叻思新村的故事 The Story of Kampung Baru Rasa

距离首都吉隆坡仅50公里的叻思新村（Kampung Baru Rasa），位于乌鲁雪兰莪县（Hulu Selangor）中部，是一座拥有超过120年悠久历史的左镇。早期19世纪末，因叻思地底蕴藏着丰富的锡矿，吸引了无数矿家前往该镇从事采矿业，如著名实业家陆佑和矿业巨子陈文晟等都在此发迹。盛况时期更多达20多座露天矿场及5艘铁船，因而带动了市镇的繁华和人口的剧增，在20世纪初的人口便已有2万人，与当时吉隆坡3万人口的差距之微。 矿业为叻思的经济命脉，为国家经济作出重大贡献，同时也牵动着该镇的经济兴衰。但在二战发生期间，叻思一切商业活动遭受打击与被迫停止，经济从此一蹶不振。居民们在枪林弹雨中经历了日军侵略的三年零八个月，然后又在英殖民政府施行紧急法令下，宣布马来亚进入紧急状态并成立新村，与马共展开长达12年的游击战。随后，叻思的发展逐渐缓慢，人口也大量减少，更多已往其他地方发展。 时过境迁，曾经繁华绚烂，如今回归质朴。在地生活了大半辈子的长辈，习惯了安逸平静的作息。也有些年轻一代选择回流新村，如“芳记云吞面”的第三代老板林智生，一家人经营着这份古早味，坚持自制面条。叻思大街上弥漫着兴盛后的平静，和浓浓的人情味。 ☕ 支持 有你 UNI 继续记录马来西亚的故事 喜欢这则故事，欢迎请我们喝杯咖啡： https://uni.gallery/coffee/115 ※※※ Kampung Baru Rasa is located 50 kilometres away from Kuala Lumpur, right in the middle section of Hulu Selangor district, and is a small town with over 120 years in history. In the late 19th century, due to the rich tin mine deposits underneath the land of Rasa, several tin mining entrepreneurs were attracted to the small town to operate the lucrative industry, such as the renowned industrialist Loke Yew and tin mining tycoon Tan Boon Chia who made a fortune here. In the heydays there were up to twenty-odd open air tin mines and five tin dredge ships, bringing upon a bustling town with a sharp population increase, where in the early 20th century the population in Rasa is censused at twenty thousand, just a slight difference in comparison to Kuala Lumpur which houses around thirty thousand people back then. Tin mining is the main economic lifeline of Rasa, a significant contribution to the nation’s economy, as well as relating to the rise and decline of the town. During the Second World War, all business activity in Rasa was censured and forced to cease operations, the economy stopped from then onwards. Rasa inhabitants suffered severely over the Japanese occupation for 3 years and 8 months, then the British colonial government declared a national state of emergency throughout Malaya and formed new villages, in the meantime carrying out guerrilla warfare against the Malayan Communist Party for 12 years. Afterwards, the development of Rasa slackened, and the population declined, as most of them sought employment opportunities elsewhere. With the passage of time, the hustle and bustle of former days fall back into peace and quiet. The elder generation, who lived locally for most of their lives, are used to the serenity and amicable daily routine. There are also some members of the younger generation who chose to return to the village, for instance the third generation owner of “Fong Kee Wantan Mee” Mr Lim Zhi Sheng (transliteration), operating the authentic cuisine stall, persisting in producing homemade noodles. Lingering on the streets of Rasa is peace that comes after a time of flourish, as well as rich warmth. ☕ Support UNINESS to continue documenting Malaysian local cultures Enjoyed this story? Buy UNINESS a coffee: https://uniness.gallery/coffee/115 #有你UNI #UNIGallery #马来西亚有你 #有你 #UNI #uniness #uninessmalaysia https://uni.gallery https://uniness.gallery 文 Text/ 林汇川 Daniel Lim & 潘慧雯 Pua Hui Wen © 2019 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD