Unnoticed Religious Sites In Kajang

As development in and around Kajang is moving at a fast pace, what will happen to the religious shrines, temples and small chapels which were the spiritual gateways for the estate workers decades ago. A survey done by me in assisting a research project sponsored by Ford Foundation found that existing sites are deserted as the estates had given way to new development. Hence, the estate workers had moved out or were forced to evacuate from their estate quarters.

As a result, the worshipping centres were either bulldozed or left with no residents at proximity. Due to respect to religion or superstitious reasons, there are still quite a number of small chapels, temples and shrines left in its original state around vicinity of Kajang Town. How long can these religious sites sustain or persist in foreseeable future is a question faced by the worshippers and the local authority.

To the local community, these places carry collective memories of their ancestors and their struggle to survive in a challenged environment. It means a heritage that reflects the transformation of Kajang and its glory which was pillared by the sacrifices and hardships of the migrant societies irrespective of whether they are Mandailing, Kerinchi, Minangkabau, Javanese, Indians or Chinese.