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.

SCENES FOREVER GONE FROM KAJANG

Kajang is developing at a fantastically fast pace. Data reviews that the population in Kajang and Hulu Langat District is increasing at a rate of 10% per annum. This is due to its proximity to Kuala Lumpur and Putra Jaya, Cyber Jaya , KLIA and Multimedia Super Corridor(MSC) alongside with numerous higher institutions in its suburbs. New migrants from all over Malaysia are mostly middle-class who travel to and from the above establishment.

Kajang township has transformed from its agricultural and tin based rural substantial economy into commercialized small and medium industries, service industries and has evolved into a commuter township. Due to slow and sluggish infra-structure development , problems like traffic jams, crimes, pollution, unscheduled development and lots of other deteriorations in quality of life has slowly encroached into their daily livelihood.

I manage to get prints and images of old Kajang . Some of them are from the National Archives. Some of these scenes had been wiped out from town giving way to new development. Hopefully, this would bring back some of your memories.

The Kajang District Office was situated at the location of Dato’ Nasir Building beside the stadium. It was a double storey building constructed by the British Colonial Government in 1890s. Its architecture is a combination of European and local design. Unfortunately, this old-fashioned structure had to be demolished in late 1960s or early 1970s. The aerial photos of Kajang Town taken in 1968 from helicopter showed its existence alongside the neo-classic designed post office.

You might had noticed the road leading to Kajang Stadium is named Jalan Kelab. The photo I got from National Archives only showed the road to the Club which was heavily shaded by big trees. The Club was a social and recreation centre for the British planters and colonial officials. The distinguished planters in Kajang were the Kindersly Brothers who owned more than 500 acres of rubber plantation under company Inch Kenneth. Today, the road beside Metro Plaza is named Jalan Kindersly.

( Note: More photos and history write-up can be viewed at Hulu Langat Heritage Centre, 39, 3rd Floor, Jalan Mendaling, Kajang. Open during office hours. )