Kampung Fatimah in Kuala Langat could become Malaysia’s first Indian Cultural Heritage Village, with plans to preserve the traditional lifestyle and history of the estate community while developing the area as a new cultural tourism destination.
Kampung Fatimah Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman M.Kunasikaran said the village is a ideal location for the project as many parts of the estate heritage can still be preserved and shared with future generations.
The proposal is part of the Kampung Fatimah 2030 development plan, which has the concept “Mari Kita Kenang Semula Kehidupan di Estet,” or ‘Let’s Remember Life in the Estate”.
Kunasikaran said the project was important as the traditional estate lifestyle was disappearing slowly to modernisation. Many residents now work in factories nearby, while younger generations are becoming less connected to traditional occupations, customs, food, and stories passed down by their ancestors.
Kampung Fatimah which is more than 40 years old, plans to turn these traditions into hands-on experiences for both local and international visitors. Proposed activities include flower picking, food festivals, traditional games, cow milking, river activities, homestays and campfire sessions.
The village will also make sure their natural surroundings to create tourism experiences that allow visitors to take part in community life instead of simply observing it. Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk P.Manoharan, who attended the development programme, said the project had strong potential to showcase estate life as a unique Malaysian tourism experience. Representatives from Tourism Selangor, the Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Association (MITTA) and the Selangor Land and Mines Office were also present.
Manoharan said Tourism Malaysia was ready to work with Tourism Selangor and tourism industry partners to develop and promote community based projects. The village is also easily accessible for busses and vans, while a nearby river has been identified for possible development into a water-based attraction.
More than preserving culture, the project is expected to create new income opportunities for residents through homestays, tourism services and cultural businesses.
With the support from the state and federal tourism agencies, Kampung Fatimah is set to become a leading Indian Cultural Heritage village model in Malaysia by 2030.
Sources: Bernama
