Heart and Soul: This "haunted hill" is my favourite one

Workers cutting grass at Bukit Cina cemetery in Melaka. Photo: Filepic/The Star

I was born and bred in Melaka. My family lived along Jalan Air Leleh. Our kampung house was located opposite the famous Bukit Cina, a vast graveyard for the wealthy Chinese, strategically situated in the heart of Melaka town and a popular spot for health enthusiasts and tourists.

People often ask, “Are you not afraid of living next door to dead bodies, corpses, spirits, and ghosts?” My entire family – parents and 10 siblings – got used to it. Bukit Cina served us well as a recreation facility. It was our playground for flying kites, playing hockey, and, most importantly, a safe shortcut to our school, the Melaka Gurdwara and the town centre, avoiding the dangers along the main road.