Kerling Day Out

It was rather cloudy when we arrived at Kerling town, an hour drive north of Kuala Lumpur. With only a single block of pre-war shop-houses, this is probably one the smallest towns that I’ve ever been to.

Single block, certainly not a good number, considering the young ones are leaving for better job opportunity and living lifestyles in the city. All thirteen (13) or us, however, was a good figure, sounds good especially for our Chinese-Cantonise friends.


As some of the SCI members start hunting for charcoal, I would look for my shots. The local wet market surely worth mentioning. Interesting date of birth, 1929, selling fresh and cheap vegetable straight from the local farms, this is where all mothers socialize almost every morning.

Men? They would hanging around in coffee shops, chit-chatting or have their regular mahjong.


Anyway our actual destination - - Kerling Old Folks Home is about 5km from the sleepy town, next to a newly completed highway and old railways track. I was standing on the higher road level, hoping to get a bird eye’s view of KOFH.

What you see is what you get. The old building on the right dated back in the early 80’s, while the new building/dormitory was completed some 2 years ago. Beautiful compound surrounded by fruit trees: rambutan, ciku, banana, etc. Buffer zone before the rubber estate fills with more banana trees, maybe some guava, and mountains beyond.


KOFH is subsidies by local government, in the same time receiving donations from publics especially during the festival seasons. Other than that they need volunteers and some to talk around, I guess.

Uncle Subra seems delighted when I talk to him, certainly happy to post for a shot. Till now I’m still reluctant to stare into his eyes, not even in the photo: It reminds me of his weak, husky voices. And eyes seldom cheat, not like how life cheated on him. I mean non of us here today could have imagine life like this when we get old, even if Uncle Subra’s current living conditions are much better than those of homeless.


Uncle Lun originated from a town named Kampar, probably slightly more than an hours’ drive from Kerling. He is one of the many locally dislocated people created during our Emergency period (1948 – 1960). Back then, life could be harsh and difficult, especially for Chinese, as most of the communist guerrillas were also Chinese.

British government’s effort to resettle (mainly) Chinese community created a new phenomena - - Chinese New Village. Till today we still have about 1.2 million people living in 480 New Villages throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Uncle Lun will probably missed life in his previous village, but I think he have a pretty good neighborhood here.

I couldn’t spare much time talking with Michael as he came back halfway through our workcamp. One last resident of the home is still in hospital, due to some health problems. While all 4 of them live in a same home, they could lead quite different life-styles. Uncle Lun owns a motorcycle and used to hang out in Kerling town. Michael drives an old car and maybe he just came back shopping!


Back to our main task today, most of the works were major cleaning up for the old building, including its compound. I was somehow, wondering around the area before given the task to prepare our lunch. Well, to be exact, the barbecue chicken.

Those days I need probably a fire starter to get the business done but thanks and no thanks to the strong winds, I suppose the new records now stands at 7. It was a helpful practice indeed! Luckily I received no complain, so far…


If you are in a village, far from shopping center and busy traffic headache, things can be done in a simpler manner. Most villagers will spend their cool, lazy (after dinner) evening sweeping and cleaning up their house compound, before burning up the masses.

Air pollution? It’s like comparing slash-and-burned farmer with massive logging, you should stand next to some factory for couple of minutes before making any judgment. Sorry to say, take away sweep-and-burned activities will be like taking away some of our childhood memories.


After the hard works (well, except grilling some chicken), we enjoy our time sharing some thoughts underneath the ciku tree. We were glad that it doesn’t rain early that day, it was such a good weather with strong wind, mild sunlight.


Often said: If you go into some kampung, you’ll never come out empty-handed. We are happy to have some newly “harvested” ciku with us on our way home!

P/S: More photos at S Nah's