Lazarus Island, also known as Pulau Sakijang Pelepah, is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore. It is south of the main island of Singapore, off the Straits of Singapore and is uninhabited. It is connected by a causeway to Saint John's Island, which is reachable by ferry.
Lazarus island was also known as Pulau Sakijang Pelepah (alternatively spelled as Pulau Sekijang Pelepah).[1] Literally translated from Malay, 'sa', short for 'satu', means one, 'kijang' means deer, and 'pelepah' is a palm frond. Put together, it means 'Island of A Deer and Palms'.[2]
The island and nearby St Johns Island was originally a penal colony and a quarantine station initially for cholera, beri-beri then later for leprosy - a termed lazaretto - which may have been later changed to Lazarus. Lepers may also have been transferred to Lazarus Island (the connection being that the biblical character. (See Order of Saint Lazarus and Leper colony.)
