KUALA LUMPUR: At first glance, Kampung Baru may look like a typical village during Hari Raya – until the Twin Towers appear in the background.

Although the name may translate to “New Village”, it is anything but. Dating back over 100 years, this is one of the last Malay villages in the heart of the city.

Recently, FMT Lifestyle chatted with Fuad Fahmy, a fourth-generation resident, to uncover the village’s story. Speaking from his ancestral home, he revealed: “My great-grandfather Haji Sulaiman Haji Shahbuddin was the first imam at Masjid Kampung Baru.”

Sulaiman, who hailed from Medan, Sumatra, was a religious officer with the Delhi sultanate. During KL’s boom, there was a need for people to help build the city. As a result, Fuad’s great-grandfather was tasked with coming here in 1907.

“After 20 years of serving the community, he was given this piece of land, and we’ve been living here since 1927. In two years, it will be a century.”

Fuad, 52, is no ordinary kampung man: he’s on a mission to turn his humble village into a thriving tourist destination. After furthering his studies in tourism, he spent years leading Malaysians on tours around the world – until one day, he had an idea.

“Whenever I led groups overseas as a tour leader, I would visit the Tourism Malaysia office. I noticed there was little or no mention about Kampung Baru, despite us being 700m from the Twin Towers,” he recalled.

After working as a tour leader for many years, Fuad asked himself: “Why don’t I do a tour here in Kampung Baru?”

And that’s precisely what he did. Fuad has been leading walking tours called “Magical Kampung Baru” for almost 10 years now, welcoming visitors from around the world to experience the beauty of traditional kampung life.

But what exactly makes Kampung Baru so special?

For one, its traditional Malay architecture: the wooden stilt houses, or rumah panggung, are built without nails. Many of these structures, painted in vibrant colours, are still occupied by the same families who have lived here for generations.

Food is another cornerstone of Kampung Baru’s charm. Come buka puasa, a century-old bubur lambuk recipe draws massive crowds outside Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, where this rice porridge is handed out for free. The dish is so popular that several versions are sold by vendors outside the mosque.

Haji Zamberi Abdul Karim, who has served at the mosque for 22 years, decided to carry on the tradition of making this hearty porridge using the original recipe, while also making a living after retirement.

During Ramadan, Zamberi and his team cooked up to 10 pots a day, each taking around two hours. “I’ve given this recipe to mosques across Malaysia, even as far as Langkawi, because they all want the Kampung Baru version,” he said.

“But they still invite me to cook it for them, saying they can never get it quite right,” he added with a smile.

Another hidden gem is a shop that sells kuih raya year-round. Here, you’ll find 65-year-old Rosnah Abu Samah, a third-generation kuih maker, who learnt the craft from her elders.

It’s so old-school, they never bothered with a business name, and only accept cash. During FMT Lifestyle’s visit, she was making rempeyek, a crispy savoury cracker with peanuts and dried anchovies.

“When tourists come, they see a different KL,” Fuad pointed out. “The vibe, the environment, the smell, the spirit and soul are different.”

He further noted that the locals here are incredibly friendly and welcoming to visitors.

“Sometimes, while walking, someone will say, ‘Hey, bring your guests to come eat cempedak.’ He will then take a knife, cut the fruit in front of you, and you can eat by the roadside.”

Kampung Baru, which is actually made up of seven villages, was officially gazetted as a Malay Agricultural Settlement in 1950. However, it hasn’t escaped urbanisation, with parts of it demolished to make way for high-rises.

“We’re used to change, and are always adapting,” Fuad concluded. “My only hope is that the younger generation have a sense of belonging here, because you can’t find other places like this anymore.”

To be part of the Magical Kampung Baru tour, contact Fuad at 010-426 2886.