Friday, August 24, 2007

The colorful buildings of Batu Road..

Some week ago we were at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. It was formerly known a Batu Road. The reason why the British call it Batu Road, we can only guess. Batu in English is Stone, perhaps it is the first road built using stone. Remember those were the days when a path is already big for walking. Then we do not need roads to move from point A to B or to C. We just walk taking the path that had been use before or just create another one through the bushes of the orchard or later on through the Rubber plantation, where the trees grows in rows.

To divert a little, I remember a story of the first white man on entering Malaya from Singapore, saw that the trees were all in neat rows. He thought it is a forest or a jungle of a sort. Well, at that time this country were known for its dense forest of good timber. So he kept wondering why the trees of one kind grows so healthy in rows and rows. So been curious the white man ask his local friend, how come all the trees grows in line. Well, the local jokingly replied that in the tropic new species that was brought from other countries had to first learn to live and that this plant has yet to assimilate with the local species. So to be on the safe side the tree decided to grow side by side for the time being. Rubber tree is not native to this part of the world. It was brought by the British Planters. It grows well in this country and eventually Malaya/Malaysia became the biggest producer of natural rubber. Well, that is one of the stories of the Rubber tree. As we all know too well, Rubber trees do not just grow. It is planted, thus it is in rows. Well there you are, the story goes.

So coming back to the story of Batu Road, the British engineers must have ask the local what is Stone in Malay and the reply is Batu. So I believe they decided to name the first road in Kuala Lumpur Business Centre as Batu Road. I wonder why come Independence, the authority at that time did not kept the old name but instead renamed it after our first Yang di-Pertuan Agong [King], Tuanku Abdul Rahman. I think they choose to name it as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman because it was the busiest road and also the main road in the heart of bustling Kuala Lumpur at that time in our history. As well as at that time it was the Business Centre of the country. So it was thought proper that the place where Kuala Lumpur grows should be name after the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong [King] of this country. Today it is no longer Batu Road but Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. It would have been nice if the history of this road is written on a plaque and placed at a strategic place, to remind the now generation of its history. For Batu Road has its own history during the colonial era. Perhaps City Hall should think of this. It would surely add value to this tourist destination. Well, that is history now. Anyhow with the redevelopment and the face lift of the whole area that is been done by the City Hall, it would soon be back to its former glory.

While I was there that Saturday I saw that City Hall is doing an upgrading of the whole area, a sort of a face lift. The back lane is been paved with colorful brick block. It would be a great place for the weekly hawker's bazaar comes the weekend. Most of the old and historical buildings along the roads are now painted in various colors. To me it look great for it add color to the already colorful part of the city. I took a numbers of snap of the buildings and am sharing it here for all to enjoy. Have a nice day.

8 comments:

Pak Idrus said...

Note: Damelehrer, you posted your comment under 'Blogtoon'. Please see my reply in that posting. A slip of the hand is not the fault of the mind. Have a nice day and take care.

The Ancient Mariner said...

Pak Idrus,

Correction, I believe Batu Road is now Jalan Tuanku Abd Rahman, after the first Agong. Common mistake everybody makes.

Pak Idrus said...

the ancient mariner, Thank You Sir, for pointing that out. I am deeply grateful to you. Getting it corrected right in a moment. Have a nice day and t take care.

Cliff said...

Pak Idrus,

Not being a KL boy, I always though that TAR was named after our first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman!!! Globe Silk Store there was the store to buy warm clothings for most young Malaysians heading for their first time overseas(studies) back in the 1970's. My father still refers it as Batu Road.

Pak Idrus said...

cliff, thanks for the visit. Re Batu Road the name has changed but folks of my age still refer it as Batu Road. That area of the city still charmed the people. It is as vibrant as ever. Many people are still confused as to the name of the road now. Like 'the ancient mariner' says it is a common mistake everybody makes which includes me. Hope that you are in the best of health as well. Have a nice day and take care.

Hizwani bin Hassan said...

My wife went to Batu Road school a few weeks ago and she was told that BATU stands for British Army Transit Unit. Hence also the term BATU Cantonment.

A search for this has led me to your blog.

I am not sure how true what was told to my wife is though. Allahu 'alam.

Hizwani bin Hassan said...

My wife went to Batu Road school a few weeks ago and she was told that BATU stands for British Army Transit Unit. Hence also the term BATU Cantonment.

A search for this has led me to your blog.

I am not sure how true what was told to my wife is though. Allahu 'alam.

Pak Idrus said...

Hizwani bin Hassan,Thanks for the visit and sharing your thoughts on the subject of this posting.

Well you may have a point there. I am now having a second thought on the name Batu. You may be right but before going to a conclusion on what Batu mean let us get others view point on this.

I have posted this on my Facebook wall
"Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur was once known as BATU Road. Anyone out there know Why BATU Road. Is it Batu as in stone or BATU is an abbreviation of British Army Transit Unit. Thanks."
... and up to now have got many point of view but as yet to know the Why as yet.

If you are on FB do do to my wall 'Idrus Abu Bakar' and view all those comments as it comes.

Thanks and do have a nice day.