In the past it used to be a red light district, but nowadays it is a chic street with many pubs, restaurants and art galleries.
Who is this Keong Saik?
Based on a recent discovery in Bukit Brown, let us embark on the story of Keong Saik whose name still grace the street in Chinatown in honour
of his contribution to society.
ST News : 30 Sep 1909
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When Keong Saik family burial ground in Thomson Road was cleared in 1930/40s , some of the tombs were reburied in Bukit Brown,
including Mr and Mrs Tan Keong Saik and one of their son and daughter in law Mr and Mrs Tan Cheng Tit
The tomb of Tan Keong Saik
Children and Grandchildren mentioned in the tomb:
Sons :Cheng Kee, Cheng Tun, Cheng Wah
Daughters: Fong Neo, Choo Neo, Teck Neo (Mrs Lee Choon Guan, died at age 100 in 1978)
Grand-daughters : Ming Neo, Huat Neo, Keng Neo, Kit Neo
On 23 May 1893, the wife of Tan Keong Saik, Mdm Ang died.
The tomb of Mrs Tan Keong Siak – Mdm Ang .
She died in 1893 and was reburied in Bukit Brown.
Tan Cheng Kee died at his residence 319 East Coast Road, Singapore on Tue Sep 12, 1939, leaving behind a son Tan Soon Lay and a daughter
Josephine Tan Pin Neo, a son in law of Wee Guan Hong. Pin Neo has not been born when her famous grandfather died in 1909
Wee Guan Hong and Tan Pin Neo has 2 sons. While Guan Hong died in 1987, Pin Neo is still alive today and approaching 100, going to rival that of the illustrious Teck Neo (Mrs Lee Choon Guan). (Update : A few months after the NST article was published on Jan 3, 2010, Pin Neo passed away
Pin Neo younger son is no other than Peter Wee, the pillar of the Peranakan Association in Singapore, keeping the Peranakan spirit alive.
Keeping Peranakan spirit alive
