Palace of Ghosts: Singapore's Untold History

In today’s world, it might be hard to feel much sympathy for someone like Lydia Cecilia Hill. And yet, the young woman known to us as Cecily in Palace of Ghosts emerges as a figure steeped in quiet tragedy, her story threaded with a sense of elegy. It is easy to imagine that some fragile echo of her spirit still clings to the decaying walls of Istana Woodneuk, where she stayed for a brief visit in the 1930s — a fleeting presence now folded into the mansion’s long twilight. Lydia Cecilia Hill (1913-1940) photograph from 1938 Find out more: read the story A Familiar Story Imagine this: a teenage girl with little formal education, from a small country town, but gifted with striking beauty and irresistible talent; she lands a job at a prestigious London dance club. There, she meets a man decades her senior—wealthy, worldly, powerful and handsome. He lavishes her with gifts, praise, and affection. To her, it must have felt like the start of a dazzling new life. It’s a story we’ve heard bef...

One of the National Museum of Singapore’s most treasured artifacts is a large, full-length portrait of Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham. For many museum visitors, perhaps those unfamiliar with the history of the region, it may not be the subject of the painting that draws attention—rather, it is the artist: John Singer Sargent. That Singapore even possesses a work by this world-renowned painter is remarkable in itself. And yet the subject of the painting happens to be one of the most controversial and scandalous figures ever to walk the corridors of power in Singapore and Malaya—and a man who plays a pivotal role in Palace of Ghosts . A close up of the portrait of Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham by John Singer Sargent from the Collection of the National Museum of Singapore Find our more: read the book He is introduced in the book’s Dramatis Personae as follows: “ SIR FRANK ATHELSTANE SWETTENHAM (1850–1946). Swettenham was Governor of the Straits Settlements between 1901 and 1904, and r...

Today marks 30 days since the launch of Palace of Ghosts: Singapore's Untold History , and I’m truly overwhelmed by the response it has received. There’s something irresistibly compelling about hidden histories. Even the most devoted fans of fiction seem drawn to the idea that truth—especially the kind long buried—can be stranger than anything imagined. This story, rooted in a distant past yet echoing powerfully into the lives of today’s youth, carries a resonance that feels both timely and timeless. Find of what everybody is talking about   On this one month aniversary of the book's publishing, I would lke to say a big thank you to the many people who have bought the book, who have supported me through thick and thin and believed in the power of this story.

I've often said that Palace of Ghosts: Singapore's Untold History  spans a vast timeline—from the 1780s all the way to the present day. Without giving anything away, I wanted to share a small teaser that hints at how the properties featured in Palace of Ghosts: Singapore’s Untold History have now evolved into the foundation of one of the city-state’s most enduring urban legends that seems to resonate deeply within contemporary Singapore culture. Find out more: read the book These videos and photos aren’t mine, and full credit goes to their original creators. I'm sharing them here simply to show how the myths, mysteries—and perhaps even hauntings—surrounding these old palaces have taken on a life of their own in the 21st century. The internet is full of intriguing bits and pieces about the location some of which I will post over the next few weeks. Here’s a great example from a YouTuber who goes by “Simon Says.” ( Simon Says ) Enjoy! Find out more: read the book

The "Unserene Sultan" In Palace of Ghosts , the untold story is narrated through the lens of a mysterious ruined palace. Pinpointing a lead character is no easy task. In fact, such a description rightfully belongs to the palace itself, as the narrative continually circles back to the Tyersall estate and the grand palaces that once stood upon it. Find Out More: Read the Book However, it is also true to say that the span of the Palace of Ghosts story arc, starting in the 1780s and reaching up to the present day, does include one human character whose life plays such an important role in the events that unfolded. That person is Sultan Ibrahim of Johor (1873-1959) and one of the reasons he stands out is how long he ruled as Sultan of Johor. The previous post introduced this remarkable man.  His astonishing tenure as Sultan of Johor alone – an incredible 64 years – qualifies him as a major figure in the region’s history and the story of Palace of Ghosts . But, of course, there is...

Sultan Abu Bakar passed away in London, UK, on 4 June 1895 only months after the grand ball at Istana Tyersall. His body was shipped back to Johor where he was laid to rest at the royal mausoleum at Makam Mahmoodiah on 7 September 1895. The creator of Istana Tyersall, his Sultana Fatimah, had been buried there four years earlier in 1891.  His son, Tunku Ibrahim was installed as the new Sultan of Johor in November 1895. Sultan Ibrahim’s reign was to span more than six decades, encompassing two world wars and a host of sensational and dramatic events. Palace of Ghosts dedicates five chapters to this transformative period, during which the Tyersall estate underwent significant changes that in many ways mirrored the sweeping geopolitical and social shifts in both Singapore and Johor. A frequently controversial figure, Sultan Ibrahim's life is a fascinating tale of immense wealth, power, heartbreak, and tragedy—recurring themes woven throughout the narrative of  Palace of Ghosts: ...

With the launch of  Palace of Ghosts: Singapore’s Untold History , (available now on Amazon), I wanted to share a highlight event that features prominently in the story.  Click Here to Buy the Paperback Book In 1895, Sultan Abu Bakar hosted a grand ball to celebrate, in an ostentatious fashion, the opening of Istana Tyersall—a momentous occasion marking not only the opening of Istana Tyersall, but also the launch of a new royal dynasty, one officially recognized by Britain’s Queen Victoria.  There are no known photographs of the Sultan's grand ball, but this depiction of a European royal ball, painted by Wilhelm Gause in 1900, showcases a scene that would have been recognizable to attendees of the Sultan's grand ball at Istana Tyersall in 1895. Throughout his life, Abu Bakar was fixated on inheriting the sovereign title of the defunct Johor-Riau Sultanate: Sultan of Johor. The new state of Johor had been under his firm control for decades by the time he finally achieved h...