My SinChew.com, 19 July 2014
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
Sungai Chua was well-known for its tin-mining industry. It has come
into existence as early as 1807, while the first Chinese tin miners
arrived here only around 1870. In end of 19th century, the rise of
rubber industry had further promoted the prosperity of Sungai Chua, with
most villagers engaged in rubber tapping and tin-mining activities.
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| Sungai Chua was having only about 50 households in early days but it has now more than 1,000 households, thanks to the development of train services. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily |
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| Tasik Sungai Chua is the only remaining mine lake in Sungai Chua. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily |
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| A religious tourist destination in Sungai Chua attracting many tourists particularly during weekends. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily |
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| Sungai Chua was well-known for its tin-mining industry. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily |
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| Rice purchase records during the Malayan Emergency, when the British colonial government imposed restrictions on rice purchase. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily |
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| A registration certificate during the British colonial period. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily |
The famous Kindersley brothers opened the Inch Kenneth Coffee Estate
in 1894 and planted five acres of rubber trees in 1896, making them
among the first to plant rubber in the country on a commercial scale.
The brothers then founded the Inch Kenneth Kajang Rubber Plc in 1910.
Land was allocated to residents in Kajang and Sungai Chua at that time, making them small rubber estate owners.
Resident Hung, 78, lived in an estate in Jalan Reko but was gathered
and moved into Sungai Chua New Village during the Malayan Emergency in
1948. He was about 12 years old at that time.
"Although each household received a piece of land at that time, but
life was very hard and the British colonial government gave villagers
only RM200 of allowance to build their own houses, which was not enough
to cover the construction cost of at least RM500," he recalled.
He said that most villagers were tin miners or rubber tappers in
early days. Tin mining activities were very popular, but the pay was not
good. It was only enough to support their families.
"The place was sought-after when tin prices were high but after the
prices plummeted, tin became worthless and we believe that there are
still tin here," he added.
Hung admitted that the security in Sungai Chua was very good in the
past and it would not be a problem even if they left their gates
unlocked. However, they have to be careful nowadays although the order
is still considered good.
Another resident Zhang Yin, 70, is also a native of Sungai Chua. His
grandparents settled in Kajang since they first came to Malaya from
southern China a century ago.
For Zhang Yin, although he was just a young kid when the Emergency
was imposed by the British colonial government, he can still remember
that everyone was particularly cautious during that "troubled times".
Due to financial difficulties, he only joined a tuition class and started to tap rubber at young age.
He said that although some houses in Sungai Chua are still in their original appearances, most have been reconstructed.
Village head Xie Wei Xian, 30, said that Sungai Chua is 600 acres in
size and the number of residents are growing. With the flourishing
industry and developing housing sector, Sungai Chua has at least 10,000
of residents nowadays.
"Residents are mainly Chinese, with some Indians and Malays. However,
many owners now also lease their houses to foreign workers, causing a
surge in the number of foreigners in the village," he said.
He said that although Sungai Chua has been gradually urbanised, the
interaction among residents remains tight and thus, many young people
have chosen to stay in the village, reducing the worries of the outflow
of young people.
