Muhamad@Ropali (left), who moved to Kampung Malaysia Raya in 1952, posing with four generations of family outside his wooden house.
TUCKED within Kuala Lumpur’s sprawling urban jungle is a village with a name steeped in journey, faith and nationhood. Welcome to Kampung Malaysia Raya.
While it may not ring a bell to most city dwellers, for its residents, this kampung is more than just a postcode. It is a living, breathing reminder of unity, community and a shared Malaysian identity.
Located in Sungai Besi within the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency, the kampung was originally known as Kampung Melayu in the 1960s.
It was later renamed Kampung Malaysia and eventually, the word Raya was added to commemorate a passenger liner called Malaysia Raya, which was once used by the Malaysian government to transport haj pilgrims to Mecca via Jeddah.
Many of the kampung folk were passengers on that ship.
“My late father was one of the pilgrims on that ship. It was a proud moment, a symbol of togetherness and faith,” said Kampung Malaysia Raya Rukun Tetangga chairman Mohd Zainudin Amran (pic), 63.
The kampung’s name, bestowed in 1970s, still holds deep meaning for village elders who remember the pride of having their community named after something so noble and far-reaching.
But today, what defines Kampung Malaysia Raya is not its past, but the people who call it home.
Here, families of different races and religions − now in their fourth generation − live side by side, some in the kind of harmony often idealised in Merdeka speeches.
“The kampung spirit isn’t something we talk about; it’s something we live by,” said Mohd Zainudin.
The kampung sits on 5.26ha land with 77 residential lots.
While the majority of the residents are Malays, the Seri Malaysia People’s Housing Programme (PPR) government housing scheme in the village has a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian residents.
Despite being surrounded by development, the village retains its rural roots with an urban farm which is home to several sheep.
“It’s a small township where you can walk from one end to another in under an hour,” said long-time resident Sharimah Isah, 59.
“But many of the older folk here, including myself, prefer to use electric bicycles,” she said with a laugh.
Her neighbour, Nikmarina Mat Hassan, 66, prefers walking as it gives her the chance to greet fellow residents and check in on others along the way.
“We have many elderly folk living here, and sometimes it’s good to keep an eye on them,” said Nikmarina.
Another resident, Nur Amirah Chan, 59, who moved to the kampung after marrying a local man 38 years ago, loves the peace and camaraderie of the area.
“It’s so peaceful and quiet, and everyone here is friendly and helpful. It’s like one big family,” she said.
“The muhibbah spirit here is real. You’ll see Malays, Indians, Chinese and others sitting together at one table, chatting like family,” said Vathani Maniam, a resident of the Seri Malaysia PPR who frequently visits the kampung for community events.
“It reminds me of being part of one big happy family.”
Whether it’s preparing food for shared festivities, lending a hand during gotong-royong or simply waving to each other from the porch, the residents of Kampung Malaysia Raya have long embraced the true meaning of unity.
“Most of us grew up here or have lived here for decades. We know each other’s families, birthdays, even their kids’ names,” said Mohd Zainudin.
The kampung’s oldest resident, 92-year-old Muhamad@Ropali Hassan, moved there in 1952 from Rawang in search of work. He eventually found employment dredging tin at a nearby mine.
“Back then, the village was barren land,” he recalled.
“Those who came later built their wooden houses from scratch.
Sharimah riding her electric bicycle past the Kampung Malaysia Raya welcome arch in Sungai Besi.
“As the years went by, many renovated and extended their homes with brick and stone,” he said.
Muhamad@Ropali, who lives with his daughters and grandchildren, still resides in his original wooden house.
One place that brings everyone together, literally and emotionally, is the Sungai Midah Flood Retention pond not far from the kampung.
Nestled within walking distance, the lake is more than a recreational space.
It’s the beating heart of the community.
Every morning, you’ll find people jogging along the path, some doing light stretches or catching up over kopi and teh tarik on the benches nearby.
In the evenings, it becomes a gathering spot for families, children and retirees, all soaking in the last light of day side by side.
“It’s our sanctuary,” said Mohd Zainudin, who is also the Sungai Midah Flood Retention Pond Nature Lovers Club chairman.
“The lake is where we come to breathe, to think, to be with each other.
“We don’t need big shopping malls or fancy parks. This lake is enough,” he said.
As Malaysia celebrates its 68th year of independence, Kampung Malaysia Raya stands as a quiet reminder of the Merdeka dream – not just freedom from colonial rule, but freedom to live with dignity, in peace and with one another.
It’s easy to get cynical in today’s world, but in this little kampung named after a ship and held together by a lake, you’ll find something rare: a version of Malaysia where unity isn’t just a theme, it’s a way of life.
