How about stepping back in time for a moment? We are standing in Sungai Besi. It’s a suburb steeped in history. Sungai Besi was once known as Sungei Besi. Its name means Steel River in English.
Sungai Besi was a historical mining town. It was filled with heavy industries. Steelworks and waste steel plants were common. The Sungei Besi Tin Mine was the world’s largest. It was also the deepest open-cast alluvial tin mine in Malaysia.
Village structures mark Sungai Besi’s early days. Many buildings are made of wood. Pathways are narrow and winding. A century-old Chinese temple stands here too. It was founded in 1901. The temple is called Xian Si Shi Ye Miao.
The shops and police station mark Sungai Besi’s vibrant heart. You could find street vendors and traders here. They sell food items and fruits. Jalan Suasa is Sungai Besi’s main road. It is the main trading center.
The Sungei Besi Tin Mine reached depths of 100 meters. Its slopes were dangerously unstable. Today, the site has transformed. It is now occupied by Mines Wellness City.
Sungai Besi Airport, or Simpang Airport, once served Kuala Lumpur. It was the main airport until 1965. Then, Subang International Airport took over. The airport housed the RMAF Museum. It was also the Sungai Besi Air Base. The Royal Malaysian Air Force used it. So did the Police and Fire and Rescue services. Operations ceased in early 2018. This made way for MRT stations. It also allowed for the Bandar Malaysia project.
In 1982, Sungai Besi hosted a Vietnamese boat people refugee camp. Two camp sites existed. One location is near where Astro Bukit Jalil stands today. The camp closed in 1996. The last refugees were repatriated to Hanoi.
Sungai Besi is easily accessible. The North-South Expressway Southern Route leads here. The road into the township is close to the Sungai Besi Expressway exit.
Many tourists visit Sungai Besi for its famed seafood. The Sungai Besi station serves the township. It is on the Sri Petaling LRT line. It is also on the Putrajaya MRT line.
Pekan Sungai Besi has remained untouched for 80 years. It was once a tin-mining hub. It contributed to Kuala Lumpur’s rich history. Pre-war buildings and an ex-military community thrive here.
Road names like “Market” and “Post Office” were replaced. They are now called Jalan Suasa. This refers to a yellowish metal. It’s a mix of copper and gold. The buildings from the 1930s tell stories of ex-miners. They also tell of tailors, barbers, and colonialism.
Locals willingly point you to the best warung or apam stall. They share their stories. They pass on their knowledge. Sungai Besi offers a quieter lifestyle. It has something for everyone. Young and old can enjoy it.
So, as we leave Sungai Besi, remember its layers of history. From tin mines to refugee camps, Sungai Besi is a town of transformation. It’s a place where the past meets the present.