Section 38: Seri Air Hitam Chinese New Village

The history of Bahau Seri Air Hitam Chinese New Village differs from other new villages. Its establishment began in 1960, shortly after Malaysia's independence. At that time, the government aimed to encourage self-sufficiency and agricultural activities among the Chinese population, and thus decided to allocate land to eligible residents.

In 1958, the county government decided to develop the Seri Air Hitam area and divided it into approximately 5.7 acres of agricultural land per applicant and a residential area of 10,400 square feet. To process these applications, the county government entrusted the Bahau Siong Kong Association, Bahau Guangxi Association, Bahau Ko Chow Association, and Kuala Pilah MCA to find suitable applicants among their members. Eventually, around 200 applications were approved, and the land was progressively developed, leading to the formation of the Seri Air Hitam New Village in 1960.

In the initial stage, the primary economic activity of Seri Air Hitam New Village was rubber tree cultivation, as the rubber industry was the pillar of the economy at that time.

In the early stages, Seri Air Hitam New Village was divided into four areas: SiongKong Area, Guangxi Area, Ko Chow Area, and MCA plantation Area. Each area was applied for and approved by the Siong Kong Association, Guangxi Association, Ko Chow Association, and Kuala Pilah MCA, respectively, with each area electing its own village head. As a result, the new village had four village heads, which was a unique characteristic.

By the 1970s, the government implemented a unified plan and merged the Siong Kong Area, Guangxi Area, Ko Chow Area, and MCA Plantation Area into one new village, allowing only one village head to manage it. This newly consolidated village was then named "Bahau Seri Air Hitam Chinese New Village." The first legal village head was Leong Hong Wah from Ko Chow Area, followed by Yean Yoke Ching from MCA Plantation Area. Subsequently, the village head position was taken over by Liao Chang Shi from Ko Chow Area (1999 to 2001), Leong Kian Seng from Guangxi Area (2002 to 2018), and Wong Wai Mun from Siong Kong Area (from 2018). This rotation of village heads demonstrates that each area of Seri Air Hitam New Village has outstanding individuals capable of assuming the role of village head.

With the changing times, in the 2000s, Seri Air Hitam New Village officially changed its name to "Kampung Seri Air Hitam" while preserving its history and distinctive features. It remains an essential and proud part of the local Chinese community.