| SO, will its past keep people away from Bidadari Garden? Well, it isn't exactly crowded at any time. Retiree Lay Hong, who has lived in the area for 23 years, used to do her morning exercises at Bidadari when it was still a cemetery. Ms Lay, in her 50s, said she has no qualms about living in the area or in the new estate once it comes up. She explained: 'I'm not a superstitious person, so I'm not afraid. 'When the cemetery used to be here, seeing the tombstones around me every morning as I exercised was actually a good reminder to me that life is short and that we all have to make the most of it. 'I'm a nature lover as well, so I've always loved coming here and gazing at the trees and soaking in the beauty of the place. It's quiet and peaceful, so I get to do a lot of reflection here.' Another resident in the area, housewife Rebecca Tan, 39, said: 'There are other places in Singapore that used to be cemeteries and it's okay. If the place is nice, affordable and convenient, then I don't see why not.' Some, however, like 16-year-old student Cheryl Tay, aren't too keen on the place. Said Cheryl, who spoke to us in the area: 'I'm here only because I'm visiting a friend who lives nearby. It's so creepy. I would hate to live anywhere near this place or any other place that used to be a cemetery.' 'It's just so scary to think that the ground you are walking on once had people under it. It's such a horrible thought. I would hate to be here at night.' While some residents obviously do not mind living and exercising on what used to be a cemetery, the quiet of the park was undeniably eerie. People may eventually forget that the place was a burial ground, but it looks like most haven't done so yet. When The New Paper visited it, both in the morning and in the evening, Bidadari Garden had only a few people using its winding paths. FAMOUS OCCUPANTS Bidadari, which means 'fairy' in Malay, was known for its cultural and historical significance, its lavish greenery and its illustrious 'occupants'. The remains exhumed from Bidadari include those of philanthropist Lim Boon Keng, former Health Minister Ahmad Ibrahim and A P Williams, an English sailor on whose life Joseph Conrad based his novel, Lord Jim. | 
