Collaboration Project
Petaling Street Community Art Project
(PSCAP)
PSCAP was a collaborative effort by a coalition of grassroot art and activist communities, who were coming from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, to employ art strategies as a form of resistance to the controversial land expropriation at the Petaling Street to carve way for the massive Mass Railway Transit (MRT) project and other related urban regeneration plans at an unprecedented scale.
This community project was jointly managed by an ad-hoc committee of PSCAP which consisted of Lostgens’, affected land/property owners, Local Chinese associations, engineers, lawyers, activists and the art communities.
The area most affected was Jalan Sultan which has a deep connection to the early history of Chinese migrants in Kuala Lumpur. It is also rich in culture and heritage where it hosted the city’s first Gospel Hall (since 1898), drama association Yan Keng Benevolent (since 1917), the last Cantonese tea house Restaurant Yook Woo Hin (since 1928, closed), one of the oldest photo studios in the city Pak Tai Photo Studio (since 1940s, closed) and many other old hotels, restaurants, schools, traditional businesses etc.
All these heritage sites were facing the imminent risk of demolition with the MRT construction site encroaching from Petaling Street (Jalan Sultan) all the way up to the Petaling Hill where a proposed second MRT station will be built beneath a 118-storey skyscraper. These colossal constructions would also severely affect the three nearby pre-independence sport facilities namely the Chin Woo Stadium (since 1953), Stadium Merdeka (since 1956) and Merdeka park (since 1958).
And the approaching impact brought by the large-scale gentrification and commercialization will also slowly destroy the fabric of historical environment and cultural values that are deep-rooted in Petaling Street. The disappearance of the old streets is also eliminating the sense of identity and collective memories especially to the local Chinese community.
Project Founders
Yeoh Lian Heng
Chong Keat Aun
Tang Ah Chai
Teoh Chee Keong
Committee
Project Director
Yeoh Lian Heng
Deputy Director
Chong Keat Aun
Team Members
Chai Chik Ying, Gan Sze Hooi , Lam Tsu Jiun，Leong Lih Sy, Low Khay Hooi, See Yee Wen & Wong Siew Juan
Acknowledgement
Ahmad Faizal • Alex Lee • Amir Jaafar Bakry • Benz Ali • Cikgu Haji Ishak Surin • Dinsman • Fiona Yen • Foo Wei Meng • Haji Buyong Manap • Hajjah Zabedah Abd. Manab • Hajjah Latipah Rahmat • Hamdi Aziz • Hishamuddin Rais • Hoe Sheau Fei • Irwan Baharuddin • Ismail Othman • Jeffrey Lum • Jimmy Chok • Kassim Mohamad • Khairul Hamidi • Khairul Salleh Ishak • Khairunas • Lee Bing Hong • Liew Kung Yu • Lim Kok Hong • Ngeow Chow Ying • Pushpalila • Pyan Habib • Rahmat Haron • Shaharuddin Mahmud • Sister Lina • Soleh • Stanley Yap • Sufian Suhaimi • Suhaidi Sulaiman • Tan Chee Hon • Tarmizi Mat Jam • Wesley Wong • YB Fong Kui Lun • Yee I-Lann • Yew Kuan Yee • Zaidi Jaafar Bakry• Zaid Jaafar Bakry • Zupfadli Suhaimi • 星羽
Institutions & Partners
Findars Collective • Hotel Lok Ann • Kuala Lumpur Gospel Hall • Kuala Lumpur Gospel Hall Teen Fellowship • Kampung Bandar Dalam • Kampung Railway • KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) • Kumpulan Kompang Silaturahim • Life S.O.A.R Resource Centre • Madrasah Tarbiyah • Majlis Permuafakatan Perkampungan Melayu Tradisi Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (MUAFAKAT) • Pemuda Madrasah Tarbiyah • Seniman Paksi Rakyat (PAKSI) • Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association
Events + Activities
The first event under the PSCAP was meaningfully organized on Malaysia Day, 16 Sept 2011 called “Tanglong Festival” which consisted of community heritage tour and sketching exhibitions at the Lok Ann Hotel (now already closed down) during the day time while handfuls of performing arts performances during the evening. This event would kickstart a long campaign to continuously raise more public awareness to the issue.
In 2012, on the 01 Feb, in conjunction of the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Day and one year anniversary since the expropriation crisis has started, with the participation of the interracial communities whose villages were also threatened by the urban redevelopment, together with the committee of PSCAP, a cultural heritage tour was held to walk 3KM along the streets affected by the MRT projects. With the participation of the Malay community from Kampung Banda Dalam and the Indian community from Kampung Railway, PSCAP started to gain national media attention and was no longer a local Chinese affair.
Two weeks later, a massive street-art protest “Light A Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan” was held on the evening of 23 Feb along the whole Jalan Panggung (next to Jalan Sultan, the affected MRT acquisition area), participatory art and performing art performances were programmed non-stop for four hours which completely paralyzed the traffic and attracted over five thousand visitors. This cultural action caught the raving attention of the local media and created much pressure on the then ruling government where the former Prime Minister Najib Razak later announced Jalan Sultan to be kept as a cultural heritage site.
Despite the PM declaration and many public consultation sessions initiated by the MRT Corp to resolve the matter, they were mere pre-election promises and PR exercises as it did not stop the MRT project from progressing. The community protest would continue sporadically by self-organized art initiatives for another year but the battle was lost when during General Election 2013 where the ruling government failed to secure the two-third majority in Parliament, the land expropriation process became even more hasty and aggressive as many land/property owners were now been harassed, forced to sign compromising agreements and to be appropriated immediately. With the fading support from the local business community in the later stage of the movement, the PSCAP committee had reached mutual consensus to disband, which ended the three-year battle.
PSCAP has since become a project model especially for other grass-root communities who are facing similar issues as a strategy for community activation and social empowerment. The PSCAP working space at Jalan Panggung, which was also used as an activity and meeting space, was permanently taken by Lostgens’ to convert into an art space until today. As part of the PSCAP impacts, the building now hosts a number of other cultural spaces such as Moutou, Raw Art Space, Aku Café etc. which forms a unique alternative art cluster in the city.
Tanglong Festival 2011
Perayaan Tanglong Jalan Petaling
Initiated by the Petaling Street Community Art Project (PSCAP) with the support of the Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) and jointly curated by public intellectual Tang Ah Chai, folk archeologist Chong Keat Aun, heritage preservationist Teoh Chee Keong and community art curator Yeoh Lian Heng, the Perayaan Tanglong Jalan Petaling was the first program to kick off the PSCAP organised on the Malaysia Day celebration 16 September 2011.
It aims to revive the recognition of the Petaling Street culture by the community’s old and new residents. At the same time, it also brings in the public to participate, understand and experience this century-old living monument in the heart of Kuala Lumpur through in-depth guided tours and arts presentations.
This event attracted over a thousand visitors and kicked started the whole community art project campaign.
Festival Activities:
- Petaling Street Cultural Tour
- Petaling Street Mapping and Model Exhibition, by primary school students.
- Old Photo Exhibition at various landmarks in Jalan Sultan
- Tanglong Parade around Petaling Street with site specific art performances from over 17 participating groups which include students of ASWARA, students of New Era University College, Nyoba-Kan Butoh Dance Theatre, Dua Space Dance Company, Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association, Art Baiduren, contemporary music composer Yii Kah Hoe and many other prominent performing artists. The performances varied from traditional dances to multimedia projections but all expressed in unison of their nostalgic yet worrying sentiments towards the fading old streets.
Curator Team:
Chong Keat Aun, Yeoh Lian Heng, Tang Ah Chai & Teoh Chee Keong
Organizer: Selangor & KL Chinese Assembly Hall
Co-organizers: Gospel Hall, Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association, Guan Di Temple, Hotel Lok Ann & Old China Cafe
Designer: Chai Chik Ying
Participated Artists/ Performers:
– Art Baiduren Studio: Low Khay Hooi & Wong Siew Jiuan
– Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association
– Soprano artist : Ang Mee Fong + 卓如燕
– Tenor artist: 林清福 + 岑大偉
– Music Composer : Yii Kah Hoe
– The Chinese Accent Team: Chong Keat Aun
– Guqin artist: Leong Hao Yen
– Hakka Folk Singer: 丘惠中
– Singer: Yudi Yap
– Theatre team: Dua Space Dance Theatre
– Theatre team: 黃愛明教授 & Aswara students
– Video art: New Era University College students
– Butoh: Nyoba-Kan Butoh Dance Theatre
– Malaysian Cross-Talk Association
– Performance Artist (Stamping Project) : Liew Teck Leong
Photo Credits: Art Baiduren, Vitness, www.jadibatek.com
Special Thanks to: Chong Kim Chiew
Art Workshops
Performance Art (Stampping Project)
Old Photo On-Site Exhibition
Night Performances & Parade
Light A Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan 2012
Light A Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan was held on the 05 February 2012, in conjunction with the Chap Goh Meh celebration where the public were mobilized to attend various site-specific arts and cultural activities in Petaling Street. The public were also encouraged to attend by bringing their own lanterns as a symbolic gesture to light up and bless the heritage streets. The evening before the event, taking the flash mob approach, with the help of many designers and volunteers, the entire Jalan Sultan was decorated with bright coloured hand drawn banners, signages, stickers and graffiti to convey the message of strong disapproval of the Mass Railway Transit project and how it will destroy the livelihood of the heritage of Jalan Sultan.
The project was participated by representatives and members from Kumpulan Kompang Silaturahim (Pemuda Madrasah Tarbiyah Kampung Bandar Dalam), Kuala Lumpur Gospel Hall, Archdiocesan Chinese Language Apostolate Commission KL, Persatuan Penganut Buddha Bodhi Kuala Lumpur and Anak Jati Kuala Lumpur.
The site-specific performances were participated by Nyoba-Kan Butoh Dance Company, theatre director Soon Choon Mee, Boyz Chew and Leow Zyee (drum percussionists), calligraphy demonstration Pang, Lantern installation by German artist Astrid Koeppe, percussion performance by students from Confucian Private Secondary School, theatre performances by New Era College Visual and Drama Department, Han Shou Tang Lion Dance Troupe and many more.
Attended by over 1000 spectators, this event managed to disrupt the normal routine of the Petaling Street and highlighted the underlying tension and issues faced by the old street community. The experience collaborating with various stakeholders and partners also carved an important path for future cooperation.
The program was divided into three segments where the crowd would gather and move together as part of the curated movements and collective experience.
Light with Blessing (8:00 – 9:00pm)
Basketball Court next to Chin Woo Stadium
Light with Arts (9:00 – 9:45pm)
Various sites in Petaling Street
Light with Performance (9:45pm – 12:00am)
Old site of Chik Shin Tong, Jalan Sultan
*outdoor car park next to KL Commercial Book Co.
Special thanks to all artists, volunteers and partners who contributed in making this event happened*
Photo Credits: Jeffrey Lum & Tan Chee Hon
Jelajah Warisan
On the 1st February 2012, in conjunction of the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Day, the first Save Jalan Sultan, Save Heritage peaceful demonstration happened at Jalan Sultan, conjointly by a crowd of heritage preservation public individuals, activists and representatives .
Following on 18th March 2012, exactly one year anniversary since the massive land expropriation crisis started, a cultural heritage tour –
Jelajah Warisan: Pertahankan Warisan Kita was organized as an expedition to meet the affected local communities and to learn more about the histories, cultures and traditions of the varnishing heritage sites in Kuala Lumpur due to the mushrooming mega projects and poor urban planning. The tour started in the morning with two buses departing from Jalan Sultan and Kampung Banda Dalam respectively heading to the first site at the Kampung Kerinchi where Cikgu Ishak Surin, the president of Pertubuhan Pertahankan Tanah Warisan Kita and also the village chief of Kampung Banda Dalam (KBD) whose village also shared the similar threat with urban redevelopment, gave a welcoming speech to all the participants who mainly comprised of activists, artists, media, students etc.
Organised under the Majlis Permuafakatan Perkampungan Warisan Melayu Wilayah Persekutuan (MUAFAKAT) in collaboration with Petaling Street Community Art Project (PSCAP), the tour was designed to visit five strategic heritage sites within Kuala Lumpur which are all facing the imminent risks of being demolished. The chosen sites were 150-year-old Kampung Banda Dalam, 50-year old Kampung Kerinchi, 120-year-old Jalan Sultan, 110-year-old Kampung Baru and 110-year-old Mee Thor Gan Temple in Ampang.
At Kampung Kerinchi the tour met up with representatives of the remaining 35 families who refused to move out from their village to defend their homes. The tour continued to Jalan Sultan where they were greeted by the traditional Malay Kompang performance from the youth of KBD. At Jalan Sultan, the tour was welcomed by the PSCAP members who led them to visit and meet the local communities from the Hotel Lok Ann, Pak Tai Photo Studio, Kwong Fook Wing Tailor Shop and Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association. The tour then proceeded to Kampung Baru, the only remaining Malay settlement in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, where they were greeted by some members from the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). The tour reached the final destination at the Mee Thor Gan Temple in Ampang where Cikgu Ishak Surin not only visited the temple but also performed a prayer (doa) inside the temple together with a monk.
This was a symbolic gesture of showing liberalism and pluralism in the context of Islam. During the tour, Cikgu Ishak also announced the establishment of a new collective called “Pertahankan Warisan Kita” which consisted of 21 nationwide non-governmental organizations to defend and preserve heritage sites in the country. This announcement gained national media attention and the struggle of PSCAP was no longer a local Chinese affair but a collective effort from all Malaysians.
Special Thanks to:
Madrasah Tarbiyah Kampung Bandar Dalam, Kampung Kerinchi Flat Committee and Residents, Kampung Baru, Mee Thor Gan Buddhist Temple
In recent years, the living space of many cultural historical sites in Malaysia have been threatened by urban development projects, and communities and buildings with precious historical value are gradually disappearing. These historical sites that face the crisis of disappearance include:
i. Kampung Banda Dalam, Gombak – A Malay village with a history of 150 years
ii. Kampong Baru – A Malay village established in 1900
iii. Kampung Railway – A train track village established by Indian workers from Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) 120 years ago
iv. Jalan Petaling, Jalan Sultan, Chan Shi Shu Yuen Clan Association, Jalan Tun H.S.Lee, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin and Medan Pasar where there are multi-racial living communities. These areas are having significant centuries year-old architectures and community living memory spanning 150 years in Kuala Lumpur.
On April 2012, taken together the collective understanding and same value appreciation, PSCAP, committee members who represent these affected heritage sites, multi racial religion leaders and villagers jointly proposed a memorandum of preserving these living historical sites to Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) . The memorandum main aim is to gazette these sites as “National Heritage Areas” to preserve the tangible and intangible values of these community for public appreciation instead of being destructed by the rapid urban development.
Jalan Sultan
Kampung Kerinchi
Kg. Banda Dalam + Kg. Baru
Mee Thor Gan Buddhist Temple
Save Jalan Sultan . Save Heritage
On 05 May 2012, another peaceful demonstration took place along Jalan Sultan to protest against the demolition of three historical buildings situated along Jalan Sultan carried out by the My Rapid Transit (MRT) project despite previously the then Prime Minister Najib Razak had promised to preserve Jalan Sultan as a heritage site. The demonstration was staged at the Klang Bus Stand, UDA Ocean and Plaza Warisan by an estimated 2500 people which was mobilized by various NGO and activist groups including the Petaling Street Community Art Project committee.
Rasa Sayang Jalan Sultan Album
Rasa Sayang Jalan Sultan is a collaborative music album that was launched on 30 June 2012 at the Gospel Hall Basketball Court to mark the one-year anniversary of the Petaling Street Community Art Project as part of the continuing campaign to save heritage landmarks in Kuala Lumpur.
The album Rasa Sayang Jalan Sultan consists of 12 newly composed songs which were performed by over 100 interdisciplinary and intercultural Malaysians artists during the launch. The main theme song “Rasa Sayang Jalan Sultan” is a collaborative and contemporary rendition from one of the most famous Malay Archipelago folk songs “Rasa Sayang” which is widely known and sung by most Malaysians.
The album launch was accompanied by the premiere screening of a music video which was entirely shot along Jalan Sultan featuring the affected community, their voices and the unique soundscape of the old streets. The album is still available at the KL Commercial Book at Jalan Sultan.
【Rasa Sayang Jalan Sultan】
Production：PSCAP & Lost Generation Space
Producer：Chong Keat Aun • Abot
Curator：Yeoh Lian Heng
Designer：Chai Chik Ying
Studio Sponsors：Mo Sound • 大音希聲• Tutti Recording Studios • Star Mount Studio • Mobi Music
Sound Mix • Post Production：Abot (Mo Sound)
Featured Photography：Kim Teoh
Photography：Jeffrey Lum• Calvin Yew• David Ngui• Ke Bi Qi• Choong Fai• Zen Kee • Jesse Yap • Stanley Chuah• Angus Yap
Support： KL Commercial Book Co.
Video Resource: Chong Keat Aun
https://youtu.be/AwuC2RO1Pp4
Architectural Drawing & Mapping
Taiwan Chung Yuan Christian University (Architecture Dept)
A group of architecture students from Taiwan were joining PSCAP for the historical sites mapping project during their on-site practical case study exchange program in July 2012. This mapping project covered the scale of Jalan Sultan, Jalan Panggung and Lorong Panggung which were the most affected area of MRT plan. The students were first guided for a tour around Petaling Street in getting to know the site history and background.The team was then began to documenting the shophouses along Jalan Sultan, as well as recording the building architectural structures at few significant targeted sites. The project includes photography of each Jalan Sultan shophouse and joining them as a horizontal map, drawing and sketching historical landmarks and calculating and drawing the actual building architecture plans. This project went on for approximately one month and the collective mapping content was completed and released during the 916 A Century of Moonlight Petaling Street Community festival, 2012.
Chung Yuan Christian University (Architecture Dept)
Taiwan Students:
Oscar Kai-lin Lin • Chien-chih Lai • Debbie Yu Ting Liao •
Lin Yi Chun • Mumu Lime • Susu Huang • Yu-cheng Chen •
陳建銘 • 郭惠儀 • 黃伃萱 • 劉岳齊 • 嚴挺軒
UCSI University (Architecture Dept) Malaysia Student:
Kong Kin Hang
Lecturer & Conductor
Teoh Chee Keong • Tsuji Lam • Yeoh Lian Heng
Facilitators
Chai Chik Ying • Sheau Fei • Alex Lee • Gan Sze Hooi
Venue:
Pak Tai Photo Studio • Gurdwara Sahib Jalan Balai Polis •
KL Gospel Hall • Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association •
Lorong Panggong – 漢壽堂 • 源聚 • 何九茶室 •
Special Thanks to:
Ah Boy (Lorong Panggung)
All participated Jalan Sultan +
Lorong Panggung Heritage Partners
Merdeka Fest 2012 : Goodbye KL
The aim is to draw attention to the unique historical and cultural landscape in the area and the need to cherish our common heritage.
There are many events lined up: stay at Hotel Lok Ann; last food order at Yook Hoo Hin Restaurant (the last traditional Chinese Dim Sum restaurant in Petaling Street area) ; informative talks and forums; food and architectural walks; film and video screenings; art and creative documentation; music and performances; cycling etc.
These events hope to invite people and tourist back to enjoy the city before more memorable heritage buildings and places disappear in the name of development. This event is a goodbye as well as a plea to protect our much loved and also, time-worn parts of KL – especially Tunku Park (demolished), Chin Woo Stadium, Merdeka Stadium, Stadium Negara, parts of Jalan Sultan/ Jalan Petaling/ Jalan Tun HS Lee/ Jalan Hang Kasturi/ Jalan Hang Jebat.
(Text Resource: Merdeka Fest 12′ Facebook Event Info)
31 Aug & 1 Sept 2012
All activities start or end at (unless stated otherwise):
51, Jalan Sultan
7:30am or at your own time
Cycling tour around historical and cultural sites
Cyclist groups can start anywhere, touring around historical and cultural spots and taking pictures along the way before finally congregating at, 51 Jalan Sultan (at your own time)
9:30 am – 1:30pm
Urban sketch artists/artists/photographers documenting around the old city streets
Well-known artist Long Thien Shih and Victor Chin will brief and conduct this session. All the artworks and photographs will later be exhibited and followed by a group discussion.
9:30am – 12:00pm
History & Heritage Tour | Language: Chinese (Fri & Sat), English (Sat)
A guided walking tour around the heart of Kuala Lumpur, a rare occasion to explore and learn about its historical and cultural sites, buildings and fragments.
Heritage Sites Open House | Language: Chinese & English
An interactive sharing through photos and guided walking tour around the century-old historical and cultural sites and buildings.
- Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association – Founded in 1920. One of the oldest art and cultural centres in Kuala Lumpur. Formed as a charitable organisation to raise money for charity through Chinese opera and choral singing.
- KL Gospel Hall －A Brethren church founded in 1889. As a pivotal education centre initiated by Mr. Too Nan, the teacher of Dr Sun Yat-Sen since 1890. Today, it continues to provide service to 20 various education and charitable bodies.
- Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association – Founded in 1896. Served as a community base for families with the Chan, Chen, Chin, Tan ancestry. The building is one of the fine examples of Chinese temple architecture, decorated with vigorously carved figurines and wall panels depicting Chinese mythology and history.
31 Aug 2012
12:00 – 1:00pm
A gastronomic farewell to Yook Woo Hin Restaurant
This well known establishment, almost 100 years old, will close for good after 31 Aug. Venue: 100A, Jalan Petaling
1:15pm – 1:45pm
Past, present & what’s ahead of the community?
Talk & Dialogue with YB Fong (MP of Bukit Bintang)
2:00pm –3:00pm
How does the local government actually work in approving development projects?
Talk & dialogue with Mak Khuin Weng (Ex-MBPJ councillor, Ex-Journalist with The Star newspaper and now with the on-line newspaper, The Nut Graph)
Moderator: Ngeow Chow Ying
3:00pm – 4.15pm
“A Forgotten Public History of Petaling Hill: Stadiums, Parks and Communities”
A talk (Chinese) and tour by Lai Chee Kien PhD
Moderator: Ngeow Chow Ying
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Film screening: Ibu Ayam (1962)
Introduction and discussion by Amir Muhammad, author of 120 Malay Movies, an independent filmmaker, writer and a publisher of Malaysian and regional historical and cultural interest.
4:30pm – 6:30 pm
Open mic with artists, photographers, and visitors
to exchange ideas about their experiences and memories of the city.
Conducted by artists Long Thien Shih and Victor Chin
8:00pm – 10:00 pm
Arts & cultural performances
Coordinated by Yeoh. Artists includes Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association Choir Group, Rahmat Haron, Long Thien Shih, The Vanilla Boys & Girls, Drum Circle, Hassan Peter & Markiza, Carlos Llavata, Yudi Yap, Stefano Chen etc.
1 Sept 2012
2:00pm – 3:15pm
“A Forgotten Public History of Petaling Hill: Stadiums, Parks and Communities”
A talk (English) and tour by Lai Chee Kien PhD
3:30pm – 4:30pm
“Land Acquisition and Development in KL”
A talk and dialogue (English) by Ong Kian Meng PhD, Lecturer and Political Analyst, UCSI University
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Film screening: The Big Durian (2003)
Introduced by the director Amir Muhammad
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open mic with artists, photographers, and visitors
to exchange ideas about their experiences and memories of the city.
Conducted by Ngeow Chow Ying and Victor Chin
6:30pm – 7:00pm
Closing remarks with all participants and organizers
Gotong Royong Day
*The idea of Gotong Royong is sharing of burdens between the member of community.
On the 09 September 2012, as part of the Petaling Street Community Art Project, a Gotong-Royong Day was organised with the support from the KL City Council (DBKL), Alam Flora, Persatuan Penjaja & Peniaga Kecil Kuala Lumpur, KL Gospel Hall, schools, shops and community members to collectively clean up the heritage streets (Jalan Hang Lekir, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Sultan, Jalan Hang Jebat and Lorong Hang Jebat).
This participatory community program allowed the participants and various stakeholders to get to know each other better and recognize the shared responsibility of the Petaling Street preservation. It was also a worthwhile effort to rekindle the community identity in order to create a safer and cleaner community for everyone. And it also aimed to raise awareness in the public on improving the health and cleanliness issue in cultural heritage sites. Furthermore, the program also hopes to revive the culture of Gotong-Royong which is evidently fading especially in the urban area among the younger generation.
Special Thanks to
Oloiya + 3nity + all participants in this event
916 A Century of Moonlight
In conjunction of the Malaysia Day on the 16 September 2012, PSCAP continued with the artivism campaign to organise a community art event called A Century of Moonlight in Petaling Street.
The event had yet again managed to pull in a large crowd which rejuvenated the old streets and reminded everyone that the struggle to protect Petaling Street must continue with consistent participation and support from all stakeholders and the members of the public.
Date: 16 September 2012
Time: 8am – 11pm
Venue:
Program 1 – Tour : Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association
Program 2 -PSCAP Space Launch : 8C, Jalan Panggung (3rd floor)
Program 3 – Classic Cultural Performances : Chan She Shu Yuan
Program 4 – Moon Walk: old site of Chik Shin Tong, Jalan Sultan
Organizer: Petaling Street Community Art Project
Co-organizers:
KL Hawkers and Petty Traders Association
KL Gospel Hall
Life S-O-A-R Resources Centre
Selangor & KL Wui Leng Association
Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association
3nity Design
Sponsors:
Oloiya
Hotel Lok Ann
Kim Lian Kee Restaurant
Supported by:
Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association
Special Thanks to:
The great team of volunteer who participated in this event
916 A Century of Moonlight Program List
Program 1:
Heritage & Food Trails
Discover the unique history, food & cultures of Petaling Street Community through interactive sharing and guided walking tour. Heritage sites open house with unique stamps collection.
5 Tours:
Religion & Culture (Mandarin) – Tang Ah Chai
Building & Culture (English) – Teoh Chee Keong
Food & Old Stories (Mandarin) – Toh Chin Hong
History & Community(Mandarin) – Hew Kuan Yee
Children Sketching Tour (Mandarin) – Law Khay Hooi & Gan Sze Hooi
Petaling Hill Community & Old Stories (English) – Jayanath
Time: 8am – 12pm Fees: RM30
Meeting Point: 51, Sultan Street (Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association)
Program 2:
PSCAP Space Launching
With the generous support of various stakeholders, a working space had been allocated for the PSCAP committee members to use for regular project planning and community meetings. The space is strategically located at Jalan Panggong, an intersection of Jalan Sultan and directly facing the newly proposed MRT station.
Venue: 8C, Jalan Panggung (3rd floor), 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Time: 4:30pm – 5.30pm
Program 3:
Classic Cultural Performances
Hosted at the historic Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association, a series of hand puppet and operatic singing shows were performed by Kim Gaik Lou Chun Teow Chew Puppet Troupe and Persatuan Peminat Seni Opera Kantonis Tsang Fei (Petaling Jaya).
Venue: Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association (No.172, Jalan Petaling)
Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm
Program 4:
Moon Walk • Old Streets
A curated site specific performances showcasing arts and cultural performances by various artists and cultural institutions. Some notable mentions are: Choral Singing (Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association), Butoh dance (Lee Swee Keong, Nyoba-Kan Butoh Dance Company), Singing (Yudi Yap & Yuan Leow Yunn), Buddhist Singing (The Bodhi Association), Kompang (Kampung Banda Dalam), Poetry Reading (Seniman Paksi Rakyat @ PAKSI), Indian Drumming (Kampung Railway Sentul), Sikh Music Performance (The Dholiz), Music Performance “Sayangi Jalan Lama” (Mobeat), Percussion Performances (Hands Percussion Malaysia), Lion & Dragon Dance Performances by various troupes and many more.
Assembly Point: The relics of Chik Shin Tong, Jalan Sultan
Time: 7:30pm – 11pm
Tour:
1. Hew Kuan Yee
2. Toh Chin Hong
3. Mr. Jayananth
Cultural Performances:
1. Kim Gaik Lou Chun Teow Chew Puppet Show
2. Classic Cantonese operatic singing – Persatuan Peminat Seni Opera Kantonis Tsang Fei PJ, Selangor
Night Performances:
1. Choral Singing－Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association
2. Nyoba-Kan Butoh Dance －Lee Swee Keong
3. Singing Performance － Yudi Yap & Yuan Leow Yunn
4. Singing Performance －The Bodhi Association
5. Kompang － Kampung Banda Dalam
6. Malay Poetry Reading – PAKSI
7. Indian Gendang – Kampung Railway, Sentul
8. Sikh Music Performance – The Dholiz
9. Lion & Dragon Performances:
– Dragon Art Association Seremban N.S Malaysia
– Han Shou Tang Lion Dance
– Heng Kok Lion Dance
– Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association
– Malaysia《Xuan Long》(Wei Wu Wu Jia) Dragon & Lion Dance Association
– Malaysia Johor Dragon & Lion Dance Sport Association
– Meng Wei Chinese Cultural Centre
– Persatuan Bekas Pasukan Keselamatan Negara Malaysia Cawagan Mantin Ng. Sembilan
– Pusat Tarian Singa Hong Wu
10. The Classic Accent Team －Chong Keat Aun, Leong Hao Yen
11. Singing Performance ‘Sayangilah Jalan Lama’ － Mobeat
12. Singing Performance －‘Petaling Street’ & ‘That year, Grandpa on South China Sea’ Soprano by Ang Mei Foong
13. Music performances – KC Loo & Yow
14. Choral Singing – Selangor & KL Wui Leng Association
15. Music performances – Hands Percussion Malaysia
16. ‘Love’, Singing Performance – 基督徒團契劇場
Photo Credits: Chee Shyan, Gary, Wen Hong
Volunteers:
Adrian Yeo, Agnes Leong, Alex Lee, Amy Leh, Chai Won Jie, Chee Shyan, Chee Yung Chen, Chien Fuei, Chi Keong, Chor Chee Hoe, Chow Kang June, Felicia Foong, Gary, Grace Lee, Hwei Ching, Jed Tin , Jenathen Foo, Jessica Foong, Isaac Goh, Khar Theng, Kuok Chieng, Lau Kok Khong, Lik Kjun Hock, Lim Chong Leng, Lim Kai Jian, Lip Yeong, Low Kai Xian, Lydia Loh, Mei Ching, Melody Leong, Moses Tang, Noello Lim En Le, Rachel Yap, Rebecca Leong, Rizz Ho, ShiHey, Siu Li, Stephen Liew Jui Siong, Sze Hou, Tan Soon Chern, Tee Seng, Tracy, Tuo Tai Soon , Tzyy Leon, Vincy How, Wee Lun, Wen Hong, Winston Poh, Wong Mi Shan, Xin Yi, Yan Hoe, Yu Xuan, Yun Chun and many more…..
Life Drawing
Culture & Heritage Tour
PSCAP Space Launch
Performances
Moving Great Wall
118 Towers for WHO?
Flash Mob Jalan Sultan
Photo Credits: Liew Chee Heai & Tan Chee Hon
Artivism + Guerilla Art : Heritage Preservation
Light A Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan 2013
Light A Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan 2.0
After a series of successful major public events, the Petaling Street Community Art Project continued with the momentum by organising “Light A Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan 2.0” on the 23 February 2013 in conjunction of the Chap Goh Meh celebration where once again the entire Petaling Street was disrupted and occupied by the thousands of public who came to participate and show support. The objective of the program was to use arts and culture as strategy and intervention to gather support from various stakeholders and the arts community to raise public awareness on saving the heritage streets.
The crowd started to gather as early as 5pm at various sites in Petaling Street area where there were many family activities available such as T-shirt printing and Chinese calligraphy writing. Gradually by the hour with more street performances started to take place, the number of visitors grew exponentially where they were entertained with various site-specific art performances i.e. choirs, dances, moving installations, multimedia projections, film screenings, poetry citations, modern and traditional percussion performances etc.
“Light A Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan” attracted participation from many established artists and organisations from the local arts scene such as Lee Swee Keong (Nyoba-Kan Butoh Dance Company), David Ngim (internationally acclaimed Soprano), Ng Chor Guan (award winning electronic music composer), Yii Kah Hoe (award winning contemporary music composer), Yuet Wan Cantonese Opera, Theatre Christian Fellowship KL and Bodhi Buddhist Fellowship Malaysia. Special mention to the participation from poets from Seniman Paksi Rakyat (PAKSI) and Kompang troupe from Kampung Banda Dalam community. In the event that lasted until mid-night, over 20 street performances took place and it was estimated by the local media that over 5000 spectators participated in the event.
This massive cultural action caught the raving attention of the local media and created much public discourse and pressure onto the then ruling government where the former Prime Minister Najib Razak announced Jalan Sultan to be kept as a cultural heritage site.
Date: 23 February 2013 | Time: 5pm
Venue: Jalan Panggung, Kuala Lumpur
Programs:
- Green Snake & The Monk by Nyoba-Kan Butoh Dance Theatre: Lee Swee Keong, Jess Liew, Kuan Nam, 郭少祺
- Sing for Petaling Street: Chow Kam Leong, Yudi Yap, Sang Teck
- 《民旗斬將》: Yii Kah Hoe (music composer), Fung Chern Hwei (violinist), Chong Keat Aun (performance artist), Yong Yandsen (saxophone player)
- Electronic Firecracker: Ng Chow Guan
- Teochew Gongs & Drums: The KL & Selangor Che Huan Khor Moral Uplifting Society
- 《娛樂昇平，春風得意》 ：廣東曲藝樂團楊偉鴻、黃光華、張華林
- Poetry & Singsong for Jalan Sultan: Siew Jye & Z Yan
- Soprano: David Ngim
- Street Performance: Yeow Lai Chee 、Leo Yap、Matthew Tan、 Kyo Hong、Chow Yong Shuang 、Ling、Lim Shin Hui、Wei-Yin Hoh
- Chinese New Year Prayer & Blessing: Soon Choon Mee & Theatre
Christian Fellowship - Chinese Calligraphy: Phang Heng Khan
- Street Singing: KL Bodhi Buddhist Fellowship
- Video Art Projection: Wong Eng Leong
- Moving installation: Astrid Koppe
- Moving installation: Goh Lee Kwang
- Malay Poetry: Seniman Paksi Rakyat (PAKSI) Pak Shim and Disman
- Kompang Performance: Kompang Troupe, Kampung Banda Dalam
- Street Calligraphy: Lee Kean Yau
- Street Calligraphy: Low Khay Hooi
- Street Drumming & Dance: Chang Wei Loy & Loo Poh Choo
Special thanks to all participated artists, volunteers and friends who made this event happened*
Photo Credits: Tan Chee Hon & Art Baiduren
Artist-in-Residency Program, HK Wooferten
Residency Period
June 2013 – July 2013
Venue
WooferTen, Yau Ma Tei, HK
Exhibition
19 July – 4 August 2013
Opening + Performances
19 July 2013, 6:30pm
Talk
20 July 2013
Photo Credit: Liew Chee Heai
For the first time, the valuable collection of old photographs, oral histories, short film records, and local music records of Petaling Street were “airlifted” to Hong Kong as part of the sharing and showcase on how art and culture strategies were employed to protect the old streets in Kuala Lumpur.
During the residency program at Wooferten, more than 100 black and white photos of Petaling Street dated from the 1880s to the 1960s were displayed at this creative and strategically located art space at Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei. A selective photo documentation of “Light A Lantern, Save Jalan Sultan” in 2012 and 2013, 916 Perayaan Tanglong 2011 and different activities organized by PSCAP showcasing earlier heritage preservation strategy were also exhibited to the public. Meanwhile, an artwork – “Petaling Street Full Map” displayed at the window of WooferTen. The team premiered a music video and exhibited conceptual photography as part of the visual presentations. Last but not least, a collection of over 50 local vinyl records in multiple Chinese dialects were displayed.
On the opening day, PSCAP team performed two performance art pieces at Wooferten which include:
1 – “A Pile of Cement”
instigated by team member Chong Keat Aun and Malaysian sound artist Rainf
2 – “Malaysian Rojak”
in which the team members cooked local Malaysian dishes and distributed the food to the public on the street
The exchange sharing session was held on July 20 (Sat) 2:30-4:30pm where the PSCAP members shared the most current updated situation with the project, their collective experiences in running the art projects and challenges faced by other old streets in Kuala Lumpur.
The Old Street of KL Photography Exhibition
Date: 28 July – 3 August 2013
Time: 10:00 – 20:00
Venue: KL Gospel Hall
Co-Organizers:
Photo – Art Institution, PSCAP, KL Gospel Hall, Life S.O.A.R
Photo Credits: Jeffrey Lum & Life S.O.A.R Resource Centre
Series Activities:
28 July 2013 |16:30 – 18:00
Old Days, Old Neigbourhood Talk & Sharing by Too Chi Cheong
29 July 2013 | 20:00 – 22:00
Street Photography Sharing Session by Khong Miaw Leong
31 July 2013 | 20:00 – 22:00
Keeping the Spirit of City by Hew Kuan Yee
2 August 2013 | 20:00 – 22:00
HK AIR Sharing – Old Street Preservation by PSCAP
3 August 2013
08:30 – 10:00
Heritage Tour by Khong Miaw Leong, Yeoh Lian Heng
10:30 – 12:30
Talk – The Changing of Old Streets
by Khong Miaw Leong, Yeoh Lian Heng
17:00 – 19:00
The History of Jalan Sultan Community by KL Gospel Hall
Heritage Tour
Sharing + Exhibition
Talk & Sharing Sessions
Oral History Sharing Session
by Phoon Yuen Ming
Hong Kong-Malaysia Community Conservation Work
by YC Chen
YC is a HK and MY culture studies scholar, ex-associate professor in the Department of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University HK, Founder of Mobile Democracy Classrooms during Occupy Central (HK) and he then established “Umbrella University”.
Regeneration and Revitalization of Old Streets
by Zu Hua Chiu (TW)
Zu Hua Chiu, a pioneer in the preservation of historical sites in Taiwan, explained to the audience her journey and practical cases of Taiwan heritage preservation. Chiu is the secretary-general of the Taiwan Historical Resource Managers Association and serves as a municipal consultant to the Taipei City Government. Over the years, she represent herself as non-profit status and has been devoted herself to the preservation of cultural assets and introduced new concepts and technologies in Taiwan.
Asahi Art Festival Sharing Session
An exchange of Japan art & culture spaces during Merdeka Fest 2012.
Special thanks to: Japan Foundation KL
HK pop-up book artist Kit Lau visit
To the artist’s surprise, the conditions of Petaling Street and Jalan Sultan are very similar to Hong Kong where the old streets are facing the same fate due to the rapid changes of urban development.
Exhibition
Shan Hai Jing
A Postcard Exchange Exhibition
by Low Khay Hooi & friends
Photo Credit: Art Baiduren
Have Nice Dream Lok Ann
by Moelyono
in collaboration with
Tan Chee Hon & Race Phua Wan Hui
Photo Credit: Tan Chee Hon
Art for Grabs
PSCAP participated in Art for Grabs at Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.
This event is a popular art bazaar cum annual bookfest in the city centre which include book launches, talks, screenings of award-winning films for all art lovers. PSCAP booth has exhibited the related events in conjunction with a series of art movements throughout the years. Meanwhile, audiences were able to purchase different version of culture maps, including a stamping map (a map production of PSCAP team for Petaling Street during 916 A Century of Moonlight festival in 2012).
Special thanks to: Pang Khee Teik, Goh Lee Kwang & Annexe Gallery
