Penang residents bid tearful farewell to 200-year-old kampung up for development

GEORGE TOWN, Penang – Kampung Siam, a settlement of Malaysians with Siamese and Burmese ancestry in Penang, is turning the final page on its 200-year-old existence to make way for development.

The tenants there had pursued every possible option, including appeals to federal court, throughout their 11-year battle to remain in their homes. The courts determined that the landowners have the legal right to develop the property.

There used to be about 10 kampung houses nestled in the enclave – which is a little over half the size of a World Cup football field – off Burma Road, near a reclining Buddha Siamese temple and a Burmese Buddhist temple.

During a visit by The Star last weekend, the owner of one of the few remaining Siamese houses was holding a garage sale to clear his collection of Siamese artefacts before the 180-year-old house is bulldozed.

Fourth-generation resident Nai Boon Phrom Sararaksh, 49, who lives there with his father Ninn Sararaksh, 85, said they will hold on to some of their prized antiques.

“But there are some we are parting ways with, like an old pestle and mortar set, my grandmother’s glass jars and other beginnings.

“I am a collector, so we do have stuff to clear before we lose the house,” he said.

Their double-storey house – brick and lime plaster on the ground floor and a wooden top floor – has a distinct Siamese architecture.

It has five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Mr Nai Boon said he has been having pleasant chats with people who came for the garage sale.

“We want to share our story about our heritage and home. It has been enjoyable meeting people curious about Kampung Siam,” he added.

Their home, Mr Nai Boon said, has a well in front of it.

“It’s been there for almost two centuries. Many are intrigued by it, as well as the structure of the house,” he added.

Mr Nai Boon shared that his wish is to maintain the history of the land and the people, but he is unsure if this is possible.

“My neighbours have moved out and their homes have been demolished. We’ve received a notice as well, but are hoping to remain here,” he said.

Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo said that to date, the landowners have not submitted their latest development plans and are only seeking vacant possession.

“I had stressed to the landowners that regardless of their development plans, they must prioritise traffic management due to the narrow nature of that stretch of Burma Road, which was previously used for bullock carts. They may even have to build a service road,” he added.

Furthermore, Mr Woo said, the purpose and architecture of any new development must take into consideration the two historic Buddhist temples. “The old and new must blend together so that this part of Pulau Tikus retains its olden-day vibes.”

Mr Woo added that in late 2023, the landowners served eviction notices to those who had accepted undisclosed amounts in compensation.

In 1845, Queen Victoria of England bequeathed the land to pioneer settlers from Siam and Burma (now Thailand and Myanmar), which was how the reclining Buddha Siamese temple and Burmese Buddhist temple came into being.

The pioneers appointed trustees and passed down their roles through the generations.

In 2014, the trustees went into a joint venture deal with a developer, and the part of the land that formed Kampung Siam was earmarked for development.

Plans were submitted in 2014, proposing a hotel and shophouses, but these were not approved pending Kampung Siam residents’ attempt to continue living there. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK