Whispers of history linger here. This is Surau Baru Kampung Puah Seberang. Stand before its walls and feel the weight of time. This humble surau a small mosque is more than just a place of worship. It’s a living testament to the resilience of a community. A community once rooted in Kampung Puah Seberang a traditional Malay village in Kuala Lumpur.
Imagine the bustling life of this village before its decline. Johari Manan a man from Bukit Tinggi Sumatra founded this settlement after World War II. He named it after his hometown. He built the first surau. He forged a community from fellow Indonesian settlers. Johari was an active member of UMNO. He championed his people’s progress. His legacy lives on in the photographs that still hang in his now abandoned home. He passed away in 1977. His spirit however remains woven into the fabric of this surau.
The surau itself stands as a symbol of faith and perseverance. It’s a small structure unassuming yet powerful. Officially opened in November 1980 by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. This small building quietly witnessed the struggles of Kampung Puah Seberang. It witnessed the relentless march of urbanization. It saw the village slowly disappear. It saw families reluctantly leave their homes. Many were drawn away by offers they could not refuse. Others fought to stay.
Abdul Rahman Mahat Johari’s son-in-law fought to keep his heritage alive. He stood by his ancestral home and this very surau. His wife Noorasmawati shared his sentiments. She was born here. The village held a deep sentimental value for her. She remembers the beauty of the nearby Sungai Gombak. She remembers playing in its waters. The river has been lost to time now swallowed by encroaching development.
The story of Surau Baru Kampung Puah Seberang is not only a story of loss. It is a story of community a story of faith. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of a people. It is a story that reminds us of what we stand to lose when we forget our past. While the village may be gone the memories the spirit and the surau remain. They stand as a silent reminder of a vibrant history. A history etched into the very stones of this humble place of worship.