Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur

Kampung Baru is a Malay enclave in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

It is also one of the most valuable tracts of land in the capital and is estimated to be worth up to US$1.4 billion. But so far Kampung Baru elders have turned developers away, saying they want to preserve their ethnic Malay lifestyle.

History

Colonial British administrators gazetted Kampung Baru as a Malay Agricultural Settlement in 1900 to allow the Malays to retain their village lifestyle within the city.

Since then, Kampung Baru has become more than a village; it's glaring hold-out against development and modern-city living has turned it into a political symbol of Malay culture.

It already held a special place for Malay politics during the pro-independence movement that grew up after World War II. Anti-colonial protests were held there, and founders of Malaysia's dominant political party, the United Malays National Organisation, held their early meetings there.

New evidence revealed by the National Archives of Malaysia shows that UMNO has its origins at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung Baru. Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the documents were unearthed recently when some work was being carried out at the club.

Kampung Baru, which sprawls over almost a square km (250 acres), also played a part in the May 13 Incident in 1969, where bloody racial clashes occurred between ethnic Malays and Chinese. The riots started after Chinese-led opposition parties marched through the village to celebrate their good showing in general elections of that year.

In recent years, Kampung Baru also played a central role in the "Reformasi" protests of 1998, when former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim launched protests against then premier Mahathir Mohamad, calling for reforms to government and the judiciary.

Developments

At long last, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said the local plan for Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur will be unveiled to the public in April 2008. The plan will present in detail the Government of Malaysia's development agenda for Kampung Baru.

According to the minister, much thought had gone into drafting the plan with the government taking into account issues like the Malay image and land ownership. He also said the plan was drafted after many rounds of discussions with various parties.

“A sum of RM100mil has been allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for four to five projects requiring the government attention pertaining to land development and the improvement of infrastructures. Some of the money will be channelled to Kampung Baru for similar purposes,” Zulhasnan said.

Notable Landmarks

* Sultan Sulaiman Club
* Kampung Baru LRT station, part of Kelana Jaya Line of Rapid KL
* Kampung Baru Mosque

Notable residents

* Tan Sri S.M. Salim - Malaysian singer
* Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin - Naza Group Chairman

References

* [http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/38422/story.htm Planet Ark - Malay Village Clings Onto its City-Centre Address]
* [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/14/nation/19766116&sec=nation New documents suggest Umno has origins in KL] , The Star, December 14, 2007.
* [http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/1/26/central/20119636&sec=central Kampung Baru plan expected out in April] , The Star, January 26, 2008.