Chapter 11 From the water community to policy perspectives of sustainable eco-development in Kampong Bahru, Malaysia

Abstract

With the literal translation of “New Village,” Kampong Baharu came into existence in 1899 with an area originally of about 223 acres located between the Klang and Batu rivers. It used to be a traditional water community, where people's lifestyles were entirely dependent on the river systems, and the main sources of livelihood were fishing and agriculture. It is believed that the idea to open the settlement was mooted by His Highness The Sultan of Selangor in 1897 to provide permanent settlement for the relocated Malays who were requested to leave, so as to make way for tin mining and related activities in the areas around adjoining Klang and Gombak rivers. Today this area is located around the Kuala Lumpur Mosque at Jalan Tun Perak. This event, however, is unrecorded in history (Personal Communication with MAS, 2007). It was reserved as the Malay Agricultural Settlement (M.A.S.), composed of nine communities then reduced to seven under a special autonomy of M.A.S. The total population of the area is around 45,000 with certain variation each year. To carry out the projects mentioned above, allotments of land were approved for the Malay people along with the condition that they develop the land through crop planting. Also, schools were built and amenities including roads and even irrigation water wheels were provided. M.A.S. was mandated to manage people's lives and activities and mediate between the people and government when conflict arises.

Citation

Shaw, R., Takeuchi, Y., Imura, M., Umakoshi, H., Iwasaki, S. and Suradi, S. (2010), "Chapter 11 From the water community to policy perspectives of sustainable eco-development in Kampong Bahru, Malaysia", Shaw, R. and Thaitakoo, D. (Ed.) Water Communities (Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, Vol. 2), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 197-223. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-7262(2010)0000002014