Palace of Ghosts: Singapore's Untold History

The Spark: One TikTok, One Comment, Hundreds of Reactions A minor storm erupted online this week when a British woman’s offhand remark about Singapore’s “lack of heritage” triggered waves of indignation across social media. The comment, captured in a street interview and posted on TikTok, was picked up by AsiaOne and then blasted across Facebook, where it racked up nearly 800 comments, mostly from Singaporeans. The original TikTok video had already amassed 148,000 views and over 700 comments. The Viral Headline? And the replies poured in. From the witty to the wounded, reactions included: • “She wants an ancient relic? Just go to the mirror.” • “Who invited you anyway?” • “Singapore isn’t even 60 — my grandma has more heritage.” Missing the Point: Heritage ≠ History While the outrage was predictable, the real issue lies in the widespread confusion revealed in the comments. Let’s clear a few things up: • History and heritage are not the same thing. • History doesn’t start or s...

Tyersall Estate Deal Raises Eyebrows—and Ghosts of the Past The Tyersall estate—where the overgrown ruins of Istana Woodneuk still stand shrouded in tangled greenery—burst back into the headlines this week after a land deal between the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, and the Singapore government. The once-grand palace, now a silent shell hidden behind the Botanic Gardens, has long been the subject of public fascination. This latest development raises fresh questions—not only about real estate, but about the layers of history buried beneath the estate’s moss-covered foundations. Learn more in Palace of Ghosts For years, any hope of development had been stymied by the Singapore government’s zoning restrictions, which designated the Tyersall land for “special use.” But now, a deal has been struck. A portion of the Regent’s land will be swapped for a nearby government-owned plot. Here’s the irony: the land the government is giving up was originally acquired in 2005 through a compuls...