Park upgrade fosters community bonds
Residents of Perumahan Awam (PA) Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur, marked a two-year milestone celebrating the transformation of their multipurpose park.
What was once an underused space has now become a lively green sanctuary for over 800 residents.
Completed in 2023 through PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd's (PMVSB) Public Realm Improvement Programme, the upgrade has since fostered stronger community bonds and inter-generational connections and renewed sense of neighbourhood pride among the flats' residents.
Similar improvements are set to continue across other common spaces within the Merdeka 118 Precinct as part of efforts to revitalise surrounding public housing areas.
The efforts are part of Warisan KL, a national programme driven by public sector collaboration.
PMVSB recently completed the Taman Kejiranan at PA Seri Sarawak to provide safer, more functional spaces for its community.
On the two-year milestone at PA Jalan Hang Tuah, PNB Merdeka Ventures chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud said, 'More than just physical space, it is a symbol of our commitment to inclusivity, sustainability and community well-being.
'We are proud to see the park evolving into a safe, welcoming and well-used space that reflects neighbourhood community spirit.'
The upgraded facilities include a multipurpose court with durable surfacing, an enhanced community garden, new seating areas and outdoor fitness equipment.
With sustainability central to the project, upcycled materials such as old fencing and playground parts were used to upgrade the park.
Old milk cartons were used as roofing to reduce heat and noise in seating and walkway areas.
Porous pavers for better drainage and replanting of trees have ensured an eco- friendly space.
For project partner Think City, the park rejuvenation has shown how collaborations can bring about lasting impact.
Think City managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed said the two-year milestone proved that the right partnerships and a people-first approach could revitalise neighbourhoods while honouring the area's cultural heritage.
'We didn't just build a park. We nurtured a stronger, greener and more connected community,' he said.
PA Jalan Hang Tuah Residents Association chairman Mohd Ismail Abdullah said the park project had transformed not just the space but also the people.
'There's more togetherness now. The park is where our grandchildren play, families gather and neighbours become friends,' he said.
Long-time residents such as Telaga and Amira, who gave only their first names, echoed this sentiment.
'I've lived here for over 30 years and for the longest time, the park was underused,' said Telaga, 54.
'Now, it's the centre of our daily life. It brings me peace to see children play and seniors relax under the shade.'
Amira, 34, a resident since 1991 said, 'We are grateful to have a place that feels safe and cared for.
'It's good to know that we are not forgotten.'
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The Sun
22-07-2025
- The Sun
PA Jalan Hang Tuah marks two years of park renewal
KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of Perumahan Awam (PA) Jalan Hang Tuah are celebrating a meaningful milestone – two years since the transformation of their multipur-pose park. What was once an underused space is now a lively green sanctuary that has redefined daily life for over 800 residents. The park upgrade, completed in 2023 through PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd's (PMVSB) Public Realm Improvement Programme has since fostered stronger community bonds, inter-generational connections, and a renewed sense of pride in the neighbourhood. This effort will continue across other sites within the Merdeka 118 Precinct, as part of ongoing efforts to revitalise public spaces in the surrounding public housing areas under Warisan KL—a national programme driven by public sector collaboration in which Merdeka 118 serves as a flagship development. Most recently, the Taman Kejiranan at PA Seri Sarawak was completed by PMVSB to provide safer, more functional spaces for the communities neighbouring Merdeka 118. In marking this occasion, PMVSB CEO Tengku Datuk Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud said: 'PA Jalan Hang Tuah holds a special place in our journey. More than just physical space, it is a symbol of our commitment to inclusivity, sustainability and long-term community wellbeing. We are proud to see the park evolve into a safe, welcoming, and well-used space that reflects the community spirit of the people who call this neighbourhood home.' Sustainability remains at the heart of this project. Upcycled materials such as old fencing and playground parts were used during the construction, while recycled old milk cartons were re-purposed for the roofing and now provides shade at seating and walkway areas, reducing heat and noise. Nature-based solutions including porous pavers for better drainage and replanting of trees, ensure the space remains both eco-friendly and resilient. For Think City, PMVSB's partner, the initiative shows how collaboration drives lasting impact. Think City managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed said, 'This milestone is proof that with the right partnerships and a people-first approach, we can revitalise neighbourhoods without displacing their soul. We didn't just build a park but we nurtured a stronger, greener, and more connected community.' Throughout the past two years, the park has served as more than a recreational facility; it has been a catalyst for neighbourly connection and pride. PA Jalan Hang Tuah Residents Association chairman Mohd Ismail Abdullah expressed his gratitude: 'We have seen a real transformation, not just of the space but of the people. There's more togetherness now. The park is where our grandchildren play, where families gather, and where neighbours become friends. We are truly thankful.' Long-time residents echoed the sentiment: 'I've lived here for over 30 years, and for the longest time, the park was underused. Now, it's the centre of our daily life. It brings me peace to see children play and seniors relax under the shade,' said Puan Telaga, 54. 'We are grateful to have a place that feels safe and cared for. It's good to know that we are not forgotten. They included us in the change,' added Puan Amira, 34, who has lived at PA Jalan Hang Tuah since 1991. The upgraded facilities include a multipurpose court with durable surfacing, an enhanced community garden, new seating areas and outdoor fitness equipment. These have helped promote healthier lifestyles and foster inter-generational activities within the precinct. PMVSB's Public Realm Improvement Programme shows how thoughtful urban intervention can uplift communities. As Merdeka 118 shapes the skyline, it also builds a legacy of shared progress, one neighbourhood at a time.
The Star
01-07-2025
- The Star
Nibong Tebal project brings old tales to light
THINK about history and heritage in Penang and the first location that comes to mind is the Unesco World Heritage site of George Town on the island. But some areas on the mainland – such as Nibong Tebal in south Seberang Perai – have equally rich histories. And thanks to a community initiative, this has now come to light. The Nibong Tebal Cultural Heritage Project took six months to document the town's stories, traditions and places. From its quaint old town to colonial-era estates, riverside fishing villages and vast padi plantations, there were countless narratives to be uncovered. The aim was to give locals and tourists alike a better appreciation of the area's tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets, and ensure they were not lost to time. Project members recording oral history over drinks with community leaders of Nibong Tebal at an eatery along the Sungai Udang Jetty. The project was done by Penang Arts Education Society (Arts-ED) in partnership with Think City and the Finance Ministry, and funded by the Seberang Perai Small Town Grant Programme. Project manager and community connector Chen Yoke Pin said their six-member team started work in November 2024. They had in-depth dialogues with local residents at places like the Sungai Udang and Sungai Acheh fishing villages, the former Caledonia Estate and Nibong Tebal Old Town. The team also did extensive research, scouring through archival sources and old photographs to outline a comprehensive history of the town located near the Perak border. This culminated in the production of an illustrated booklet titled 'Navigating the Legacies of Nibong Tebal' containing a cultural assets map and historical timeline, which are available in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese at various community hubs across the district. There is also a website and digital version of the booklet. The booklet, 'Navigating the Legacies of Nibong Tebal' is available in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese. These were launched in a ceremony at a cafe presided over by Jawi assemblyman H'ng Mooi Lye. During the event, Chen said they initially looked at various towns across north and south Seberang Perai to carry out the project, but ultimately settled on Nibong Tebal as there was much less documentation done. 'Many people only know the place as a destination for seafood and other cuisines, as well as certain places of interest. 'But we wanted to highlight the deeper historical and cultural heritage of the place and tell a more holistic story that few outside the local community knew,' added Chen. Project coordinator and researcher Amanda Chin said much of the town's history had not been properly documented in official accounts or photographs. 'Most of what we could find were little pieces of information, usually from colonial sources, which we had to carefully piece together. 'A lot of the local stories were only passed down as oral history so we had to speak with many people to learn about these things and make sense of it all. South Seberang Perai eco-tourism council members briefing Chin (centre) on the Old Kwong Hock Keong Temple's history. 'This often proved challenging as there were missing parts. 'We had to take great care to represent the place well,' Chin said, adding that the locals were appreciative of their efforts to celebrate the area's heritage. Chen said, 'They were very enthusiastic in sharing their cherished memories about growing up and living here. 'The materials we produced are not merely data but a testament to a participatory process that strengthened people's sense of ownership and collective identity related to Nibong Tebal.' Origins of the town According to the team's findings, Nibong Tebal can trace its origins back to around 1700 with early Malay settlers who practised subsistence farming and fishing. It was originally called Kerian due to its location on the northern bank of Sungai Kerian, before acquiring the present moniker due to the Nibong palm that grew abundantly in the area. Among the Chinese immigrants who started coming in the 1790s were Teochews who engaged in sugarcane farming and called the place Ko-Heng-Kang, which later evolved into Ko-Ean, a term still in use today. The turn of the century saw the British acquiring Penang island (then Prince of Wales island) and Seberang Perai (then Province Wellesley) from the Kedah Sultanate. Chin said the colonialists further developed the sugarcane infrastructure and mechanised processing to meet demand, which led to the founding of the Nibong Tebal Old Town around a jetty along Sungai Kerian in the 1830s for collection and distribution of agricultural goods. By the 1850s, the British also brought in Tamils from India to work in the plantations. This gave rise to 'sugar kings' like the Ramsden family who owned Penang Sugar Estates Ltd, and Chinese towkays like Khaw Boo Aun, who also dabbled in tobacco. Following the redelineation of the Province Wellesley-Perak border with the Pangkor Treaty of 1874, padi farming also took hold. The river remained the main artery for transportation of people and goods until 1902 when the railway line between Perai and Bukit Mertajam was linked to Perak's network. Plantations largely transitioned from sugarcane farming to rubber around 1913 due to the rubber boom. The next growth spurt came around the 1930s. 'Many businessmen set up offices, warehouses or services such as laundries and barber shops along new roads like Jalan Atas, Lorong Boo Aun, Jalan Baru and Jalan Pintu Sepuluh in the old town. 'This was a catalyst for rapid expansion,' Chin said. During the Malayan Emergency in the aftermath of World War II, anti-colonial sentiment persuaded the British to sell their plantations to locals. It all came to a head with the 1948 murder of the last Ramsden heir at Caledonia House on Byram Estate – better known as the 99 Door Mansion – a crime which still remains unsolved. This, coupled with the mansion's use as a torture chamber by Japanese soldiers during the war, gave rise to legends of hauntings and unexplained phenomena. Following Malayan independence, a local administration was formed, with V. Veerappen elected as the first MP of south Seberang Perai. In the 1980s, economic diversification schemes saw the establishment of oil palm plantations, inland fisheries, industrial parks and new residential and commercial developments alongside improved roads, bridges and rail lines, accelerating its modernisation. Today, Nibong Tebal has a population of about 40,000. Enduring legacies Chen said the booklet, map and website list 13 tangible legacies and six intangible legacies, which are split between urban and rural Nibong Tebal. Tangible ones include the Old Kwong Hock Keong Temple, established in 1866 by Chinese settlers to worship Taoist deity Tua Pek Kong and Sri Sithi Vinayagar Devasthanam built by the Hindu community in 1924. There is also the Annai Arulmigu Maha Mariamman Temple, which commemorates its patron deity every March with a fire-walking festival and chariot procession. The Tanjung Berembang River Crossing, once home to a sampan service costing half a cent, is also highlighted alongside the Old Town Jetty that has today become a recreational hub for pleasure cruises, angling and firefly viewing. Agricultural entries include the Sungai Acheh padi fields and the oil palm plantations that were set up in the 1990s. The Sungai Udang Boardwalk and Sungai Udang Jetty, which are home to traditional fishing communities, are indispensable to the story much like the Nibong Tebal Old Town, which is still the centre of commercial activity. In addition to the myths around the 99 Door Mansion, another intangible legacy is the Sungai Udang Tsunami Miracle. 'A group of older residents told us how, during the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004, huge waves parted just before reaching one particular village. 'It left it almost untouched while other nearby villages suffered some damage with mooring docks destroyed and dozens of boats overturned. 'They attribute this miracle to the protection offered by Machor, the guardian of seafarers. 'After seeing fish behaving erratically, a temple elder advised that they should pray and make offerings, which they did for three nights,' Chin revealed. Chiming in, Chen said this account showed how some stories remain relatively obscure beyond the immediate vicinity. 'Luckily, we were able to capture it in writing and through our illustrations,' she added. Elderly residents of the area also fondly recall the 'Bridges Over the River Kerian' – which were a railway bridge and steel arched bridge built in 1900 and 1925, respectively. The British intentionally blew them up in an unsuccessful effort to thwart the Japanese army's advance down the peninsula following their invasion of Malaya in December 1941. The annual Vinayagar Chaturthi celebration at the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Devasthanam is also mentioned, along with Pekan Selasa at Sungai Acheh which operates every Tuesday morning. For locals, the latter has long been the highlight of the week and their one-stop centre to shop for daily needs. Lastly, is the Traditional Padi Farming at Sungai Acheh, where farmers use a cooperative practice called berderau to lighten the workload. They take turns working each other's fields, which also fosters a spirit of community. Chen feels the small town charm is alive and well in places like Nibong Tebal, where everybody seems to know each other. 'They welcomed us in their dinner tables, homes and lives without hesitation or judgement,' she added. H'ng, who is also Penang local government, town and country planning committee chairman, said the cultural values, collective memories and local wisdom of small towns like Nibong Tebal could inform future planning. 'Urban planning should not only focus on physical structures or habitable zones, but also preserve the soul and identity of a place. 'By mapping both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, this project allows us to reconnect with our cultural roots and preserve local history,' he said in his speech at the launch of the booklet. Looking forward, Chen said Arts-ED was open to collaborate with more local entities to map and share such stories, to ensure they are told not by outsiders but the community itself. Also present for the launch were Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) Department of Sustainable Development director Normaira Abdul Rahman and ThinkCity's Seberang Perai Small Town Grant Programme officer Khairuddin Darwazi. The public can obtain the physical booklet at H'ng's service centre, as well as that of Nibong Tebal MP Fadhlina Sidek and Sungai Acheh assemblyman Rashidi Zinol. It is also available at the Penang 2030 Centre @ C-Mart Nibong Tebal, South Seberang Perai Land and District Office, Firefly Jetty Cafe (Jalan Pasar Lama), Old Kwong Hock Keong Temple (Jalan Nuri), Sri Sithi Vinayagar Devasthanam (Jalan Ooi Kar Seng), Chop Chuan Guan (Jalan Pengkalan Rawa), Lim Aik Chew Curry Prawn (Tanjung Berembang), Enew Enterprise (Jia Zhen) in Jalan Atas. To download a digital copy, go to
The Star
30-06-2025
- The Star
Park upgrade fosters community bonds
The upgraded multipurpose park at PA Jalan Hang Tuah has benefitted over 800 residents and the surrounding community. Residents of Perumahan Awam (PA) Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur, marked a two-year milestone celebrating the transformation of their multipurpose park. What was once an underused space has now become a lively green sanctuary for over 800 residents. Completed in 2023 through PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd's (PMVSB) Public Realm Improvement Programme, the upgrade has since fostered stronger community bonds and inter-generational connections and renewed sense of neighbourhood pride among the flats' residents. Similar improvements are set to continue across other common spaces within the Merdeka 118 Precinct as part of efforts to revitalise surrounding public housing areas. The efforts are part of Warisan KL, a national programme driven by public sector collaboration. PMVSB recently completed the Taman Kejiranan at PA Seri Sarawak to provide safer, more functional spaces for its community. On the two-year milestone at PA Jalan Hang Tuah, PNB Merdeka Ventures chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud said, 'More than just physical space, it is a symbol of our commitment to inclusivity, sustainability and community well-being. 'We are proud to see the park evolving into a safe, welcoming and well-used space that reflects neighbourhood community spirit.' The upgraded facilities include a multipurpose court with durable surfacing, an enhanced community garden, new seating areas and outdoor fitness equipment. With sustainability central to the project, upcycled materials such as old fencing and playground parts were used to upgrade the park. Old milk cartons were used as roofing to reduce heat and noise in seating and walkway areas. Porous pavers for better drainage and replanting of trees have ensured an eco- friendly space. For project partner Think City, the park rejuvenation has shown how collaborations can bring about lasting impact. Think City managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed said the two-year milestone proved that the right partnerships and a people-first approach could revitalise neighbourhoods while honouring the area's cultural heritage. 'We didn't just build a park. We nurtured a stronger, greener and more connected community,' he said. PA Jalan Hang Tuah Residents Association chairman Mohd Ismail Abdullah said the park project had transformed not just the space but also the people. 'There's more togetherness now. The park is where our grandchildren play, families gather and neighbours become friends,' he said. Long-time residents such as Telaga and Amira, who gave only their first names, echoed this sentiment. 'I've lived here for over 30 years and for the longest time, the park was underused,' said Telaga, 54. 'Now, it's the centre of our daily life. It brings me peace to see children play and seniors relax under the shade.' Amira, 34, a resident since 1991 said, 'We are grateful to have a place that feels safe and cared for. 'It's good to know that we are not forgotten.'
