By Assoc Prof Nor Zalina Harun
TRADITIONAL settlements contain an abundance of cultural, economic and natural treasures where social sustainability is given great consideration since time immemorial.
This is also a place where values that underpin the nation’s civilisation are preserved. Let us use the traditional settlements of Kampung Pulau Duyong and Kampung Losong in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu as case study.
In this article, we will elaborate on the social infrastructure which enables and preserves the community’s social sustainability. In 2019, PlanMalaysia ranked the community in the Kuala Terengganu district as the happiest in Malaysia. This survey measures a variety of indicators, including safety, health, accessibility and comfort.
The settlements of Kampung Pulau Duyong and Kampung Losong are located on the waterfront area. It has existed for hundreds of years and known as a port town for a long time.
According to its residents, it was once a lovely village surrounded by crystal clear water, as if you were living in a resort island. The swamp, located not far from Pulau Duyong Besar’s main entrance, is a depth where fishermen look for bait and a habitat for shrimp.
Additionally, Kampung Pulau Duyong is well known as a central hub for lead craftsmen and shipbuilders. This village’s shipbuilding technology is renowned throughout the world. Numerous sailors and technologists visit Pulau Duyong to explore and study their craftmanship. Currently, there are approximately five remaining craftsmen.
Over 40% of the villagers work as fishermen or engage in some form of fishing activities. The remainder are self-employed, retirees and Government employees. The village is surrounded by small and medium-sized houses. The original construction, which is mostly built-in wood, has been preserved. Their architecture is pretty straightforward, embracing minimalism. The inhabitants are modest as well.
Likewise, for Kampung Losong. It is well-known as a fishing village. Apart from that, this area is also well-known for its keropok lekor, or fish sausage industry. Here, you can sample a variety of keropok lekor using many types of fish, to the delight of your tastebuds.
The keropok lekor business paved the way for the growth of other food businesses at the area. Beginning with keropok lekor, many residents have developed a taste for baking bread and cakes. Kampung Losong is an absolute must-see for visitors to Kuala Terengganu.
Happiest people in Malaysia
Additionally, Kampung Losong is also home to the Terengganu State Museum complex. Standing majestically atop a hill, the structure is brimming with historical artefacts and the glory of the state and Malaysia in general. Along with the museum structure, the complex contains architectural and maritime treasures. Both are a source of pride for the residents.
In 2018, we conducted a study, examining the types and capabilities of public infrastructure that contribute to the well-being and happiness of residents in both villages from an architectural standpoint.
We discovered over a dozen public infrastructure and social spaces scattered throughout the village. Numerous public spaces have been developed around the surau, wakaf, football field, jetty, stalls and courtyards. Regardless of age, every public space is utilised and well-stocked.
Occasionally, particularly early in the morning, the benches beneath the bridge are crowded with middle-aged men. Every once in a while, younger folks stopped by to chat with older adults and bowed their heads. Similarly, residents will congregate in small stalls while sipping coffee if they are not going back to the ocean to catch fish.
Now and then, laughter breaks the morning silence as young people head to work in Kuala Terengganu.
Did you presume that mothers and the ladies there do not interact? Think again as they have a shared space too. They usually congregate on the outskirts of the primary residence, the kitchen yard or on the side of the house.
In the evenings, you can easily find them gathered around the small jetty area, taking in the cool breeze and flowing water of Sungai Terengganu. They gather with similar-aged neighbours or family members. Do appreciate the delectability of the side dishes prepared by the neighbours.
Unlike city dwellers, they do not live-in terrace houses and share their roofs and walls. Likewise, they do not share ceilings and walls like those of us who live in apartments do. Their residences are slightly further apart. However, they were acquainted with their neighbours’ children and grandchildren.
They may prepare no more than one dish per day. However, by sharing their sustenance with neighbours, one type of dish can be multiplied into three. They have been doing this for generations.
This is unlike how we live in cities, where even though we may share the same roof and flooring, we are oblivious to each other’s plight.
This is the story of the villages of Pulau Duyong and Kampung Losong, the traditional village with the country’s happiest residents. They etched smiles and verbal friendliness into their faces; such actions indicate that they are indeed happy.
Vested interests damaging ancient ways
The sky, on the other hand, is not always clear. After nearly two years of research, in less than a year, significant physical changes appeared in Kampung Pulau Duyong, not far from the river mouth and the swamp area where residents seek sustenance and collect fish bait is a large-scale reclamation project.
As time passed, larger areas of the river area are getting reclaimed. When I enquired about it, the residents remained silent. According them, they had never been informed of the project’s purpose.
The estuary’s water is becoming murky. The same holds true for the area directly in front of the jetty row. Then again, there are sand mining and other reclamation projects. When asked, we received similar reactions.
Residents were never notified or regarded. They are simply fishermen and ordinary citizens who have never been recognised or educated about the violation of their human rights.
Despite that, they were still capable of carving a smile. Nevertheless, there was a wave of grief.
The same situation is affecting Kampung Losong. Their proximity to Kuala Terengganu exposes them to urbanisation’s reach. I am fairly certain they do not wish to live in the circumstance of the Kampung Tanjung community.
The residents of Kampung Tanjung used to live in a quaint and cheerful water village. Residents, however, have been relocated to affordable terrace houses and apartments, away in Gong Badak.
Have you ever considered what it would be like for a fisherman or a coppersmith to live in a flat? Is it possible for them to laugh? Even now, they struggle to carve a smile.
The question is how long will the community in many traditional villages throughout the country continue to be happy? And how long will certain parties continue building joy and wealth at the expense of others’ pain and misery?
This country and its people are quite unique. When they are oppressed, they rarely demonstrate their frustrations. When their immediate environment was infiltrated, they simply remained silent with a somber face. They coexist in their anguish and sadness. They have a difficult time complaining too.
This people are virtuous and they have the right to be happy. Put an end to encroaching on others’ happy spaces simply because your happiness is achieved at the expense of the suffering of helpless community. – July 10, 2021.
Assoc Prof Nor Zalina Harun is a senior research fellow at the Institute of the Malay World and Civilization, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
