If you reside in Holland Village, you would undoubtedly be familiar with the prominent Hakka cemetery situated right in the heart of the Holland Close HDB estate. This cemetery, known by many names including the Ying Fo Kuan Hakka Cemetery and the Shuang Long Shan Cemetery, stands as a significant fragment of Singapore’s rich heritage.
Over the years, it has served as a convenient shortcut for locals to reach the Commonwealth MRT station.
However, this well-trodden path has recently been closed off, causing a stir among the residents who now find themselves having to take a 200-metre detour to reach their destination.
This change has notably disrupted the daily routines of many in the community.
A Walk Through Time & Shuang Long Shan Cemetery
The Shuang Long Shan Cemetery, a Hakka burial ground, stands as a living testament to Singapore’s rich history. Established during the Guangxu period in 1887 by the Ying He Association, it initially sprawled over an expansive 40 hectares before being largely repurposed for housing development in 1968.
Now, it occupies a mere 1.8 hectares, standing as the last remaining cemetery of its kind in the region.
Every one of the 2,700 graves at the cemetery features engravings that provide information such as the name and gender of the departed, the year the tombstone was established, the tombstone number, and the name of the family member responsible for the burial.
Notably, a large majority of these engravings display only male names, a testament to the patriarchal structure that was dominant in Hakka society in earlier times.
Residents have long cherished the shortcut through the cemetery, a path that not only saved time but also offered a tranquil moment of reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.
However, a recent post on Facebook highlighted the closure of this shortcut, now marked as private property with signs warning trespassers to keep away.
This development has left many residents, particularly the elderly, grappling with narrow roads and steep slopes, making their journey to the MRT station considerably more arduous.
A Plea for Convenience
Concerned residents have voiced their frustrations, with some suggesting a compromise: if 24-hour access is not feasible, the gates should at least be open from 7 am to 7 pm to facilitate a more convenient commute.
The new detour, which adds an extra 10 minutes to the journey, has been described as long and hot, a stark contrast to the serene and well-maintained path through the cemetery.
One resident, who has lived in the area for over 30 years, reminisced to Shin Min Daily News about the days when the shortcut was bustling with people, offering a quicker and more pleasant walk to their destination.
Despite the evident inconvenience, the cemetery staff emphasized that the decision to lock the gates was not made lightly.
Before the onset of the pandemic, there were several instances of individuals behaving erratically within the cemetery grounds, which necessitated calls to the police.
This move, therefore, seeks to prioritise safety and maintain the sanctity of the cemetery.
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