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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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Qing Ming 2026 - with the descendants of Madam Tan Gim Neo

Block 1 Division E qingming video

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Elaine Ng Siew Nyuik (former Bidadari Christian Cemetery)

Died Young former bidadari cemetery

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Archibald Maclean (former Bidadari Cemetery)

elephant former bidadari cemetery marble

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Madam Yeo Hian Neo (Bukit Brown)

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Chan Pek Eng alias Yew Hai (Bukit Brown)

Block 3 Div C marble

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Chan Cheng Kiat (Bukit Brown)

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Jalan Besar Stadium (Images from the Past)

Aerial view Images from the Past

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Mr. and Mrs. Wee Teong Chai (Bukit Brown)

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Paya Lebar Airport and Airport Road (Images from the Past)

February 28, 2026

Aerial view Images from the Past

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Dream Clue to 11 Year Mystery - Finding Boey Kai Hong

February 25, 2026

war

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Mosquito Bus with Tanjong Pagar route sign (Images from the Past)

February 22, 2026

Images from the Past North Bridge Road old photo

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Madam Lim Seng Neo (Lao Sua)

February 22, 2026

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Tnee Say Mwee (Bukit Brown)

February 17, 2026

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Chan Chong Teck (Bukit Brown)

February 17, 2026

Block 2 Division G

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Labels

Bukit Brown907
Hill 3330
Hill 1187
Died Young179
decorative tiles165
Hill 4161
Block 3 Div D151
Block 4 Div A123
Block 3 Div C109
Block 4 Div C106

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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

Gan Eng Seng and family (Bukit Brown)

Gan Eng Seng was born in Malacca ( Melaka) in 1844. His Great Grandparents came from Sam-Toh, Fukien province. Born third in a family of 5, he had two elder sisters, Gan Gin Neo and Gan Guat Neo. He was the eldest son. His younger brother was Gan Eng Chye followed by the youngest sister, Gan Guan Neo. Born poor, he still was able to received some education, giving him the ability to read and write simple English. His father died when he was 16 years old. He then left for Singapore and was involved initially in a nutmeg business in a small scale. He went on to served under Guthrie and Co. Gan Eng Seng Chief Campradore, Gutherie and Co. Thomas Scott, a partner of Gutherie, offered Gan Eng Seng a job in the godown at Coller Quay as a clerk and it was there he climbed up the ranks, from an Assistant Storekeeper to Chief Storekeeper and finally the Chief Campradore of Guthrie and Company after 13 years of service. He was the Chief Compradore for 25 years till he died in 1899. ...

Another beautiful set of tiles uncovered

The latest discovery of this tiles on a tomb that had already been exhumed left us puzzled, reminding us that much still lies hidden, waiting to be uncovered. Although we have encountered many decorative tiles on tombs, this example stands out as something entirely new to us. Because the tomb was previously exhumed, we cannot date with certainty when the individual passed away—though it may have been in the early 1900s. Our first impression was that the piece resembled Delftware or transparent print tiles, given its thickness and finish. Alongside it, the panel also contained a relief-moulded flower tile of unknown origin, a type we have seen before Rare decorative tiles uncovered ! - Pig and Piglet / Flower and Floral sprig Note: using Claude AI to provide description below The pig and the piglet tile A large-format single figurative azulejo tile (known in Portuguese as "azulejo de figura avulsa") depicting a sow (mother pig) with a piglet, with a wooden fence in the backgr...

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...

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...

Woodneuk House - a palace in ruins

Forgotten to many is an abandoned house, a palace or Istana of sorts to the Sultan of Johore. The house is known as simply Woodneuk house. There was another house or palace that resided in the grounds previously. It was called Tyersall house or Istana Tyersall and people often confused Tyersall house vs Woodneuk house because of its proximity. Hopefully my article below helps clear this confusion and also help share what i have learned (or in my case, still learning) about the heritage value of this building and it's rich historical past. Tyersall House ( Istana Tyersall) Originally a country house, it was owned by Mr. William Napier and built in 1854. Sitting on 67 acres of land, it was put up for sale in 1857 and ownership transferred to the Sultan of Johore. It was rebuilt on a larger scale by 1892. Sultan Abu Bakar threw a party or ball, marking its reopening on January 15, 1895. The roof of the new house was said to have a distinct red tiled roof. The map below provides c...

Chia Poh Siang (Lao Sua)

Chia Poh Siang passed away on 1 July 1951. Name of his children; Son: Chia Boh Guan Daughters; Chia Hock Neo, Chia Kim Neo, Chia Chye Neo Grandson; Chia Kee Huat, Chia Soon Liang, Chia Soon Keng, Chia Soon Chiang, Chia Soon Huat, Chia Soon Bee Chia Poh Siang Chia Poh Siang tomb (photo taken in 2026 -unvisited for a number of years -cleaned for documentation Chia Poh Siang Location of tomb 8RHF+VQC Singapore / 1.329694, 103.824398

Khoo Kay Hian (Bukit Brown)

During the rubber boom of the 1910, Khoo Kay Hian / Khoo Kay Hean was well positioned and made money as a rubber broker based in The Arcade. He went on to be the founder of one of the best known stock broking firm in Singapore bearing his namesake, Kay Hian and Co in 1921. He was also a committee member of the Singapore Sharebrokers' Association (this was before it became the Singapore Stock Exchange). Throughout his career, he held various positions and they included: Assistant Secretary of the Ee Hoe Hean Club (1918) ; Management Committee of the Garden Club (1920) Chinese Lantern Procession (1922), Joint Honorary Secretary together with Lim Kee Cheok. (Lim Chwee Chian was the Chairman) and also Committee member of the Singapore Chinese Girls School (1925). He contributed to various causes and some of them include: Kampong Martin Relief Fund (1916), Chinese Halifax Relief Fund (1917), Sir Arthur Young's Portrait Fund (1919), St Andrew's Hospital Building (1920), Nanyang U...

Chee Wan Lee Neo (Lao Sua)

Madam Chee Wan Lee Neo passed away at the age of 79 on 23 October 1951. Sons: Seet Jin Siew, Seet Nam Yong Daughter-in-law: Tan Chit Neo Daughrer: Seet Kim Bong Grandsons: Seet Tiang Hock, Seet Thiam Geok, Seet Teng Hong Granddaughters: Seet Hood Neo, Seet Tham Neo, Seet Buay Neo, Seet Suan Neo, Seet Kiok Neo, Seet Geok Neo Chee Wan Lee Neo Possible connections Husband: Seet Lian Saick / Seet Lian Seck (died 1908) Her husband is Seet Lian Saick (son of See Hood Kee) who married a daughter of Chee Jin Siew and from their union, 2 sons - See Jin Lock, See Jin Siew (source: Negri Malaka -Dhulu-Dhulu. (Kabar Slalu, 3 March 1924). Chee Wan Lee Neo (徐遠理) is the daughter of Chee Kiat Bong 徐吉夢 /Chee Jin Siew 徐仁壽 and Ong Siok Neo (王淑娘). (source: Geni.com). Woman and Son Bankrupt - Nonya's Evidence in Malay An elderly Chinese woman, dressed in nyonya style was stated to possess securities worth $42,000 as when Seet Lian Seck passed away in 1908, Chee Wan Lee Neo was ...

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. Teo Boon Gan nee Madam Goh Choon Neo (Lao Sua)

Madam Goh Choon Neo passed away on 24 March 1967 at the age of 75 years old. She is the wife of the late Mr. Teo Boon Gan. From the tomb, the name of her children are; Son: Teo Beng Siang, Teo Beng Hai Daughter: Teo Molly Adopted Sons; Goh Guinea, Goh Sunny Grandsons: Teo Soon Hock, Teo Soon Eng, Teo Soon Chye The tomb of Madam Goh Choon Neo was one of the many we were looking for. The request for the tomb of Madam Goh Choon Neo was a request from G.T. Lye way back in 2024 when he asked Raymond Goh to help find Madam Goh Choon Neo. The information provided - her sons are Charlie Teo Beng Siang, Georgie Teo Beng Hai and and daughter, Molly Teo. She passed away on March 1967. We been searching since that time based on the clue provided that it is along Kheam Hock Road and up hill. Finally today, through sheer luck we found it. The name all matches. Madam Goh Choon Neo nee Mrs. Teo Boon Gan Possible Connections [Note: This are unconfirm connections based on assumptions of connectio...

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