Section 47: Chu Ward Village

A Witness to a Century of History The Origins and Naming Mystery of Batu Bakar New Village

Source: Sin Chew Daily Compiled by: Rebecca Ho Mui Moi

Taman Bahau Indah Apartments are located near Chu Ward New Village, forming a unique community with a history that dates back to around 1992. As of 2023, this apartment community has been in existence for a solid 31 years, bearing witness to the growth and changes of numerous families.

The community consists of eight four-story apartment buildings, totaling 320 households. The establishment of this community aimed to meet the housing needs of low-income residents and citizens of Chu Ward. Over the past decades, Chu Ward New Village, as one of the traditional communities, has been undergoing continuous transformation and expansion. Taman Bahau Indah Apartments emerged in the midst of this process, offering a chance for residents in need to have a place to call home and thrive.

Taman Bahau Indah Apartments: The Cohesion and Historical Witness of Chu Ward New Village

He said, when the workers pulled in the fishing nets, the spectacular scene of hundreds of fish swimming was still vivid in his memory. Now, the fish ponds have been filled in and houses have been built over them.

The bustling "Xie Tang Tea House" of the past is now vacant. During the peak period of the brick kiln, there were dozens of workers, and they would have their daily meals at the nearby "Xie Tang Tea House," which was a lively market in the Brick Kiln Back area at that time.

This tea house, built with wooden boards, still maintains its original appearance to this day. The building is still located at the original site, but with the passing of time, the signboard has faded and fallen off. After the descendants of the shop owner moved away, the tea house was left vacant.

Yan FoShang mentioned that many vegetable farms were cultivated around the Brick Kiln Back area at that time, and not far away, there was also a coconut grove with over 100 coconut trees planted by the owner. Therefore, that place was also known as the "Coconut Grove," a familiar location for the people of Bahau.

The Coconut Grove not only yielded abundant coconuts but also supplied coconut toddy. Many estate workers at that time would buy coconut toddy when they were working or going to Bahau for shopping. At the narrow alley next to the RUBY Cinema, there was a row of stalls mainly selling coconut toddy.

The Ever-changing Scenery of Chu Ward Village: Historical Transformations and Unforgettable Memories

Chu Ward Village was established during the British colonial period and, at its peak, housed around 227 families on approximately 50 acres of land. However, as history unfolded, this Chinese new village underwent significant changes. Today, only a little over 30 households remain, with just 29 still inhabited. Most of the residents are elderly, earning it the nickname "the village of the elderly." Despite the passage of time, many traditional wooden houses still stand within Chu Ward Village.

The village got its name from one of the prominent landowners, the Chu family. In the past, the land in the village was categorized into government-owned and privately-owned properties. All houses were connected wooden structures, with winding paths providing ideal hiding spots for children playing hide-and-seek. In the past, residents from Batu Bakar village had to pass through Chu Ward Village to reach the Chi Wen School in the Bahau city area.

According to Huang Jinrong(黄锦荣), besides the vivid memories among the older residents, the younger generation might not be aware that there was once an association called Dong'an Association in Bahau Chu Ward Village, which has been lost in the flow of time.

The glory of the past has faded, leaving a 3-

acre small village now filled with both perseverance and nostalgia. In the 1970s, Chu Ward Village faced rapid urban development due to its prime location, close to main roads and within the city area. Gradually, plans were made to demolish parts of the village and replace them with shops, housing estates, and new houses, leading to increasing commercialization around Chu Ward. While most villagers have retired, their grandchildren are still pursuing education, making their lives comfortable and content in the village. Despite some villagers' children having bought new houses in nearby housing estates, they are reluctant to move away from the village, as they are accustomed to the environment, and the city area is conveniently accessible for dining and shopping, with motorcycles becoming an essential mode of transport for them. However, some villagers mentioned that due to soaring property prices, they cannot afford to purchase houses elsewhere, leaving them no choice but to stay within the village.

Chu Ward Village was only formally established in 1982 when State Assemblyman Zhou Futai lobbied the state government to recognize it as a new village, which would entitle the village to receive funds for infrastructure improvements and developments. As early as the 1940s, residents were living in Chu Ward, which

was then privately owned by the Chu(朱), Wanhe（万和）, Cai Gui（蔡贵）, and Wen Guan Sheng（温观胜） families. Huang Jiping (黄机平)served as the first village head in the 1980s, followed by Chu Hongqing(朱鸿庆), Lin Jinlin（林金麟）, and the current village head, Huang Jinrong（黄锦荣） (son of the first village head, Huang Jiping).

Chu Ward falls within the Bahau state constituency, while Batu Bakar and Kampong Indah belong to the Rompin state constituency. As a result, State Assemblyman Zhou Futai (周福泰)assisted in the recognition of Chu Ward as a new village and carried out reorganization work to improve the village's roads and infrastructure.

Recalling the past scenery of Chu Ward Village, what is now known as the Bahau Beautiful Garden Apartments, Bahau Wan Shun Shopping Center, Dongfang Garden, Bahu Public Bus Terminal, the commercial area adjacent to Bahau Chi Wen School, Bahau Public Taxi Station, Bahau Methodist Church, Bahau City Hall Auditorium, and Dato' Tang Xianqin Road(邓贤钦路), were once part of Chu Ward Village. However, as the city continued to develop, these areas were subsequently separated from the boundaries of Chu Ward Village.

Nonetheless, the forced eviction incident in Chu Ward caused quite a stir nationwide, and the villagers who were compelled to leave still owe a sum of legal fees. After the land was acquired, it was not fully developed, resulting in a derelict village with many abandoned houses, negatively impacting the environment.