I had the opportunity to interview Makcik Normah Binti Majawali the granddaughter of Haji Jaafar.  Makcik Normah was born in 1932 and grew up in this house. Such a privileged family as hers, she was able to attend school at that time. She went to Sekolah Melayu, Kambung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, within walking distance from the house. Upon completion at primary level, she was transferred to an English school at Bukit Nenas, Kuala Lumpur to complete her secondary education. There was not much of freedom or social life like teenagers today.  For any young Malay female during that time, outings are only allowed with a chaperon. Soon after her wedding, she and her husband moved to Kelantan. Her sentiment for the house was strong and she returned and took the post as guardian for the house after her husband past away.

 

This Mandiling house had received many headlines from local newspapers and a small financial assistance from Badan Warisan, an NGO for many heritage projects.  However there is no sign of immediate action by the Federal or State Government in an attempt to preserve this history. Puan Norhayati, daughter of Makcik Normah had been concerned for her mother’s health and safety whilst her mother who was in her 70s persisted to living in the house.

 

During our afternoon tea in Cyberjaya where she now resides, Makcik Normah, she was thrilled and delighted to share her bitter sweet experience whilst growing up in Jalan Chow Kit with her grandparents and parents who shares same house. This is still a common practice in Malaysian culture.

 

Puan Norhayati proudly shared her mother’s wedding pictures. A photo of men cooking for the feast ​​outside the house represents a common ritual activity during Malay weddings which continues until today.  Family photos during their visit to the Lake Garden and the National Museum at a weekend were few fond memories she treasured.

 

When asked where she enjoys going shopping, she briskly said that such ‘duties’ were dealt by her grandmother in the Chow Kit market where most consumer goods can be purchased; girls were not allowed out as to minimize their exposure to the outside world.

 

This interview was part of a research in collaboration with University Malaya and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur to uplift the streets in Chow Kit, Lorong Haji Taib and part of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. It may be a little too late to rescue this unique house as the future of the house is now in a perception of a business venture.  The question remains, who will make an effort to preserve this unique history that once belonged to Haji Jaffar Sutan Sinombor a Mandiling migrant from Indonesia.  In the 70s during the time I know Chow Kit road, there was little difference, busy and was full of life. But if you observed closely, the transformation of Chow Kit and its surrounding area have turned into a multinational background and will continue to change its pattern following the rhythm of life of its residences in making the place, called Chow Kit Road.