Bringing tide of revival to Selangor new villages

The Star

26-05-2025

STEP into Bagan Hailam fishing village in North Port of Port Klang, Selangor, and you're transported to a bygone era.
Its creaky wooden platforms bring a touch of rustic charm while the salty sea breeze evokes a sense of nostalgia.
On a sunny morning, elderly residents sip tea on their porch, watching the world go by, a stark contrast to the village's bustling past between the 1940s and 1960s.
'Bagan Hailam had its peak population around that period, with about 2,000 villagers,' recalled village chief Loo Cheng Boon.
'Many here were fishermen, but now, only about 400 villagers remain.'
Believed to have been established by Hainanese immigrants some 120 years ago, Bagan Hailam stretches 1.5km along Sungai Klang.
Once accessible only by rowboat from the opposite riverbank where the Royal Selangor Yacht Club now stands, paved roads were built in the 1980s due to North Port's expansion.
However, like many of Selangor's smaller rural communities, Bagan Hailam has seen a population decline.
Younger generations, seeking better work opportunities, have moved away.
Cheng Boon says most of the people in Bagan Hailam used to be fishermen but now, there are only about 400 residents. 'It used to be a thriving fishing hub,' Cheng Boon explained, 'but more villagers began fishing at Pulau Ketam, where yields are richer and which is closer to the mainland.
'They would work there and return to Bagan, but eventually many relocated permanently.'
This exodus even led to the 2010 closure of SJK (C) Wu Teck, a primary school established in the 1980s, due to a lack of pupils.
Cheng Boon remembers a time when the village used to be quite busy in the daytime.
'Fishing boats would dock at the jetty and fishermen would be busy unloading their sea bounty.
'Young kids would run around at the jetty or the wooden platform and get ready to head to the only primary school.
'Coffeeshops here would be abuzz with villagers enjoying their breakfast while chatting with each other.
'In the evening, the seafood restaurant by the sea also provides one of the best views of the sunset.
'The view is still good and a lot of locals and tourists still dine at the restaurant while enjoying the sunset,' he said.
These days, Bagan Hailam only bursts into life during festive seasons.
'Those who have moved away return to visit their families,' he added.
'When local temples celebrate deity birthdays, the village becomes livelier.'
Bagan Hailam used to be a bustling fishing village.
Today, only a handful of families still fish, while others run coffeeshops or enjoy retirement.
The village is now particularly known for its fresh seafood, especially Hainanese-style grilled crabs.
A shared decline
Further north in Selangor, Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai in Bestari Jaya tells a similar tale, albeit with a different landscape.
This village has also witnessed a slow retreat of its once-thriving population.
Village chief Chiang Yoke Leong remembers a vibrant past.
Villager Amy Lew (left), who runs a mulberry farm in Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai, and Chiang (third from right) showing the mulberry trees to residents from the nearby Malay village. — Filepic
Between the 1960s and 1990s, the area was home to the world's largest dredger, thanks to a booming tin mining industry.
'Back then, we had around 7,000 to 10,000 Chinese residents,' he said.
The industry's downturn in the 1980s led to a population drop, with many seeking work elsewhere.
'There are still a fair number of villagers working in agriculture, like oil palm,' Chiang noted.
However, when major glove manufacturer Hartalega decommissioned its Bestari Jaya facility in 2023, the population dropped further to around 690 residents.
'Several houses in the village are either abandoned or vacant,' Chiang said.
This decline has hit businesses along Jalan Besar, the main road, with many shops closing due to the dwindling number of customers.
'They relied on nearby villages for business, but if the drop in population continues, even more will shut down.'
He also highlighted the social impact: some elderly villagers live alone as their children or relatives work in Kuala Lumpur or other cities.
'Many senior citizens continue to stay on here after retiring as this is where they grew up.
'Some of the villagers, who are grandparents, would have family members visiting occasionally, while others stay alone as relatives would visit only during festive season.'
This has had some unfortunate consequences.
'There have been as many as five cases where villagers passed away without others realising,' he revealed.
'Their deaths were only discovered when a stench began to emerge from their homes.
'It is quite sad to see that these senior citizens have no one to rely on so we try to promote some community programmes to them so they can stay connected and engaged,' Chiang said.
Community-led revival
Despite facing a decline in population, community-driven initiatives are breathing new life into both Bagan Hailam and Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai.
Chiang initiated a mulberry tree planting project in Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai to give elderly residents, particularly those living alone, a renewed sense of purpose.
The main street in Kampung Baru Sri Berjuntai sees little traffic due to the decline in population and closure of shops.
Collaborating with a local mulberry farmer, he has taught villagers how to grow the trees and distributed saplings.
'More villagers are interested in planting mulberries, and even neighbouring villages have asked for saplings,' he shared.
'The project has strengthened ties within the village and with nearby communities.
'If it continues to grow, it could become a tourism product, showcasing how mulberries are used in jams, teas and other food items.'
Chiang believes the village's strategic location along the route from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Selangor could attract tourists as a stopover for mulberry-based products.
In Bagan Hailam, beautification efforts began around 2019 through a state government initiative called the 'Breathe New Life' project.
Village secretary Vincent Loo explained that the project focused on removing rubbish, especially from beneath the stilt houses.
'We are at the lowest point of Sungai Klang, so rubbish tends to collect along the shore,' he noted.
'The project raised awareness among villagers and tourists about keeping the area clean.
'It also introduced recycling efforts, and we've seen gradual improvements since.'
Thanks to this initiative, villagers have built a recycling centre and a mini-library, which now serve as a community space.
Tourism as a lifeline
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling told StarMetro that the agency was actively promoting a New Village Cultural Tourism programme, set to launch in the final quarter of the year.
'These new villages and fishing villages have their own charm.
An elderly woman at her home in Bagan Hailam. Most of the children and relatives of senior citizens here only return to the village for major Chinese festivities.
'We aim to highlight their unique local products and turn them into 'Fiesta Kampung Baru' experiences.'
Chua says Tourism Selangor is planning to launch tourism programmes involving new villages, which should appeal to many. The goal is to offer tourists a taste of each village's unique food and culture, promoting them across Selangor.
'While discussions involving all 77 villages in Selangor are ongoing, we expect to finalise plans by the end of this month.'
Chua believes the nostalgic atmosphere of these villages would appeal to many, reminding them of their childhood.
'These villages are perfect for weekend getaways and are ideal for small groups,' she said.
'Even many Selangor residents have never visited these new villages.
'With 'Surprising Selangor' as this year's Visit Selangor Year theme, these hidden gems will offer a memorable experience.'
Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) village liaison officer Tony Cheong categorises the state's villages into new villages, fishing villages, and organically formed settlements.
A quaint coffeeshop in the Bagan Hailam fishing village is one of the few businesses still in operation.
New Villages, he explained, were established during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960) as part of a resettlement programme, while Bagan villages grew from fishing activities.
Cheong: We cannot stop changes that come with time but we can work with residents to preserve and promote these villages. Cheong acknowledges that halting population decline is a challenge.
'Some villages do better than others, such as Serdang New Village, which benefits from its proximity to the city,' he observed.
'We cannot stop the changes that come with time, but we can work with residents to preserve and promote what makes these villages unique.'
When asked about the possibility of entire villages being abandoned, Cheong believes such a scenario is unlikely within the next 50 years.
'If that were to happen, the state might plan new developments for the site,' he added.