Have you ever wondered about a village’s name? Kampung Malaysia Raya is such a place. It sits on Kuala Lumpur’s southern edge near the Sungai Besi highway and the Bandar Tasik Selatan bus terminal.
Kampung Malaysia Raya is more than just a name. It’s a small village with a fascinating history. Established in the early 1960s it’s believed to be named after the Malaysia Raya a passenger ship. This ship carried Haj pilgrims to Mecca. Sadly it was destroyed by fire in 1976. However some doubt the connection between the ship and the village’s name. The ship wasn’t renamed until 1971 after the village was already established.
The village itself is a typical kampung. Around 2000 mostly Malay people live there. They live in modern concrete houses and some older wooden ones. It has a square a field shops and eateries a madrasah and even a plant nursery. One restaurant creatively named EATING LOCATION serves both local and Western food. Many Malaysian flags fly showing the residents’ patriotism. This reflects the village’s strong name.
Two entrances lead from the Sungai Besi highway. One at the Tambahan end the other at the Raya end. The latter has an arch welcoming visitors. It’s a quiet place despite its busy surroundings. A place of everyday life with a unique and intriguing story behind its name. It quietly celebrates the history of both Malaysia and its people.