Just months ago, the place served as a training camp for Umno, before the Malay party’s fall from grace in the May polls.

Today, Pusat Latihan Memperkasa Ummah (Ilmu), which translates to “Community Empowerment Training Centre”, is eerily silent. It is a far cry from the noisy weekend activities held for Umno members and leaders in the past.

A huge Umno symbol greets visitors at the main gate, which is now shut. A person believed to be in charge of the complex refused to allow FMT reporters into the compound.

A bus marked “Prime Minister’s Department” was seen parked in the compound, a 23-acre plot of land containing two large buildings and nine smaller ones.

There is also a parking lot surrounded by several homestays, the popular local equivalent of bed and breakfasts.

One homestay owner, Ahmad Zaini Mat Yunus, recalls how Umno members would hold drills aimed at their rivals, with PAS and DAP flags being flown.

“After that, they would say, ‘PAS is stupid’ and ‘DAP is stupid’, ‘communist party’ and so on,” he told FMT.

Ahmad, 50, believes the centre was used to “brainwash” Umno members. He added that he had also viewed a recording of the activities at the complex.

Janda Baik, some 54km from Kuala Lumpur, is a frequent destination for company staff retreats.

A Google search reveals little about the Umno centre.

However, Kampung Janda Baik’s village head Zahari Arop, 70, is among those who had participated in activities at the centre.

“There is a hostel, a big hall and a lecture hall for workshops,” he told FMT. “All the activities in the main hall were related to Umno.”

Big names who attended programmes here included former Umno president Najib Razak and his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, along with other senior leaders from the previous government.

Zahari said the training centre was owned by Umno, and had an estimated worth of RM14 million.

But it is also used by government agencies.

“But after the election, the place was deserted,” he said.

Meanwhile, homestay owner Ahmad Zaini said not all residents were aware of the activities held at Ilmu.

“Normally there were siren noises during the day. During the evening, they held karaoke sessions while in the morning, we could hear poco-poco songs.”

Others said they had welcomed the weekend crowds.

Sabarudin Abdul Malik, 53, who owns a hardware shop, said business was good when Ilmu was active with its programmes.

“When activities were held, the villagers would get orders for food items such as noodles, lemang and other traditional delicacies.

“Now there are no more programmes. My business has been affected,” he said.