Kg Kemensah in danger of losing its rustic charm
By BAVANI M and SHALINI RAVINDRAN
SOME folk may admire the entrepreneurial spirit of the Kampung Kemensah riverside dining and campsite operators, who have turned natural streams into pretty backdrops for food and leisure in Hulu Kelang, Selangor.
They call it “rustic dining with a view”, offering visitors a chance to enjoy a meal while dipping their feet in a cool, flowing stream.
The operators like to show off how they’ve turned a river into an Instagrammable spot, but behind the pretty pictures, the reality is not quite so charming.
In truth, what they are selling as a rustic getaway could end up having far reaching effects on the environment.
Grease, rubbish and untreated wastewater from various businesses now flow in Sungai Kemensah, affecting the quality of the river.
For Kampung Kemensah village head Zohari Ahmad, whose family was among the early settlers, memories are still crystal clear of a past when the river was so clean that one could drink straight from it.
“That was how pristine the water was when I was growing up in the village.
“Now, everything has changed; we daren’t use the water for drinking or washing. We need to do something to preserve the remaining environment,” he said.
Zohari’s brother, 68-year-old Ismail Ahmad, remembers the river being the heart of the village during childhood, even a source of drinking water.
“The river was our lifeline, our energy booster.
“When we were children, there was no piped water, electricity, phone nor bus service.
“The only television was at the Penghulu’s house a few kilometres away so for us children, the river was our whole world,” Ismail said.
Zohari recalls businesses began popping up in the village more than 10 years ago. There are now 70 identified businesses, all of them unlicensed, operating in Kampung Kemensah
While acknowledging the fact that they have brought in work opportunities for locals, he said the challenge now was to strike a balance between development and preservation.
“We want to keep the ecosystem as untouched as possible.
“At the same time, we acknowledge that development is necessary and cannot be stopped.
“Personally, I have no objections to turning this place into a tourist destination, but there must be protections and controls in place,” he said.
Fading legacy
Now, some residents say the over-commercialisation of their once-sleepy village is becoming a real worry, not just for the environment, but also for their way of life.
For Ismail and Zohari, the village is not just a home, but their family’s legacy and history.
Ismail recounted how his father was given a plot of land to build a house, along with space to grow vegetables and rubber trees, back in the 1960s.
“It was in 1964 when the government launched Kampung Kemensah and invited young families to come live here and grow crops and rubber trees,” he said.
There were 48 settlers – the pioneers – whose names are etched on a welcome plaque at the village entrance.
“I remember the then Mentri Besar Harun Idris launching the kampung.
“The young men built wooden houses on plots of about 0.1ha each.
“Today, those wooden houses have become stone houses and you’ll find two or three homes on each lot, which were built by the second generation,” Ismail said.
But over time, many outsiders began moving into the village, including foreigners who built houses in the area, especially along the riverbanks.
Many of these structures are illegal, with makeshift piping that discharges sewage directly into the river, according to residents.
Zohari said some of the businesses were started by residents, while others were run by outsiders renting land from villagers.
It began with basic chalets, followed by operators offering trekking activities, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides as well as food and beverages.
He noted that economic activities in the village helped locals earn a living.
“Having these businesses here also allows our youths to become entrepreneurs or supplement their income after work or on weekends,” he said.
Zohari added that the community had been working with Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) to develop operational guidelines for businesses in Kampung Kemensah.
“MPAJ has conducted a census of the businesses here as part of this effort.
“We have also met with them to provide input on guidelines and standard operating procedures, such as prohibiting unapproved structures along the river and ensuring proper drainage and sewage systems,” he explained.
He expressed hope that there would be strict enforcement once the guidelines were implemented.
“Without proper rulings, some operators have taken the opportunity to expand their businesses in ways that could have long-term effects on the environment.
“With guidelines in place, the authorities should take action if the rules are not followed.”
As village head, Zohari acknowledged that his authority was limited when it came to any type of enforcement.
“There was one time I tried to advise an operator but they questioned – ‘You siapa (Who are you)?’
“I have to learn to be patient, because if I do not speak up, who will?”
He estimated that about 2,000 people currently live in the village, including 30 Orang Asli families.
However, he said roughly 40% were squatters, who had built structures along the river and other areas.
One of them is an Indonesian who wanted to be known only as Nawi, 67.
“I came here in 1979 to work on a fruit farm and built a small wooden house by the river.
“Back then, it was just my wife and I,” said Nawi, now a grandfather of 16.
Today, that house which has since become a brick house, is home to his family including his seven children and their families.
“We are lucky we can earn a living nearby.
“My children and I work with one of the local businesses and we are thankful for that.
“But after all these years, I still hope to be granted permanent citizenship. This is our home,” he said.
Similarly, Mona Ahmad, a tech specialist, moved here with her husband Zuri because they love nature.
“We built a home near the river because it gives us that balance we need from our fast-paced, digital lives,” said Mona, who lives just a short walk from the riverbank.
“But lately, the commercialisation is getting out of hand.
“We are not against development, but we are strongly against any business that pollutes the river.
“This place is beautiful and we chose it for its peace and greenery, not noise and sewage,” she added.
Mother of two Sharon Ling, who recently visited the river dining spot at Kampung Kemensah, said: “I thought it would be a fun, back-to-nature experience for my children as we dip our feet in the river, enjoying a simple meal.
“But I was appalled. I saw people, especially children, throwing rubbish straight into the river, and someone was even washing plates in the same water!
“The place was full of man-made structures like slides, cemented paths and even boasted a TV.
“I even saw a worker moving river stones to change the river flow for visitors’ convenience.
“It didn’t feel like nature at all. It felt like a cheap theme park.”
When StarMetro visited Kampung Kemensah, it was observed that many commercial activities were taking place along the river, which attracts hordes of visitors, especially on the weekend.
If left unchecked, the village risks trading in its natural charm for noise, concrete and chaos.
What drew people here – the river, peace and greenery – may soon be lost and once it’s gone, no amount of gushing water or Instagram filters can bring it back.
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