It’s all happening in Pekan Ampang

At 165 years old, the Kau Ong Yah Temple, known for its Nine Emperor Gods Festival celebrations, is the oldest temple in Ampang. — Filepic

KEEN to explore the more than century-old Pekan Ampang, Selangor? If so, join in several of the upcoming events that highlight the area’s origins.

The events are ongoing until year end and aim to bring focus to the town’s history and unique features.

The various programmes are organised by Persatuan Pencinta Pekan Ampang (PPPA) together with Tourism Selangor and with the support of Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

PPPA chairman Jean Lee said the first notable event would be the Jalan Merdeka Heritage Tour, starting Aug 31.

The walking tour, which will take more than two hours, will take participants to several prominent Chinese temples, popular eateries and old shophouses with colonial architectural elements, all located along Jalan Merdeka.

The best examples are the 165-year-old Kau Ong Yah Temple, known for its Nine Emperor Gods Festival celebrations, as well as the over-a-century-old Ampang Tam Khoon Mew and Mee Thor Gan temples.

“We are trying to find out more about how the name ‘Jalan Merdeka’ came to be and we are sure it will be an interesting story for visitors.

Many shophouses in Pekan Ampang have reached the century mark as proven by the facade of this one, which the community hopes to preserve. — Filepics

“They will also learn more about the origins of the place and its significance in the development of Kuala Lumpur,” she said during the pre-launch of the upcoming programmes.

The walking tour is open to a maximum of 20 participants at RM20 per pax.

Also coming soon is a Merdeka Fun Run on Sept 11, organised by MPAJ Zone 8 residents’ committee together with PPPA.

An ongoing initiative by the group is to help promote the local brands still existing in Pekan Ampang.

“There are several generational businesses that are still operating here and we want to give prominence to their stories.

“We carried out the first event in April where we invited urban sketchers to showcase their interpretation of the place.

“Next, we will be organising an exhibition of stories and photographs of Pekan Ampang, planned for Sept 30 until Oct 5,” Lee said.

In April, urban sketchers were invited to showcase their interpretation of the town’s unique features. — Filepics

The exhibition is set to take place at the soon-to-be-completed refurbished Pekan Ampang community hall, initially built by the community in 1954.

PPPA is also calling those with ties to Pekan Ampang to share their stories and photographs online.

“There are not many surviving records left and most of the written records and pictures were either lost or discarded by residents over the years,” Lee said, adding that the 20 best stories stand a chance to win RM100 each.

StarMetro previously reported that the Pekan Ampang community had started on a project to document the town’s history, preserve its century-old buildings as well as earmark sites to be turned into tourist spots.

Concerned that many of the town’s unique features were slowly disappearing, residents and stakeholders had embarked on the project to preserve what remained.

The series of events announced by PPPA are thus part of these rejuvenation efforts.

MPAJ councillor Stella Pang Sock Fong said the local authority was supportive of the long-term preservation of Pekan Ampang through the Draft Local Plan 2035.

“It also details the need to maintain at least the facade of the old structures and develop tourism in the area,” she added.

Those interested in PPPA’s efforts can follow its Facebook page, email [e-mail] or call 012-273 1027 (Jean Lee).