2025

Block 5 Division C ceramic photo Died Young marble

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Madam Tan Sai Kim (Kopi Sua)

November 19, 2025

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Labels

Bukit Brown945
Hill 3343
Hill 1191
Hill 4173
Died Young171
decorative tiles159
Block 3 Div D140
Block 4 Div A120
Block 3 Div C107
Block 3 Div B101

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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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Popular Post

Wee Huck Boon (Bukit Brown)

Wee Huck Boon passed away at the age of 27 on 5 September 1928. From the newspaper archives, Wee Huck Boon, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wee Kay Hin, age 26 passed away at 3:45 am at 28 Mohamed Sultan Road. The tomb is interesting has the words; "May He Rest In Peace" in English but also this words written in Chinese. 愿他安息 something we rarely see in Bukit Brown. Wee Huck Boon Wee Huck Boon - May He Rest In Peace Family Father: Wee Kay Hin Wee Kay Hin passed away at the age of 65 on 10 March 1939 at his residence, No. 28 Mohamed Sultan Road. He leaves behind his widow, 2 sons; Wee Huck Lay and Wee Huck Su (Wee Huck Soo) 2 daughters; Mrs. Tan Beng Chiang and Miss Wee Jin Chay 2 daughters-in-law and a son in law. Mother: Mrs. Wee Kay Hin nee Tan Hong Neo Mrs. Wee Kay Hin nee Tan Hong Neo, mother of Wee Huck Lay and Wee Huck Su passed away at the age of 71 at her residence, No. 22 Highland Road at 10:50 pm, 13 August 1947. Brother: ...

Mrs. Low Cheng Kiat nee Miss Yeo Chye Sim (Bukit Brown)

New Year 2026 started with a memorable adventure with a request from a descendant to Raymond Goh to look for the tomb of Madam Yeo Chai Sim, Block 1 Divison E, plot 48. The area is now heavily forested, but working together and after almost 45 minutes of searching, we found plot 48, but there was no headstone ! The plot looked like it was exhumed but that being said, the mound behind doesn't seem sunk in so we were not sure. Fortunately, with some perseverance and actual digging around the area, Soh Ah Beng uncovered a piece of the headstone. With more digging, we found the headstone that enable to piece together that indeed it was the tomb of Madam Yeo. But it was broken in half with a key piece of the name of the daughter missing. Digging the ground on the sides of the tomb, the key piece that made the identification and confirmation complete was rectangle stone in English that list all the names we needed to know ! It reads; In Memory of the late Miss Yeo Chye Sim Wife of Mr. L...

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...

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 Paha...

Seh Ong Temple at Kheam Hock Road

While researching, i stumbled across this 2 building plans that are related to Seh Ong Clan Temple along Kheam Hock Road, just outside of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Ong Chwee Tow was an important pioneer, philanthropist and one of the trustee's of the Seh Ong Clan. when he passed away, his tomb is on the top of the hill just opposite of the location of the proposed temple. With all this nuggets packed into the building plans below, it is definitely something i want to find out a bit more. Another 2 nuggets i gathered from the building plan is the address - No 263 Kheam Hock Road and the architect, Tan Seng Chong & Co. The Title of the Plan: (1) Plan of Chinese Temple Proposed to be erected at Reserve Road off Bukit Timah Road. For Ong Chwee Tow, Esq. Freehold land (2) Amended Passed Plan No 517 Dated 22-10-1921 to Chinese Temple at Reserve Road off Bukit Timah Road. For Ong Chwee Tow, Esq. Freehold land Plan of Chinese Temple Proposed to be erected at Reserve Road...

Law Teck Yew and Ee Beng Choo Neo (Bukit Brown)

Mr. Law Teck Yew passed away at the age of 53 on 28 August 1934 at his residence, No 7, Lorong 27-A, Geylang Road, Singapore. He leaves behind his beloved wife, 3 sons (Wee Pit Cheng, Law Peng Hoe, Law Peng Siang), 6 daughters, 1 sister, 2 sons-in-law (Chan Siew Lay, Chee Kim Chiang) and 6 grandchildren to mourn is loss. Madam Ee Beng Choo Neo passed away at the age of 80 on 14 April 1961. From the tomb of Law Teck Yew, the name of their children; Son: Wee Pit Cheng, Law Peng Hoe, Law Peng Siang Daughters: Law Siew Neo, Law Bee Neo, Law Poh Neo, Law Cheng Neo, Law Imn Neo, Law Hong Neo Law Teck Yew was a committee member of the Gaylang Funeral Association (1920 onwards). Tomb of Law Teck Yew Tomb of Madam Ee Beng Choo Neo Family Son: Law Peng Hoe The engagement took place of 18 May 1940 between Mr. Law Peng Hoe (elder son of the late Mr. Law Teck Yew and Mrs. Law Teck Yew) and Miss Wee Kim Neo (only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wee Sin Choe and granddaugh...

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...

Skip Tank in Bukit Brown - It's impact

“Imagine strolling through a quiet park or visiting a cemetery to pay respects, only to be confronted by a large industrial skip tank. Its sharp edges, exposed waste, and sheer bulk jar against the calm and dignity of the space. While skip tanks serve a purpose in construction sites, their presence in public sanctuaries raises questions about safety, respect, and cultural sensitivity." Skip Tank at Bukit Brown Cemetery It is not about nostalgia but also there are practical reasons why many people, me included are against the Skip Tank that you see in Bukit Brown Cemetery is ill-suitable for this space. My post explores why skip tanks are unsuitable for parks and cemeteries — and what better alternatives exist. When Skip Tanks Are Suitable Construction sites, renovation projects, or industrial zones where large debris must be collected quickly. Skip Tank is used intensively to store environment waste. e.g. leaves, lalang and branches from regular maintenance of Bukit Brown an...

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...

Chua Cheng Hock (Bukit Brown)

It started with a leisurely walk with Raymond Goh in Block 3 Division A on a sunny Sunday morning and we stumbled upon a Sikh Statue Guard barely visible in the thick undergrowth. This alerted me to find out who was the owner of this Sikh guard. It was the tomb of Mr. Chua Cheng Hock (1889-1951). Chua Cheng Hock was one of the directors of the Cycle and Carriage Company. He was also an avid tennis player and played many competitive matches. He contributed to the Malaysian Union Seminary (399-1 Upper Serangoon), Air Raid Relief Fund (via the Chinese Relief Fund Committee). Chua Cheng Hock was also a member of the Chee Yang (Chua Si) Kong So Association. Mr and Mrs. Chua Cheng Hock and family (Chua Boon Hin (in dark coat) , Chua Boon Kim, Chua Hock Tay (Phyllis) ) (photo courtesy of Sharon Ong ) Cycle and Carriage Company Cycle and Carriage Company Ltd was founded in 1899 by the Chua brothers namely Chua Cheng Bok and Chua Cheng Tuan with brothers Chua Cheng...

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