KKB bazaar revives heritage street

Families enjoying their time at Semarak Temasya Tahun Baru Cina held along Jalan Loke Yew in Kampung Chuang Rasa in Kuala Kubu Baru. — Photos: FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

Festive market in Kg Chuang Rasa showcases tin mining past alongside local delights for visitors

AGAINST a backdrop of century- old Nanyang-style shophouses, the Semarak Temasya Tahun Baru bazaar breathed new life into a quiet street in Kampung Chuang Rasa, Kuala Kubu Baru.

A vibrant row of stalls lined Jalan Loke Yew in the Selangor town, turning the area into more than a seasonal celebration; it was a tribute to the village’s tin mining heritage.

Nanyang‑style shophouses providing a unique backdrop to the bazaar.

“The bazaar aims to rediscover the memories of this old street,” said Kuala Kubu Baru assemblyman Pang Sock Tao.

“Those who grew up in the city know Jalan Loke Yew in Kuala Lumpur, but there is another one here.

“This street is also named after the famous tycoon Loke Yew,” she told StarMetro.

Pang said the venue’s proximity to the Rasa KTM station was an advantage for visitors.

Pang (right) talking to a vendor at the bazaar.

“We hope to activate this old street, which has become quiet over the years,” she said.

Kampung Chuang Rasa chief Tan Ching Keok said the bazaar brought renewed vibrancy to the area.

“We worked with shophouse residents to decorate the place as an Instagrammable spot.

“The exteriors are adorned with lanterns and auspicious greetings to welcome Chinese New Year,” he said.

A wishing tree at the newly-cleared stretch of Jalan Loke Yew.

The shophouses’ distinctive sliding pole doors are a hallmark of Nanyang-style architecture.

“These doors consist of heavy horizontal wooden poles secured by a simple locking mechanism using a vertical bar that slides through aligned holes,” Tan said.

Organised by Pang’s office, the three-day bazaar attracted visitors from across the Klang Valley.

Pang worked with shophouse owners in Kampung Chuang Rasa to help decorate the place for the bazaar.

It showcased the region’s heritage, featuring local specialities such as rice noodles, crispy rice crackers from Batang Kali and farm fresh vegetables from Ulu Yam.

Several vendors from the KKB Temasya Jalanan night market, held every Saturday, were also invited to participate.

Across from the stalls, a stage came alive with cultural performances, framed by the silhouette of a century-old temple, a spiritual landmark where locals sought blessings.

Visitors taking a look at the various stalls at Semarak Temasya Tahun Baru Cina, which is next to Rasa KTM station.

Pang added that ahead of the event, vegetation along Jalan Loke Yew was cleared as part of beautification efforts.

“We transformed a tall tree into a wishing tree for the villagers.

“It took several rounds of landscaping to make this area clean and tidy,” she said.