Malaysian father builds urban orchard sanctuary in KL to channel his grief

Between the cemetery and the monsoon drain is UOKL, a little oasis brimming with fruit trees. — Photos: KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

Behind the concrete walls of the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery along Jalan Damansara in Kuala Lumpur, is a monsoon drain with water that flows from Sungai Penchala. In this space lies a narrow stretch of fertile soil, brimming with life and unperturbed by the buzzing vehicles above.

In the 600m-odd stretch of the river’s land reserve, there are fruit trees of various species. The Australian lemon tree bears fruits as big as the palm. They are bright yellow, but will turn orange when they are ripe.