There’s a strong reason Kampung Baru – the sole traditional Malay village in urban KL – remains one of the most charming places in the city. Houses built in the 1900s; the blunt beauty of derelict flats juxtaposed against the quaint shops of old-fashioned Malay tailors, songkok makers, barbers, and cobblers; the nasi biryani that transcends generations – they are all familiar ingredients of a warm neighbourhood.
Kamal Sellehuddin, who fell in love with the village while working as a photographer with The Star for six years, began documenting Kampung Baru as more and more village lots are being sold to developers. Waves of gentrification flood the city, and Kampung Baru – sitting on prime land – is directly in its path. Some of Kamal’s photos reveal personal anecdotes of the people living in the area: Mr Zainal, who rented out his home to Malaysia’s first Minister of Agriculture during the ’50s, refused to sell his house even though the minister deeply insisted because Zainal treasures it too much; Kak Chu, a third generation Kampung Baru resident, claims that although no residents have been forcibly evicted, many have fallen lure to the simple offer of money.
If we’ve learned anything in the last decade of gentrification in KL, it’s that there will always be a next. But there are ways for developers to cash in on the lands around Kampung Baru without tearing apart the fabric of the village: improve on the public amenities, bring in philanthropic investors instead of predatory developers, build creative spaces that’ll draw in more visitors, etc. A 78-storey two-tower commercial development with a ‘SkyMall’ and the highest Ferris wheel in South-East Asia is not ‘uplifting Kampung Baru’s brand new identity’ – it’s taking away exactly what Kampung Baru is: a heritage enclave.
It’s true – we can’t live on a diet of sunshine and local pride. But modernisation and economic rejuvenation don’t always mean erecting more commercial edifices and malls. A country, a city, or a neighbourhood won’t be what it is if not for its heritage and stories – Kamal’s photo exhibition is a great testament to that.
Catch Kamal’s photo exhibition at Transit Gallery, Unit 10 & 11 (opposite the KLIA Express Arrival Hall), KL Sentral, KL, 10am-6pm. Until Oct 7.