Bukit Purmei might look like any other quiet HDB estate, but there’s more than meets the eye. Tucked behind the blocks lies a royal burial ground dating back to 1530. Known as Keramat Bukit Kasita, the site is a Muslim royal cemetery famous for being the resting place of descendants of Sang Nila Utama and other Malay royals.
Today, the site is almost invisible from the street, hidden behind the blocks on an overgrown hill and quietly coexisting with the neighbouring Bukit Purmei HDB estate.
Bukit Purmei’s HDB flats
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Constructed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Bukit Purmei HDB estate forms a cluster around a small forested hill that hides Keramat Bukit Kasita. From the main road, you would hardly guess that a royal cemetery lies behind the foliage, with only an old kampung-style hut peeking out.
Between 1979 and 1980, parts of the original burial ground were exhumed to make way for new public housing. However, the main area with the royal graves was preserved, leaving a rare piece of Singapore’s pre-colonial past amidst modern flats.
Image credit: SRX
Block 102 Bukit Purmei is the nearest block to the cemetery, as it’s right next to the fenced compound. Residents living on the upper floors get a view of the entrance to the grounds, a rare glimpse into history that few get to see.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the cemetery is eerie or deserted—it ironically adds more greenery to the area. The tranquil hill really does live up to Bukit Purmei’s name, which translates to “serene hill”.
Keramat Bukit Kasita—Ancient Malay royal cemetery
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Also known as Tanah Kubor Diraja (Royal Burial Ground), this hill has been around since 1530—or maybe a bit later, if you trust some historians, with the oldest grave reportedly dating back to 1721.
It’s one of the last few surviving royal cemeteries in Singapore, with burials continuing into the early 20th century. The site is home to between 50 and 200 tombs, with those covered in yellow cloth or tombstones marking Malay royalty, and green ones for Sufi tariqa devotees.
Some famous names you might recall from your social studies textbook are here too: descendants of Sang Nila Utama, the founder of Singapore, and Sultan Abdul Rahman II, the last sultan of Riau-Lingga.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Today, the graves are tended by a solo volunteer caretaker. The burial ground is closed to the public, open only to descendants of those resting here.
Future of Keramat Bukit Kasita
Image adapted from: URA
Currently, there are no further plans to clear the land. The site is protected as a reserve area under the URA Master Plan and remains owned by the Singapore Land Authority. This means the royal burial ground is protected from any immediate redevelopment plans, ensuring that a piece of Singapore’s pre-colonial past still remains.
Back in 2017, the site underwent a little TLC with structural reinforcement works, including upgrades and the installation of metal bars for added security.
Living near a royal burial ground
Image credit: SRX
Some superstitious buyers might hesitate at the thought of living right beside a cemetery, while many others see Bukit Purmei as a relatively affordable city-fringe estate. After all, popular neighbourhoods like Bishan and Bidadari were once cemeteries too, and now they’re some of Singapore’s most sought-after neighbourhoods.
A unit with the old 3A floor plan at Block 102, with 58 years left on the 99-year lease, is going for around $510,000. Rentals here are also competitive, at $2.8K/month for a 3-room flat and $3.5K/month for a 4-room flat—slightly below Bukit Merah’s median HDB rental rates of $3K and $3.9K respectively.
If you don’t mind the “neighbours”, connectivity isn’t bad either. The estate is just a 7-minute bus ride or a 15-minute walk to Harbourfront MRT Station, which connects directly to VivoCity. By 2026, residents will also benefit from the upcoming Keppel MRT Station, cutting travel times to the city centre once the Circle Line loop is complete.
Listings often highlight the peaceful surroundings and easy access to the rest of Singapore via AYE, MCE, and Keppel Viaduct. But with its small cluster of low-rise blocks, units here don’t often come up for sale.
Bukit Purmei’s HDB flats are a slice of Singapore’s pre-colonial past
Bukit Purmei is one of the few estates built around a preserved historical cemetery, keeping a part of Singapore’s pre-colonial past alive. While the idea of a royal burial ground in your backyard might raise some eyebrows, others embrace it as a piece of history that adds character to the estate.
The next time you visit the estate, you just might catch a glimpse of the kampung-style shed that marks the ancient burial grounds.
For more Did You Know articles:
- Did you know that Singapore used to have single-digit postal codes?
- Did you know that HDB fire insurance expires after 5 years?
- Did you know HDB ballots were once a lucky draw in real life?
Cover image adapted from: SRX, TheSmartLocal
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