BY JAROD LIM

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Sitting in an ideal location in Kuala Lumpur, Kampung Baru remains locked in time compared to the rapid development taking place around the area. The village was founded as a Malay community or Malay Agricultural Settlement by the British government in 1899. It encompasses seven small villages and each has an elected penghulu (chieftain). A glimpse of the past can be seen in traditional houses as these are old beautiful architecture portraying the Malay culture and heritage.

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Led by experienced guides, the two-and-a-half-hour guided tour educates visitors and
tourists on the history of Kampung Baru and brings them to various attraction sites. Walking into Kampung Baru transports one away from modernisation as village life unfolds with its charm. Here, the simplicity of kampung life can be felt as it is common to see locals riding on motorcycles and bicycles along narrow roads. This is the place to go to for authentic Malay food such as nasi lemak (coconut milk rice), ayam bakar (grilled chicken), nasi campur (mixed rice), kuih and traditional Malay cookies, as well as Indonesian cuisine.

Accessibility into the area is not an issue as the Kampung Baru LRT and Medan Tunku
Monorail station are located in the vicinity. The city’s largest wet market, the Chow Kit market, offers good bargains and a variety of hawker fare. People from all walks of life can be seen shopping for spices, meat, seafood and even exotic fruits at this market. There are also stalls selling shoes, electronic equipment, antiques, clothing and textile.

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Although initiatives by the Government to modernise the area has been welcomed by some quarters, there are others who remain skeptical about development plans. “DBKL and PKB has to ensure that with the development, Kampung Baru’s cultural heritage is preserved. We are worried that our culture and heritage will be lost in the comprehensive development that will take place. There are plans to build multi-storey buildings and we are afraid old houses will be demolished and the area will lose its Malay identity,” said Kampong Baru MAS management board secretary Shamsuri Suradi, representing his committee members.
 

“Kampung Baru gives us a sense of belonging, especially to those who are still living in this area. Locals who live here have been here for decades. We prefer our way of life. We live a simple and comfortable lifestyle now but in future, development may bring about issues such as traffic congestion and safety,” he added.

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Adapted from https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/focus/2015/05/04/
village-in-the-heart-of-the-city-kampung-baru-does-its-part-
to-preserve-malay-heritage-amid-modernis