从新加坡武吉布朗坟场看华侨领袖网络 = INSIGHTS FROM BUKIT BROWN CEMETRY ON CHINESE COMMUNITY LEADERS NETWORK IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The Singapore Bukit Brown Cemetery has become a 'hot topic' recently, ever since the government of Singapore reinstated that it is earmarked for future housing development. This thesis seeks to utilise the numerous information found in the cemetery to examine the kinship and business networks among Singapore Chinese community leaders from the nineteenth century to the eve of World War II. In this thesis, I would argue that these networks were complicated, carefully planned, and ultimately beneficial to the Chinese leaders. After which, the "Bukit Brown Debate" will be analysed as a contemporary incident as well, shedding light on recent developments in the Singapore society.