'Though KL now a major city, residents have kept community spirit'

By Azdee Amir - February 2, 2021 @ 10:20am

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Territory Day was celebrated yesterday on a low-key note compared with previous years, with many people remaining indoors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jun Teh, a product manager in the information technology industry, was born on FT Day and grew up here.

Despite it being her birthday and a public holiday to boot, she was nevertheless kept busy as she worked from home and answered calls and conference calls, as well as attended virtual meetings.

She said that growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, there had been many changes to Kuala Lumpur's landscape and skyline.

While she was appreciative of certain aspects of modernisation that the city had undergone, she could not help but reminisce about the "good old days".

"I grew up in Damansara and I still live in the area.When I was a child, I used to walk to and from school and I loved it, as there weren't many dangers then.

"I loved walking, and what made it even better was that at just about every corner or street, especially outside schools, there'd be food trucks or motorcycle carriages selling drinks and snacks. I loved having kacang putih, chee cheong fun and Nyonya kuih. When I was a student and teenager, I had to take the bus to go anywhere, and the bus schedule was unpredictable.

"But nowadays, I appreciate the fact that I can walk to a MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) or LRT (Light Rail Transit) station and I can go anywhere in and around the city, which is great. Over the years, public transport has become more accessible, expansive and convenient for everyone. It's very exciting as our world is an oyster, even without a car.

"I like the fact that despite all the changes, some parts of the city, especially the historical areas, have remained untouched by development and been preserved as part of the city's heritage, history and attractiveness, such as Petaling Street, where people can go for Hokkien Mee or enjoy drinking air mata kucing. People can also shop at the many stalls and shops in the area."

She said other aspects had benefited from the modernisation, such as the arts, where platforms such as KLPac (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre) and Istana Budaya had allowed local and international artistes to perform or carry out exhibitions

"I remember that while growing up, perhaps I'd be able to go for a play or exhibition only once in a blue moon. But nowadays, with places like KLpac and Istana Budaya, more Malaysians can enjoy and appreciate different genres of the arts, which provides a platform for artistes to grow.

"And I have to state that especially with all that is happening now, I am relieved and grateful that we Malaysians have managed to retain our loving, caring and compassionate nature when push comes to shove.

"It is heartwarming that during such tough and trying times, we help out Malaysians in need or have fallen on hard times.

"With the hashtag of #KitaJagaKita, for example, many Malaysians have found ways to give back to society, such as by organising to help those in need.

"I am proud that many of us retained this trait."

Teh said she hoped that despite the challenges, Malaysia and its people would continue to progress while retaining the community and helpful spirit, and at the same time, find ways to persevere and thrive.