A tiny islet, Pulau Anak Bukom (which means 'child of Bukom' in Malay) used to lie next to its much larger and heavily industrialised parent, Pulau Bukom. Through land reclamation, it was merged with its parent, on which the enormous Shell oil refinery is located. Shell's association with the island dates back to 1891. The word 'bukum' is said to come from the Malay name for a shell called 'rangkek bukom' which is wide at one end and tapers to a narrow point– the shape of Bukom Besar prior to man-made changes to it. The word 'bukum' is also said to come from 'hukum' which is Malay (from Arab origins) for order, command, judicial decision or sentence. Pulau Anak Bukom was noted as a nesting and roosting site for resident shore birds.

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