Rojak Librarian

"Majoor" Wee Boon Teng (Bukit Brown)

2012-02-06T23:00:00.000+08:00

Born in Singapore in 1864, "Majoor" Wee Boon Teng alias Oei Boon Teng, was educated at the Lye Fatt English school before going to Sumatra to join is uncle, Kapitan Wee Leong Tan alias Wee Tan, a well-know trader. If you also recalled, Kapitan Wee Leong Tan's youngest son is Capitan China Wee Chim Yean. Majoor is a Netherlands East Indies title for Major.

In 1890 he was appointed "Luitenant China" of Selat Panjang, a place in east coast Sumatra, and after twenty years' of service, he received the silver medal. In 1915, he was promoted to "Capitan China" and awarded the Netherlands East Indies or Dutch colonial gold medal. Before he retired in 1925, he was promoted to the rank of "Majoor".

Majoor Wee and his wife, Soh Gim Neo

He is a trustee of the Kim Mui Hoey Kuan (Hoo Chay Beoh Society), a society for all chinese from Kim Mui district from the province of Fukien, China - now part of Taiwan.

He celebrated his golden wedding in 1937, at the age of 73. Two years later he passed away.

Death and Legacy

He died on 2nd May 1939 at his residence, No. 5 Kim Yam Road, off River Valley Road at the age of 75, leaving behind 2 wives (one who is buried with him- Soh Gim Neo, died 82 years in 1948), 5 sons and 4 daughters. He is buried in Block 3 Division A, 100 meters into the jungle away from the main road.

Majoor Wee (left) and his wife

5 sons: Wee Sin Wei, Wee Sin Choe (Managing director of Cheong Koon Seng & Co. Ltd), Wee Sin Ann, Wee Sin Oon, Wee Sin Poh and one adopted son, Goh Cheng San (Manager of United Chinese Bank Limited),

4 daughters: Wee Koon Neo (Mrs Ong Hong Guan), Wee Peck Lian (Mrs Lim Seng Kiang), Wee Swee Choo (Mrs. Khoo Eng Wah) and Wee Swee Neo (Mrs. Chia Chiow Eng).

His tomb contains also 2 sikh guards.

Sikh guards at Majoor's grave

References

Mainly About Malayans. (1937, May 30). The Straits Times.

News in Brief. (1939, May 3). The Singapore Free Press and Merchantile Advertiser

Domestic Occurence. (1939, May 2). The Straits Times.
Cheques for Two Funds (1940, Nov 18). The Straits Times
A Majoor Discovery. from Bukit Brown.org

Capitan China Wee Chim Yean (Bukit Brown)

2012-01-24T00:34:00.000+08:00

Wee Chim Yean (1885-1926) is the Capitan China or Kapitan China of Bengkalis. Bengkalis is a place is the Riau archipelago off east coast Sumatra Islands. He is the youngest son of Wee Leong Tan alias Wee Tan (1833- May 1913), who was once also the Capitan China of Bengkalis and brother of Ann Kee (died 1914) and Kim Cheng of chop Kim Hock Hoe which later become a limited liability company of the same name (Kim Hock Hoe Ltd).

There are not many stories about Chim Yean but more stories about his father and there's where i will start with first and add on later if i discover more.

Wee Leong Tan and chop Kim Hock Hoe.
His father came down from Amoy region at a young age and became an opium farmer under his company called chop Kim Hock Hoe. In his 29 years of service to the Dutch government, he was given the title Capitan and later Major China. In 1900 he received an Imperial Order and Gold medal from Queen Wihelmina.

His business expanded to shipping and also being commissioning agents. He handed over his company officially to his sons to manage on 27th January 1911. His sons, Kim Cheng and Ann Kee made it a limited company and the shipping business was acquired and incorporated in 1908 under the name of Wee Brothers Steamship Co. Ltd.

He was buried at the family vault in Bengkalis when he died in 1913 at the age of 78 (His wife died in 1909). The steamship of Wee Brothers provided free transport for mourners and free loaders from Singapore to Bengkalis to attend the funeral. In the evening after the elaborate and grand burial ceremonies, the fleet provided firework displays and then set sail back to Singapore with "Will o the Wisp" taking lead.

The "Majoor" Wee Boon Teng connection
Another thing i discovered during my research was that Wee Leong Tan and Wee Leong Hee are brothers. Leong Hee had a son by the name of Wee Boon Teng (Majoor Wee) born in 1865, who later joined his uncle in Sumatra. He went on to be a "Liutnant" of a place in east coast Sumatra called Selat Panjang. Subsequent promotions made him Kapitan China and silver and gold medals. Majoor Wee died in 1939 and was also buried in Bukit Brown.

The Capitan China's of Malaya
Capitan China or Kapitan Cina are titles bestowed upon by native rulers (Sultan) with agreement of the Colonial ruler and usually given to a person of high standing in the local chinese community. Helping to keep the peace among the local and collect poll taxes on behalf of the colonial government, they usually were allowed to prosper by taking a cut of this and maintain their own "police" force (i.e. their mini army).

The first of the Capitan's was said to be Tin Kap of Malacca/Melaka. His grave is located in Bukit Cina and said to be 400 years old providing links of early Chinese settlers to Malaya. In Malaya, the ones that one can think of immediately are Yap Ah Loy (1864-1884), Yap Kwan Seng (of Selangor) and for Perak (Towkay Chung Keng Quee and his son, Chung Thye Phin(1879-1935) ). This title is sometimes passed down from father to son, but not always.The last of the Capitans for Malaya is said to be Tan Kim Seng. Born in Melaka, he gained his wealth in Singapore through his business Kim Seng and Co.

For Indonesia, the Netherland Indies government continued this tradition until 1945. It was said there are three grades of Capitan's -Lieutanant/Luitenant, Capitan/Kapitan and Major/Majoor China, each with their respective duties and roles.

Death

Wee Chim Yean died in the residences of his sister in law (Mrs Wee Ann Kee). He was reported to have died from typhoid fever and pneumonia. He died on 13 Aug 1926, age 41 and was buried in Bukit Brown, Blk 2, Division D. On his grave are the inscriptions 甲政 = (Captain) and 和国 = Holland

Wee Chim Yean

References
Song, O. S. (1984). One hundred years' history of the Chinese in Singapore. Singapore: Oxford University Press.
The Last Capitan China of Selangor. (1950, December 13). The Straits Times.
Capitan China. (1953, October 25). The Straits Times.
The Capitan China's of Malaya. (1936,February 12). The Straits Times.
The Linggi Timber Trade. (1912, September 23). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser.
Death.(1926, August 16). The Straits Times.
Social and Personal. (1926, August 14). The Straits Times.
Benkalis Note. (1909, August 2). The Straits Times.
"Majoor" Wee Boon Teng. (1939, May 2 ). The Straits Times.
Kapitan Cina from Wikipedia website

Dr. Lee Choo Neo (Bukit Brown)

2012-01-23T01:22:00.000+08:00

Dr Lee Choo Neo (1895-1947) is the daughter of Lee Hoon Leong. (Lee Hoon Leong is Mr Lee Kuan Yew's grandfather). Born in 1895, Dr. Lee Choo Neo received her education in Singapore Chinese Girls' School and later, 3 years in Raffles Girls School.

First Female Chinese Doctor and a Progressive Woman

She was the first Straits Settlement woman to obtain the Senior Cambridge certificate in 1911. She joined the King Edward VII Medical School despite criticism and discouragement from outside her family circle and in 1919 became the first chinese woman to graduate in Medicine and was appointed Lady Assistant Surgeon at the General Hospital.

She was a progressive woman and was one of the founders of the Chinese Ladies Association of Malaya, promoting physical and social education of Chinese woman including outdoor sports such as lawn tennis and badminton. She was involved and volunteers in the Child Welfare Society as well.

Dr Lee Choo Neo
(this photo was the same one used for her tomb)

She married Teo Koon Lim (son of Teo Chye Hong) at 114 Emerald Hill on 21st September, 1922 and had 1 son (Cheng Ann) and 2 daughters (Cheng Sim and Cheng Kim).After several years in the government service, she resigned and followed her husband to Kuala Lumpur who had business there. She returned to open her own clinic at 74-3 Bras Basah Road.

Robbery and Funeral

Dr Lee Choo Neo died on 7 September 1947, after a short illness. During a pre-funeral rites at her home in Bras Basah road on the 11th, a gang of seven dashed in at 4 am in the morning and robbed the 20 people present. One brandished a gun while the rest of the thugs took cash and jewellery amounting to $250. She was buried on the day itself in Block 1 Division D, Bukit Brown. Her father is also buried in Bukit Brown but in a different hill.

References
Dr Lee Choo Neo. (1935,November 24). The Straits Times.
Death. (1947, September 9). The Straits Times
Song, O. S. (1984). One hundred years' history of the Chinese in Singapore. Singapore: Oxford University Press.
Gun man rob mourners. (1947,September 11). The Straits Times.

Tan Huck Wan (Bukit Brown)

2012-01-18T00:28:00.000+08:00

A sad story

This is a sad and tragic story that was shared to me about Mr. Tan Huck Wan via the Bukit Brown facebook and inspired me to write further. Mr.Tan Huck Wan (1916-1944) is the the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Tan Chong Chew. Mr Tan Chong Chew is the main labour contractor for the Singapore Harbour Board. Tan Huck Wan studied in Anglo Chinese School and was gifted in sports. He played cricket,hockey and football for the SCRC and YMCA during 1935-1941

$100,000 worth of Jewels

Tan Huck Wan married Lim Chin Choo (daughter of Mrs Lim Mah Seang from Penang) in 17 Sept 1939 in a very traditional but grand affair. During the wedding procession, they were escorted by police guards as the bride was wearing $100,000 worth of jewellery with the bridal clothing specially imported from Penang. The band of the 2nd Battalion, Loyal Regiment accompanied the procession and a ronggeng party capped the celebration at "Penang Cot", 317 River Valley Road.

Two hundred people attended the tea party while four hundred people attended the dinner which followed later. Mr H.K. Rodgers, Chairman of the Singapore Harbour Board toasted to the health of the couple which was attended by the Who's Who of Singapore which include Dr.Lim Boon Keng, Tungku Mahkota of Johor, Mrs Lim Han Hoe, Mr and Mrs Lim Chong Pang, Sultan of Pahang, Lee Hoon Leong (grandfather of Lee Kuan Yew) among others. A film maker, a Mr Joe Fisher was even present to shoot the wedding procession using a cinema camera.

Wedding of Tan Huck Wan and Lim Chin Choo

War and Double Tragedy

Tan Huck Wan was a Corporal with the service number 38243 of the Singapore Voluntary Field Ambulance, Straits Settlements Volunteer Force. No details of how he died, but it is pretty certain he died much later, possibly as a prisoner of war on 31st May 1944.

On his tomb, it is listed in English that he was born on 4th April 1916 and that he died on 31st May 1944 at the age of 28. He leaves behind his young widow, two sons Allan Tan Cheng Eng, Duke Tan Cheng Yew and a baby girl, Ruby Tan Suan Bee. Ruby Tan died on the 26th Oct 1944 and is buried beside her father. She was only 6 months old.

Tan Huck Wan and daughter

His wife later remarried in 1952 to a Mr. Khoo Ewe Thuan.

It's future in Bukit Brown

Both Tan Huck Wan and Ruby are buried at Block 1 Div A close by the roundabout. His marker is 1061A, which means both are affected by the road and are likely to be exhumed.

Reference
Police Escort for Bride.(1939,September 18). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser.
Singapore Memorial. Unmaintainable Graves
A story of one tomb and a grand wedding. Bukit Brown Cemetery

Tan Chor Lam (Bukit Brown)

2012-01-17T19:00:00.001+08:00

Tan Lian Chye alias Tan Chor Lam (1884-1971) is another important personality buried in Bukit Brown. Born a son of a prominent Hokkien chinese merchant, Tan Tye (died 1898) that owned a timber-yard called Messrs Tan Tye and Co or Hup Choon located at 327 Beach Road. They also businesses in rubber plantations as well as property acquired through business dealings. The alias Chor Lam was said to be acquired has he wanted to go incognito initially when working with the Tung Meng Hui.

Tan Chor Nam's advertisement and tongkang for sale

Chor Lam, Eng Hock and Nee Soon Connection

Although all were of different ages, Chor Lam (then 18) and Eng Hock (then 30) were neighbors in Beach Road and were also proprietors of the Thoe Lam Jit Poh, a Chinese newspaper in Singapore in 1904 (The newspaper ceased to exist in 1905). Nee Soon's (then 20) uncle is Eng Hock and Nee Soon's first job is with Messrs Tan Tye and Co. It all fell together nicely right !

Whispers of Revolution

Teo Eng Hock loaned his home, (the Bin Chan House) for the holding of the Revolutionary meetings. The Tung Meng Hui first three local members were Tan Chor Lam, Teo Eng Hock and Li Chu Ch'ih. The following day Lim Nee Soon (nephew of Teo Eng Hock) and eleven other's joined. Tan Chor Lam was elected the President of Tung Meng Hui, Singapore.

Tung Meng Hui members at Bin Chan House.(Tan Chor Lam is seated third from the left).

It was from here that Dr Sun and his members managed to get ex-royalist and/or reformist from Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, etc to join the movement. It can be said that Singapore was the base for the spread of this revolutionary movement, but that been said it also experience various degrees of success in gathering funds from the Overseas Chinese here and at one stage, Penang overtook to be the key center where Dr. Sun planned some of the more important uprisings.

With the success of Dr Sun's movement and birth of the Republic of China, a political party was also born out of this movement - the Kuomintang. Formed in China in Aug 1912, its principal aim was the political and racial unity of the 5 races of China. It has to also into building up China's economy through industrialisation and modernisation.

Two individuals, Lu Chin I alias Lu Tien Nin and Chiu Chi Hsien were sent to Malaya for the purpose of forming a branch in Malaya. The Singapore's branch of the Kuomintang was registered under the Societies Ordinance on 18th Dec 1912. Formally, it was called the "Singapore Communication Lodge of the Kuomintang of Peking". The key officials were Tan Chay Yan, Teo Eng Hock, Lim Boon Keng, Wu Chin Sheng, Yin Hsueh Chun, Tan Boon Liat, Lim Nee Soon and finally Tan Chor Lam.

Although some of the members (such as Lim Boon Keng) have dual loyalities to both the Colonial government and China, the British government viewed this party with distrust and treated it as a subversive organisation whose aim is to colonise Malaya or to rid it of its Western occupiers. Suspicions increased due to the outlawing of the Kuomintang by President Yuan Shih Kai in 1913 and the infiltration of the Communist doctrines within the Kuomintang leftist members that were blamed for a series of labor strikes and riots that occurred.

The attempts of the Kuomintang in creating a China centric nationalism soon came to conflict with the Colonial Government's attempt to create a harmonious multiracial subjects loyal to the British. Despite being banned twice, it survived into the post war years until it was banned for the third time in 1949.However this is not the focus of this story and i guess something you might want to read further if you are keen.

Suits and Bankruptcy woes

Going through the digital paper archives, we see him facing financial difficulties over the years. What happen i am not very sure myself but it could be because of his constant contributions and attention to the revolutionary causes that lead to this or the economic depression or both. What is pretty certain is that he overcame all this and still survived with a house and grandchildren to boast.

485 acres of land in Johor Bahru

Strait Times 1933

Pictures over the years

Tan Chor Lam over the years.

The photo on the left shows Chor Lam as young revolutionist still sporting the Manchu queue hairstyle when he became a member of the Tung Meng Hui. It was said that he wore it out of respect to his late father's /mother's wishes and it was only much later that he cut it off. (I suspect after the fall of the Qing Dynasty). The photo on the top right shows him in the twilight years. That photo was used for his gravestone in Bukit Brown. The pictures above are taken from the exhibition at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Museum.

What happen to him in his later life is a blur to me at the moment. Hopefully with more research i am able to find out more. I really have new found respect for historians or budding historians who seem to be able to dig up endless stories. If you have time, do visit the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall too..There, you will find out a bit more about the Tung Meng Hui members.

Bukit Brown Connection

Tan Lian Chye alias Tan Chor Lam, died 1971 and is buried in Bukit Brown Block 3, Division A. His grave his very close to the road and easy to visit.

References

The Kuomintang in Malaya, 1912-1941 ,Png Poh Seng
Journal of Southeast Asian History , Vol. 2, No. 1, The Chinese in Malaya (Mar., 1961), pp. 1-32
Published by: Cambridge University Press on behalf of Department of History, National University of Singapore.
Yong, C.F.(1990) The Kuomintang Movement in British Malaya, 1912-1949, Singapore: Singapore University Press.
The Men who stood Surety. (1933,October 7). The Straits Times.

Lim Nee Soon and family (Bukit Brown)

2012-01-10T23:00:00.000+08:00

Mr. Lim Nee Soon's wife and children ( Lim Chong Kuo and Lim Chong Pang) tomb can be found in Bukit Brown Block 4 Division B, while Mr Lim Nee Soon was not buried there. It is difficult to write a story about the Lim family members tomb cluster in Bukit Brown, without first talking about 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 he was 8 and Nee Soon was left in the care of his maternal grandfather -Mr. Teo Lee (Mr Teo Eng Hock's father).

He received his early education in both St. Joseph Institution and Anglo-Chinese School therefore proficient in both English and Chinese languages. From a humble beginning working as a shopkeeper assistant at the age of 18, he climbed the rungs by next working, for timber merchant Tan Thye and his son Tan Chor Nam. By 28 he was Manager of United Singapore Rubber Estates and later Sembawang Estates(a company formed by Dr. Lim Boon Keng and Lee Choon Guan). Sembawang. With enough savings and experience he strike it on his to form Thong Aik Shop and eventually became a rubber baron and a "pineapple king" with over 6000 acres in Singapore and 20,000 acres in Malaya. He was also a landbroker, rubber factory owner, merchant and propertier of Lim Nee Soon and Co. He together with other prominent Chinese pioneers had a hand in the founding of the following banks: Eastern United Assurance Co., Chinese Commercial Bank, Oversea-Chinese Bank and Oversea Assurance Co.

Mr Lim Nee Soon together with Mr Teo Eng Hock and Mr Tan Chor Lam were the founders of Tung Meng Hui (Chinese Revolutionary League) , Singapore branch, a society created to fund the revolt against the Qing Dynasty and create a free Republic of China with democratic ideals. T'ung Meng Hui is also the precursor to the Kuomintang branch or Movement of Malaya.

Sun Yat-Sen with the members of Tung Meng Hui. A young Nee Soon is seated on the right.
Teo Eng Hock is seated 2nd from the left. Tan Chor Nam is 3rd from the left.

His business declined with the Great Depressions of the 30's with rubber prices hitting rock bottom. However some of his wealth did manage to be passed on this his sons. He passed away at the age of 57 in Shanghai in 1936. He was recognised for his efforts and support for the Republic of China revolution causes. A memorial in Nanking was also erected for him close to where one of Sun Yat-Sen's memorial is.

State funeral of Mr Lim Nee Soon in Nanking, China.
picture shows Mr Lim Nee Soon's silver casket and inscriptions on the side that highlights his
contribution to China.

Special Committee formed in China to arrange for the State funeral.
Lim Chong Kuo, the eldest son is in the centre (with bow tie)

His Family and the Bukit Brown Connection

He left behind his wife and three sons (Chong Kuo, Chong Pang, Chong Min) and 6 daughters(Chit Geck, Kheng Geck, Soo Geck, Mui Geck, Leok Geck, Seck Geck). However during my research of the tomb, a fourth was listed. The son listed on Mrs Lim tomb but not mentioned in the papers was Lim Chong Hsien. I wonder why? Further checks on Singapore Infopedia and Wikipedia does not even list his name there too. Did i uncover something new here ?

Further research uncovered that Chong Hsien is the son from Nee Soon's second wife.

Mrs Lim Nee Soon nee Wi Pek Hay (Wee Pek Hay)

Mrs Lim Nee Soon nee Wi Pek Hay's (Wee Pek Hay) tomb is at Bukit Brown, but if you look careful, no date of death was inscribed there indicating she was not buried there. Where was she buried?

Mr Lim Chong Kuo married Tan Lay Ho (second daughter of Mr and Mrs Tan Kah Kee). He passed away two years after his father on 23rd Feb 1938, age 36, He is buried beside his mother in Bukit Brown.He left behind a son and a daughter.

Lim Chong Kuo's wedding with Tan Lai Ho in Garden Club, 1923

Lim Chung Kuo (beside his mother's grave)

Mr Lim Chong Pang was also a prominent leader among the Chinese (Teochew) community and a well known horse owner. His horses won him over 100 races over the years. He also owned 3 cinemas - Garrick(formerly called Apollo), Sultan and Seletar and enjoys the game of tennis.

He was appointed a Justice of Peace at the age of 35 in 1939, one of the youngest to be appointed so for Malaya and played important roles in various boards and committees (Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Singapore Rural Board, St Andrew's Old Boy's, Cinema Exhibitors' Association,etc ). He established the Southeast Asian Film Co in 1945. During his service for the Rural Board, a village in Sembawang was even named after him.

Lim Chong Pang died at the age of 52 on 21st July 1956 and his wife Lee Poh Neo died 8th Aug 1968. Both are buried in Bukit Brown close by to each other.

Wedding of Lim Chong Pang and Lee Poh Neo

Graves of Lim Chong Pang and Lee Poh Neo

Standing: Chong Min (right) Chong Pang (centre) Hu Mulan (Hu Han Min's daughter)
seating: Lim Nee Soon (left) Wu Hanming /Hu Han Min (right) a staff of former newspaper,
Zhong Xing Ri Bao or Chung Shing Jit Pao
-picture taken in Hu Han Min's cabin in shipliner "Victoria"

I don't have much information on Chong Min and Chong Hsien, but when i do, i will update this article accordingly.

On a recent visit to the National Museum (Jan 28, 2011), i came across pictures of Ms Lim Chit Geck in the gallery where the photos are located. Lim Chit Geck (Mrs Oei Tjong Tiong) is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Lim Nee Soon and her photos shows her stunning beauty as well.

Lim Chit Geck [Top left]With her Armenian friend,Mary c1930
[Bottom left]with her sisters and foster daughter, Eva See,
on board ship Conti Verde c1936

In May 1926, she married Oei Tjong Tiong son of Mr and Mrs Oei Tiong Ham, Mayor of Semarang, Indonesian and a "sugar king" and shipping mechant. (Tiong Ham died 2 years later in 1924, left behind an estate worth $1 million !)

[Top] Wedding picture of Lim Chit Geck
[Bottom] Mr and Mrs Lim Nee Soon and family

The Lim family cluster is not affected by the 8-lane highway proposed, but i thought of writing about them because of the rich amount of material available online that has already been uncovered and some, waiting to be uncovered further ! It also goes to show the wealth of history in this place called Bukit Brown.

War Stories and heroes

On Feb 13,1942, while at sea in is fishing boat, fisherman Mr Tay Ah Soey and his two brothers, braving bombs, pulled out 62 people from the sea. This were the survivors from boats sunked by Japanese planes of people trying to escape Singapore. Among the people he saved was Lim Chong Pang and his brother. Declared a war hero and awarded the King George V medal in 1952, Mr Tay passed away in Aug 2011 at the age of 97.

References
Death, (1932, Dec 24)The Straits Times. (Death notice of Mrs Teo Lee nee Tan Poh Neo)
Memorial at Nanking to Lim Nee Soon.(1936, April 19) The Straits Times.
Mr Lim Nee Soon.(1936, March 23).The Singapore Free Press and Merchantile Advertiser.
Mr Lim Nee Soon.(1935, August 25).The Straits Times,
Man behind the old Nee Soon Village.(1987,November 24). The Straits Times,
Turf Man dies-his horses won 100 races. (1956, July 22 ).The Straits Times.
World War II hero Tay Ah Soey dies at age 97.(2011, August 10). The Straits Times.

Tok Cheng Tuan (Bukit Brown)

2012-01-04T23:30:00.000+08:00

Tok Cheng Tuan's tomb (Block 2 Division B) is interesting and eye catching for its large size, benches and an A4 size picture of him and his wife. His tomb consists of sculptures flanking its right and left- eagles and jade maidens, tombstone and decorative shoulders. You can also make out the additional tombstone with their A4 pictures. What is out of this picture is two stone benches. The two pegs (no. 1947 and 1948) indicate that this graves are likely affected by the road.

Tomb of Tok Cheng Tuan

Tok Cheng Tuan was a storekeeper at the Anglo French Trading Co. On 11 Feb 1926, while walking to work, he was shot by a bullet by an assailant by the name of Tan Kim Swee. By twist of faith, Mr Tok survived as he was wearing a leather belt and somehow the bullet was deflected away from his vital organs but was still embedded near his spine, without causing real harm (unfortunately he died a year later though, but whether it because of this wounds is unknown to me). Mr Tan was sentenced to 7 years of hard labour and given 12 strokes of the whip.

As said, slightly more than a year later, on May 6, 1927, Mr Tok died at his house in 61 Club Street. He was only 38 years old, leaving behind his beloved wife Oon Tuan Cheng, 2 sons and 4 daughters.

Mrs Tok on the tombstone was said to have died on 28 Sept 1951 at age 61.

ST 9 May 1927

Picture of Mr and Mrs Tok

Their tomb is now being cleared for ID by LTA contractors as they are in the buffer zone for the proposed 8 lane highway cutting through the cemetery to alleviate road congestion along Lornie Road.

Ubin Island - one of the World's most secret island

2012-01-01T10:27:00.000+08:00

Nice headline from an online article featuring the world's top 10 most secret islands. That article was targeted towards US readers/travelers though, but i guess rather than secret, to me it's a magical island and when stepping on it, you are timed machine back in time to Singapore in the 60's-70's. It doesn't even fully like a part of urbanised, metropolitan Singapore but a rustic, laid back kampong lifestyle.

Making a trip on weekend means dealing with crowds as Ubin is definitely becoming a popular getaway, as i see increasingly a number of tourist wanting to see a part of Singapore so serene and yet so easily accessible. The bumboat ride itself adds to this "experience". I shudder at any suggestion to build a bridge to connect and provide ease of access. That will really destroy the experience.

What has somewhat disappeared from Ubin is the declining local population, now mostly moved to the main Singapore Island as practical conveniences such as school, healthcare are not available on this Island and the ban on local poultry (chickens, ducks, etc) makes self substance living more difficult. You will immediately notice it when passing by kampong house's you would not likely hear any longer the loud cracking sounds of chickens, etc.

Puaka Hill where you can see both Singapore and Malaysia.

I made a trip on 30 Dec to check out Puaka Hill and was rewarded with this view. I thought of sharing this. So, what are you waiting for ? Do make a trip to this "secret island" if you have not.

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T00:07:00.001+08:00

Merry Christmas to one and all and may you have a good Christmas, shared with family and love ones.

As you can see from my recent post, a lot of it has been about Bukit Brown.(Not to worry, something on Ubin will come up soon). Do give some time by supporting it and saving this place.

A photo which i took some time back was selected by the Heritage Singapore-Bukit Brown facebook group for a Boxing Day invite to friends who want to save this place. I do like this picture which was taken from a tomb in Block 3 Division C and shows a lovely angel and do hope you like it too..

From the community of like minded people who support saving Bukit Brown Cemetery (BBC) , Merry Christmas!!!! Help sign the petition to save BBC . Do spread the word!

Again, Merry Christmas and a great New Year 2012 to all.

Birdwatching at Bukit Brown with Nature Society

2011-12-22T16:18:00.001+08:00

I joined Nature Society yet again on the 18 Dec for another series of walks to create awareness on the importance of Bukit Brown from an ecological perspective. For me, i did not need any more persuasion as i have already signed the petition to save it. The walk today is to help me further improve my birding skills and to meet with like minded people.

I arrived earlier at 7:45am and was rewarded as the saying goes " early bird catches the warm", i caught sight of two Blue crowned hanging parrots. I seen this parrots before in Bukit Brown, but its my first time seeing a pair of them.

Today's walk was led by Nature Society's volunteer Yee Ling(Ms) and Hang Chong (Mr). The turn out was very good as well with about 20 people joining this walk. We didn't walk far to see birds as the meeting place was the site where we saw most of the list mentioned below:

Banded woodpecker
Greater racquet tailed Drongo
Straw headed Bulbul
Hill Myna
Pink necked Pigeons
Blue crowned hanging parrots
Red-breasted parakeets

Woodpeckers

Blue crowned hanging parrot (left) & 4 Hill Mynas (right)

I learned that other than being a roosting place for fruit bats, the bird nest fern often seen on the rain tree is used by Pangolin's as its home away from predators ! Because pangolins needs long claws to get through its main food supply (termites in the hard termite mounts), this long claws makes it difficult for it to walk and they improvised by walking on two legs and balancing using its legs. Another takeaway i learned is that the fruit bats here i not blind but do use their sight and their keen sense of smell in finding their fruit source.

An important geographical lesson i learned is that the terrain of Bukit Brown is made of a few hills and natural stream flows through its various "valleys" providing an important link for the food chain.

Some of the streams that run across Bukit Brown

The whole tour was fun indeed and i got to learn new things as well. There is another public walk organised by Nature Society on the 24th Dec. Do visit Nature Society's facebook page for more details.

See Boh Ih (Bukit Brown)

2011-12-17T12:44:00.002+08:00

See Boh Ih (民国庚辰年 - died 1940(?) at Block 4 Division C) is said to be a prominent banker.

He was a family friend of Tan Cheng Siong (General Manager of Oversea Chinese Bank Ltd, another prominent banker and Chinese community leader. also buried in Bukit Brown after he passed on at the age of 42 in Oct 1922).

One unconfirmed story goes that it was See Boh Ih that was said to have offered Tan Chin Tuan (the eldest son of Mr Tan Cheng Siong) , a clerical post in the Chinese Commercial Bank Ltd.

Tan Chin Tuan, of course went out to do great things as well.

Tomb of See Boh Ih

Mr See Boh Ih was once the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in 1928. His compatriot Mr Lim Nee Soon was the president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for two terms, from 1921-1922 and 1925-1926 in which during his second term, See Boh was vice-president.

4 Feb 1925

Reports also indicate the properties he purchased, indicating his wealth or at least business acumen.

30 Dec 1919

Cheng Chang Fu Circus (Bukit Brown)

2011-12-17T00:30:00.000+08:00

Mdm Cheng Kao Shin (Block 4, Division A )whose tomb is beside Mr Sun Si Ting (of the Tai Thean Khew Circus) is the mother of Cheng Chang Fu, who broke off with Sun Si Ting of Tai Thean Kew Circus to start his own Cheng Chang Fu Circus.

Mdm Kao was remembered as a lady of great kindness who gave free tickets to children who cannot afford to see the circus then. As Sun Si Ting and Mdm Kao are related, they were buried side by side with no barrier in between.

However after the breakoff, it is speculated that a partition which was erected between the two graves, so that the "prosperity" on one side would not cross over to ther side. (Notice the wall in the middle and the benches on both sides of the tomb). I am sure it was a tomb once visited by many, in its days.

The "circus" tombs

This tomb together with Mr Sun Si Ting is located in Block 4 Division A, flanked by two large and lifelike Sikh guards.

The circus tombs are just behind the sikh guards

Sikh Guards at Bukit Brown

2011-12-11T09:57:00.001+08:00

(Pictorial collection update-16 sikh guards as at 5 Feb 2012)

What makes this cemetery unique is the reflection of what once was a community of people who came, lived and subsequently died and laid to rest in this grounds. The memories, stories and impact they left behind is something cannot be duplicated anywhere else. The fusion of styles adopted as a result of socialisation with the other races they meet in their daily lives and adoption of various Asian and western influences with their own Chinese customs and beliefs, thoroughly makes this place a one-of-a kind heritage cemetery and the last in Singapore. I would like to call this a Heritage Park.

The Sikh guard statues are a fine example of this, where the once living, then impressed with the diligence, loyalty and bravery of the Sikh guards brought in by the British colonial masters then to provide security, decided that they would also be adequate guardians of their final resting when they pass on.

The artisans that crafted the statutes made so many of the statutes seem so "life-like", each with its on distinct features, whether it is moustached or full bearded, stiff upper lipped or with a friendly smile- indeed they are works of art and something we will never see again in this Island State.

Below are some of the Sikh statutes from all over Bukit Brown.(i will continue to add on when i discover more, so do visit again - last updated 5 Feb 2012). I have taken pictures of 16 sikh guards to-date.

Tomb of "Majoor" Wee Boon Teng (Capitan China of Selat Panjang, Sumatra under Dutch Control)
Block 3 Division A

At Ong Sam Leong' tomb, Block 3 Division C

At Ong Boon Tat's (eldest son of Sam Leong's tomb) Block 3 Division C

Block 3 Division B

Block 3 Division A

Chew Geok Leong's tomb - Block 3 Division D

Blk 3 Division D (tomb of Mr Phua Sen Wee -plot 137, 145)

Height and facial hair
Most are around 3 feet or less. The tallest is around 5 feet 8 inches. Some have dogs by their feet as well.
Do check out the differences between the pair for a single tomb as well ! They may look different from each other in terms of their facial hair and expressions. So take pictures of both of them if possible.

Block 4 Division A

Probably the tallest statutes at 5 feet 8 inches at Block 4 Division A

Block 4 Division C (plot 197 and 212)

Finding the Sikh Guards
Not all tombs are by the roadside. Some are up the hill hidden from sight. For those close to the roadside, some are hidden due to the undergrowth. That's the challenge and fun of it while compiling this collection. How many are there total is in Bukit Brown ? I think no one will ever know......but i am constantly on the lookout for this unique wonders.

Tomb of Mdm Wee Jee Neo- Block 2 Division B

Blk 2 Division F

Blk 2 Division D

Unknown Block- found via a grave caretaker in the jungle. Trail is from a jungle trail that leads
to Gymkhana Road (future Bukit Brown MRT) .
Notable features: Almost 5 feet and has large headgear. Covers a large area

Tomb of Mr. Tan Bin Cheng (Block 1 Division A)

Some of this tombs are affected by the road that will cut across Bukit Brown, So do check them out if you spot them.

Birdwatching at Bukit Brown with Dr Ho Hua Chew

2011-12-04T16:42:00.001+08:00

During the Symposium titled Spaces for the Living: A discussion on Bukit Brown jointly organised by Singapore Heritage Society and NUS Southeast Studies Society on 19 Nov, Dr Ho Hua Chew of the Nature Society invited the 250 audience that attended to join Nature Society for a series of nature walk in Bukit Brown(BB) to create more awareness of the importance of BB as a green lung of Singapore. I signed up for the walk on 3 Dec.

It was unfortunate that quite a number who did signed up, did a no-show probably due to the rainy weather that has occured the whole week. Neverthless, those who turned up including myself enjoyed the lovely morning weather and guided by bird and tree experts including Dr Ho himself.

We met after the entrance of BB at the roundabout and immediately our tour leaders, Nature Society volunteers spotted the Blue Crowned Hanging parrot and set up the scope for us to see it ! Under the lovely shade of the huge rain tree, we spotted fruit bats who were roosting under the leaves of the bird nest fern. Even the beautiful butterflies were out and about !

Spotting the Fruit bats roosting

Common Mormon

Our walk continued and just a few meters away, the call of the banded woodpecker caught our ears. The Banded woodpecker was very well behaved and perched for 3 minutes for us to take a look at it. (unfortunately my shots of it were underexposed). A pair of spotted doves and pink neck pigeons were seen also, busy feeding on a fig tree. We spotted also a solitary bee-eater. It's a juvenile blue-tailed bee eater.

Banded Woodpecker

Juvenile Blue-tailed bee eater

How can i forget to mention the Crimson Sunbird we saw darting among the shurbs. This sunbird is the unofficial bird of Singapore ! A vibrant little red dot, beautiful and full of life. Raptors we saw in flight today included the Changeable Hawk eagle (dark morph) and the Japanese Sparrow hawk. It was a very happy day for me to be in good company of fellow nature lovers.

During our walk we met two person representing SOS Bukit Brown which are a group of individuals working together to get people to sign a petition to save Bukit Brown ! Keep it up guys !

Dr Ho having a word with the
people of SOS Bukit Brown

Save Bukit Brown 100%

The case of preserving Bukit Brown as a heritage park

Although a cemetery area, the old trees and other plants have grown to become an interesting wildlife habitat after 30+ years of no human intervention. From a NS report 84 species of birds, resident and migratory, are said to be found in this area, making up 23 % of the total species found in Singapore. Among these are threaten /rare bird species such as the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Thick-billed Pigeon, Black-headed Bulbul. Some of these are exclusively forest birds. Given the proximity of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve or MacRitchie reservoir, this birds have moved over due to lack of space or attracted by the maturity of BB grounds as foraging/nesting grounds.

Although currently a speculation until an official Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) is actually done, we should not forget BB has a green lung other than being also a bird corridor. As a green lung, this area has and is still playing an important role of absorbing rainfall, preventing it from quickly flowing into drains that are already overburden thus preventing flash floods in the surrounding areas.The other is of course as a sponge for carbon dioxide.

As an old cemetery, the graves are also of great importance and are of cultural and heritage significance. I shall not elaborate too much into this as i will also be coming up with a series of articles on the various pioneers of Singapore buried here.

BB is an area where people come to jog, stroll and dog owners let their dogs have a good workout. Horses and ponies from the Equestrian Club are regular sights here too. This space is indeed for the living.

Volunteers with two lovely Scottish ponies

Ong Sam Leong (Bukit Brown)

2011-12-04T11:04:00.000+08:00

Ong Sam Leong (1857 -1918) , Block 3 Divison C was the owner of Sam Leong and Company that provided supply of manpower for the mining of phosphate to Christmas Island and owner of properties, rubber estates and brickworks in Batam. He was a businessman with also substantial properties and rubber plantations. Among the chinese community, he was influential as well, being once the head of the Ban Chye Hoe Club.

Even up to 1967, an Straits Time article dated March 27, 1967, Ong Sam Leong's wealth existed with a government announcement of urban renewal in Rochor area in which Sam Leong's estate was affected. I wonder if any of his estate and wealth still exist today among his grand or great grand children?

Strait Times, Mar 27, 1967

He passed away in his residence called Bukit Rose, located at Bukit Timah Road at the age of 60.

Death notice on Straits Times

Unfortunately in my research i could not find a picture of him or his funeral, however i did find substantial write-up and picture(s) in the papers of his wife with his two sons, Boon Tat and Peng Hock. It was said that their sons loved their mom dearly and this can be seen by the lavish birthday celebrations they threw for her in 1932 for her 69th birthday (She was to pass away 3 years later at the age of 72). I love the tuxedo outfits of the Ong brothers along with the peranakan style of Mrs Ong.

During her passing, the Sultan extended the Johore State Band to play during her funeral procession. That was how influential the Ong's were during that time !

Mourners and hearse in front of Bukit Rose

His sons, Ong Boon Tat & Ong Peng Hock are also the proprietors of the New World Amusement Park. When they eventually pass away, they were buried near their parents.

The Sam Leong tomb is touted to be largest in Bukit Brown and at the time of his death, the burial place was exclusively for the Seh Ong's only before it eventually became a municipal cemetery subject to size restrictions. Located up a hill, it's security is provided by two lions and two sikh guards. Other than its sheer size, what makes it unique is the huge earth diety it has (the size of a normal tomb), a huge moat that was according to stories used by the local village children and cemetery workers as their "swimming pool".

What is also beautiful is the complete 24 stories of filial piety, that graced their tomb. If you are keen to find out what this stories are, you can get them from Raymond Wong's Bukit Brown's website. (no point repeating this since it was comprehensively written at that site).

Lessons from Tomb Carvings -I

Lessons from Tomb Carvings - II

Lessons from Tomb Carvings- III

Lessons from Tomb Carvings - IV

Mr and Mrs Ong Sam Leong

Sikh Guard

Tay Koh Yat (Bukit Brown)

2011-11-24T16:58:00.001+08:00

Tay Koh Yat (1880-1957), buried in Block 5 Division D. Established namesake bus company in 1938. He was involved in World War II warfund and assisted in the war resistance against the Japanese. When the Japanese invaded here, it made him in the wanted person when Japanese occupied S'pore.

He was the Chairman of the Appeal Committee for overseas chinese massacred by the Japanese.

When he died, a huge procession of 100 buses,cars, lorries followed his hearse. The 2 pictures on the right are of that procession along Beach road and below left and right pictures are the buses from his company

References
100 cars in bus owner's funeral procession, Strait Times, Feb 4, 1957

Cheang Hong Lim (Bukit Brown)

2011-11-24T16:54:00.001+08:00

Cheang Hong Lim ( 1841-1893), reburied in Block 4 Division C. He was a philanthropist and community leader. The original family grave located off Alexandra Rd -Mei Ling St. His parents, wives, children are buried here (but not next to him).

Places named after him include Hong Lim Park, Hong Lim Market, Cheang Wan Seng Place, Cheang Hong Lim Street . Grave list his official Qing Dynasty Imperial title.

Tan Boo Liat (Bukit Brown)

2011-11-24T16:46:00.001+08:00

Tan Boo Liat (1875-1934) Plot 520, Block 3 Division D. He is from a well known family tree - son of Tan Soon Toh, grandson of Tan Kim Ching, and great grandson of Tan Tock Seng. On his grave stone depicts ray of light & side two bells...probably related to the fact he is staunch supporter of the Kuomintang Movement.

He also owned the mansion Golden Bell Mansion in Mt. Faber in on 15 December 1911, Chinese revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen, stayed the night here, in Singapore, immediately after his arrival from Europe. On his grave/paper, his title- Phra Anakul Siamkitch (family has close relationship to Siam-see earlier picture on Tan Kim Ching grave, his grandfather).

He died in Shanghai, body embalmed and return to Singapore via a ship called "President Johnson".

Tan Kim Ching (Bukit Brown)

2011-11-24T16:14:00.001+08:00

Tan Kim Ching (1829 – 1892), buried in Block 4 Division C was the eldest son of Tan Tock Seng. A philanthropist & businessman with business all over: including plantations in Singapore, tin mining in Southern Siam and rice-mills in Bangkok. He also owned two steamships Siam and Singapore.

He had cultivated good relationship with the King of Siam and among the Chinese community, he was well respected- once a head of the Seh Tan's.

His grave highlights his title of Consul of Siam ( Phya Anukul Siamketch Upanick Sit Siam Rath) , Chinese Kapitan and Qing Dynasty Imperial ranking.

If you are familiar with Anna and the King, he had a part in making the connections. It was because of him & his close ties with King Mongkut, King of Siam, that he recommended Anna to the King.

References
Tan Kim Ching. from Wikipedia.

Tai Thean Khew Circus - Mr Sun Si Ting (Bukit Brown)

2011-11-24T13:24:00.001+08:00

Mr Sun Si Ting - owner of Tai Thean Khew Circus

At Block 4 Division B (behind the tall Sikh guards), Mr Sun Si Ting who died in 1944, age 61, caught my eye. It said in english that he was the owner of Tai Thian Kew Circus, Nanking China. Insert is an ad from the Strait Times 21 Jan 1963.

While skimming through the old papers i discovered, interestingly enough, that this circus donated a lion to the "new Johore zoo" in 1965 indicating probably its shows traveled beyond Singapore and covered Malaysia as well. In fact after reading through various sources, this circus troupe has traveled widely beyond this shores to include China, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Some memories of this long gone circus in the comment section of this lovely blog.

Mr Sun Si Ting

427 Pulau Ubin and the former village head

2011-11-16T22:25:00.001+08:00

Here's a story of this house at no 427 Pulau Ubin. This is the house of former village head Mr Lim Chye Joo, who passed away at the age of 101 in Oct 2006. I believe the house is now currently owned by Mr Lim Chai Lai.

The house no: 427 is the title of my article and here are some the pictures that i compiled of this place and the story that comes with it.

In a Strait Times article dated April 27, 2005, Mr Lim Chye Joo's eldest son Lim Chu Zi spoke about his father who came to Ubin nearly 70 years ago and was instrumental in the island's development. He ran vegetable and prawn farms and later a provision shop. He also served as the chairman of the island's community centre management committee for 30 years.

Not surprisingly,while visiting his house, i saw certificates as well as pictures of Mr Lim with various political heads of Singapore.

Certificate of Long Service

Mr Lim Chye Joo with Mr Goh Chok Tong(left)
& Mr Abdullah Tarmugi (right)

Lim Chye Joo and his grandson Lim En En
(screen capture from Straits Times)

Mr Lim celebrating his 100 year old birthday
(screen capture from Straits Times)

When he turned 100, over 50 family members and guest celebrated with him at his house. Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, MP of East Coast GRC and Speaker of Parliment graced the event as well.

His house was also mentioned in the Strait Times article dated Feb 17,204 for the family pet ostrich that he kept in spite of Agri-Food Authority of Singapore (AVA) culling of chickens, ducks, etc from the island due to the fear of bird flu.

References
He does it by...keeping life simple. Straits Times, April 27, 2005.
Pulau Ubin headman celebrates turning 100. Straits Times, April 3, 2005
Big Bird stays on Ubin. Straits Times, Feb 17, 2004

Tampines Echo revisited

2011-11-10T20:53:00.001+08:00

Red whiskered Bulbul

Decided to pay a visit back to Tampines Echo after a long spell away from it. It was a quiet day as it rained the whole day in the morning, but why not ! Not a bad run, as i was rewarded with the following spots

Scaly breasted Munia
Zebra dove
Brahminy Kite
Tiger Shrike
Red whiskered Bulbul
White breasted Kingfisher
Pink-neck pigeon
Bee-eater (too far to id the details)

I know that's not much, but hey..i wasn't expecting many anyway. But it was the first time i saw a red whiskered Bulbul in Tampines Echo.

Bukit Brown - more than just a cemetery

2011-11-06T23:09:00.000+08:00

Bukit Brown(BB) cemetery is in the press more recently for its heritage and rediscovery of graves of pioneers and notable people of Singapore's past. My first experience of visiting BB was 3 years ago when i joined a organised nature walk by Nature Society (Singapore) and subsequently been visiting that place every year, but not as frequent as this year, 2011.

See blogs of past visit(s)
1) http://mymindisrojak.blogspot.com/2010/10/birding-in-bukit-brown-cemetery.html
2) http://mymindisrojak.blogspot.com/2010/10/reflections-in-bukit-brown-cemetery.html
3) http://mymindisrojak.blogspot.com/2011/05/goodbye-bukit-brown-cemetery.html

This year with more awareness of the richness of its "hidden" heritage, i also began to explore BB to find out more about the Chinese pioneers interned there. This is all thanks to efforts of a small group of people from API.sg creating the buzz and also self help DIY map of the place. In one of my visits i decided to follow this map and that got me hooked ! One unfortunate thing was i can't read chinese and hence unable to do my own discoveries but depended on people who could and share about it online.

I will blog about my discoveries on the heritage and people of BB in the coming months on top of my usual nature post.... Yes, its time to diversify into Heritage in addition to birding and nature trips ! lol..

In meantime, do enjoy this picture of a Asian Paradise Flycatcher and Grey-Headed Fish Eagle catching a thermal above me. Both pics taken at BB on 23th Oct 2011.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Male)

Grey-Faced Fish Eagle

Singapore Botanic Gardens and Cut-throat finch

2011-10-30T17:07:00.000+08:00

The full portion of the circle line has been up and running since 8 Oct, and that makes getting to Botanic Gardens /Cluny Park a breeze as there is station that stops there, and it is called Botanic Gardens MRT station. Exiting the stations brings you right at Cluny Park itself.

http://www.sbg.org.sg/visitorinfo
/images/SBGMap-121011.jpg

The park itself although not as well known as Botanic Garden's but it holds it own ground by regularly attracting picnickers, joggers and children on their way to visit the Jacob Ballas Children's Gardens.

For birders, its star attraction is the Eco lake which plays host to lesser whistling ducks and a family of Black Swans. The trees surrounding the park plays host to other numerous birds such as white breasted waterhen, tailor bird, olive-backed sunbird, pink-neck pigeons, rock pigeons and long tailed parakeets.

Lesser known to many also are 3 chinese graves that is located beside the carapark of Jacob Ballas Children's Gardens. This graves date back to the mid 1800's. See my blog about this graves later on.

On Deepavali Public Holiday, we paid a visit to this park to check out the bird life here. This are some of the birds caught on my camera by the Echo Lake. They included a Black Swan with its egg, a white breasted waterhen and finally two Lesser Whistling ducks.

From Top left clockwise - A Black Swan guarding its egg ;Two
Lesser Whistling Ducks; a white breasted waterhen

The star of the day that caught my eye was an escapee, a small sized bird from a distance that looked like a Eurasian Tree Sparrow but on closer inspection with my bins, it was a cut-throat finch , more commonly found in Africa. The adult males of this species has a bright red band across its throat, so that really made the identification of this bird so much more easier.

The question is what was this escapee doing here?

Cut-throat Finch

Red-legged Crake at Sungei Buloh

2011-10-16T15:57:00.000+08:00

Red-legged Crake

Decided to visit Sungei Buloh on 9th October hoping to see the arrivals of the migratory birds to our region. It was a good day indeed and one of the interesting shy birds i got to see today was a Red-legged crake perched on a mangrove tree by the bridge leading to Hide 1 A. This particular crake was not shy and neither did it take flight when i approached it to take pictures. The tree was located in a well walked area just after the bridge with a number of visitor passing by, but it did not even seem bothered.

It seem well aware i was taking pictures of it and evidence of that with one where the crake was looking back at me !

It was a great day for birdwatching and what a great start indeed. This is my first time seeing a Red-legged crake over here in Sungai Buloh and as you can see from the pictures above, its legs are indeed bright beautiful red. Will post up the list of birds i identified later...but this to me was the bird of the day !