Tan Siew Keng (centre), widow of Chai Huat Hin founder Lim Boon Peng, upholds his legacy with her daughter Lim Bee Bee (left) and son-in-law Lem Hock Wah. Chai Huat Hin remains one of Petaling Street’s last traditional dried seafood stores. Photo: UNINESS
The traditional trades that once defined Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur are gradually fading, but some dedicated individuals are working to keep these practices alive.
To document the history and heritage preserved by these artisans, the non-profit Project Future Malaysia has released Petaling Street: Traditions In Transition, a new book and video series.
“This project isn’t just about preserving forgotten trades – it’s a creative intervention aimed at breathing life into our historic Petaling Street precinct,” says Kevin Bathman, a cultural activist, designer and the book-video initiative’s project manager.
“Think of it as a celebration of expertise, a tribute to those who have weathered the tides of time and carry the wisdom of generations,” he adds.
Backed by PNB Merdeka Ventures and Think City through the Merdeka 118 Community Grant programme, the project is a collaborative effort involving digital storytelling team UNINESS, five local authors, Kuala Lumpur Urban Sketchers, Teaspoon Publishing, and Imaginatif. Together, they pay tribute to the rich legacy of Petaling Street.
The 'Petaling Street: Traditions In Transition' book features fictional stories, tradespeople interviews, and sketches. Photo: UNINESS
The Petaling Street: Traditions In Transition project captures the essence of this vibrant city street through five traditional trades: a flower garland maker, the Sai Kee hawker stall, Chai Huat Hin dried seafood and sundry store, Seong Ying Chai artisanal bakery, and Kien Fatt medicine store.
The narrative video series by UNINESS brings the experiences of the tradespeople to life, featuring real-life accounts from interviews with these traditional traders. Complementing the series, the limited-edition book presents five new fiction stories inspired by Petaling Street’s traditional trades, written by local authors Aizuddin H. Anuar, Chang Yan Yee, Francis Nantha, Robert J. Lesney, and Sandiya Subramaniam.
Original artwork from the Kuala Lumpur Urban Sketchers adds a visual dimension to the project. Sketch artists Li Wei, KC Lee, Sunny Sun, Yoon, Joyce Wong, Tiu Lean Kai, Gyen Lim, and Yong Kien Liew beautifully capture the essence of the trades through their detailed sketches of the shops’ facades and interiors.
The layers of heritage
Bathman explains that Petaling Street: Traditions In Transition is presented in multiple mediums to forge a deeper connection with the area’s history.
“We choose to go with a multi-format approach for several reasons. The video series presents vivid, personal accounts and offers an immersive experience to highlight the significance of the trades through interviews and visual storytelling,” says Bathman.
“The short stories were inspired by a desire to infuse creative perspectives into the preservation effort. Local authors were commissioned to craft fiction inspired by the real-life trades and their cultural context, enriching the project by blending historical reality with creative interpretation,” he adds.
Bathman notes that the Kuala Lumpur Urban Sketchers’ illustrations enhance Petaling Street’s gritty dynamism, providing a unique and evocative depiction of its heritage.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the team, though, as working on the project presented a number of challenges.
“One significant issue was the selection of traders – many of the ones we approached declined to participate. Finding those willing and suitable to represent Petaling Street’s diverse heritage was a complex process,” says Bathman.
Ensuring proper representation was another challenge, as it was crucial to the team to portray each trade authentically and respectfully, without misrepresenting their contributions.
They also had to be mindful to not disrupt the traders’ daily business operations as they conducted interviews and gathered information, and were careful about handling sensitive topics, such as discussing deceased family members.
“We had to approach these discussions delicately to ensure that the interviews were conducted respectfully and that the content was treated with the necessary sensitivity. Balancing these aspects was essential to create a meaningful and respectful portrayal of Petaling Street’s traditions,” he shares.
While working on the project, the team was able to gain valuable insights into the trades and the difficulties in keeping them going.
“Many of these trades have been sustained for decades, often passed down through generations within families. However, some of them face a challenge today as they lack heirs to continue the legacy, leading to their potential closure,” says Bathman.
Another interesting aspect they learned was the deep sense of pride the traders have in their craft and the role it plays in preserving cultural identity.
“Despite the challenges they face, including competition from modern businesses and the pressures of a rapidly-changing economy, these traders are committed to maintaining their traditions.
“Their dedication not only keeps these trades alive, but also serves as a living link to the past, offering a connection to Petaling Street’s history.
"This sense of duty to preserve cultural heritage for future generations was something we hadn’t fully appreciated before working on this project,” concludes Bathman.
