Im a 4th Generation Kampung Baru Resident

i live in Kampung Baru,

i went to school in Kampung Baru,

i play at Kampung Baru,

i am a Kampung Baru resident.

for many, kampung baru may not seem like a place where it could

provide anything for the country -

economically, socially nor physically.

in true fact, kampung baru has been around for a very long time.

even for my family itself,

im the fourth generation who have been living in the same house

my great grandfather used to live in (Haji Yahaya Sheikh Ahmad).

my great grandfather was like some sort of the co-founder of Kampung baru.

he even has a street named after him somewhere in Kampung Baru.

people keep on bugging kampung baru,

saying that its in need of development and the place is an eyesore.

the media is sending such a wrong impression to the people by saying that.

yes, im not saying that all the houses here are of worthy of receiving medals

due to their accomplishment in housing design,

but it holds many significance in the education of our future generation of children.

unlike petaling street, which holds a potential

in the commercial and tourism sector.

but in reality,

even petaling street is still in bad shape and is rundown in some places.

but the truth be told,

the authorities were able to develop Petaling Street

due to the fact that there were no houses involved in the area.

(ok, maybe there were a few..)

and wat seems to be the problem in Kampung baru is,

it is 80 Hectares of housing.

imagine the number of households residing in kampung baru.

imagine the number of generations have been brought up in this Kampung.

imagine the feeling of the residents here when suddenly

in the newspapers it says that

"Kampung Baru resident are offeres Rm 4,000,000

to move out of their houses to make way for development."

houses in Kampung baru can be traced back to the 1900's. even my house, it was built during the 1920's. last 12th of January, Kampung Baru celebrated its 110th birthday. t-shirts were designed to commemorate the special day.

and after 2 weeks of the day,

the authorities told the residents to move??

are they really serious??

im not trying to be rebellious or anything,

i just feel like Kampung Baru is missed understood by a lot of people

and people are trying to take advantage to that misconception.

most kids nowadays would never have the privilege of looking at a

traditional Malay house. an original village. right here, in the heart

of Kuala Lumpur.

why deprived them of that chance?

why chase out 5 generations of Kampung Baru Settlers?

Why being so greedy, trying to promote development?

im all up for development,

(well, i am studying to become a town planner..)

but not all problems can be solved by money.

karma is in abundant.

an eye for an eye,

a hand for a hand.

let the decision makers choose the right decision.

we are not squatters nor are we slums.

we see no reason to be push out into the dumps.

we just wish to be left alone.

toodles.

ps. long post huh?? hahha~ emo sket hari nie.