Garden Of Hope

For years, eight acres of green space sat unused amid dense suburban Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

The land belonging to the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (Malaysia’s main power company) was meant to transmit electricity and hence, was unsuitable for built projects. Sensing potential for permaculture, a group of volunteers led by landscape architect Ng Sek San lobbied to optimise the reserve as a garden that serves as a non-discriminative space for food cultivation and education.

Having met several roadblocks, labour on Kebun-Kebun Bangsar only began in 2017 despite inception in 2013. The team’s persistence is paying off. Today, the garden reaps a variety of edibles that are donated to the urban poor. It also offers a restorative space where farm animals roam freely on flower fields. Compost bins within the facility collect organic waste from nearby restaurants and homes. Apart from feeding people, Kebun-Kebun Bangsar is an active farm where regular gotongroyongs (communal work projects) and workshops are held. All walks of life (anybody can join) work on the land together, learning about food security simultaneously.

“I believe that if you do the right thing and work the land sympathetically, it will take care of you,” says Ng, who is a firm believer that small acts can lead to big changes. He hopes that more citizens will create their own kebun (small garden for growing food), contributing to self-sufficiency.

The team recently set up Kebun-Kebun Kerinchi, a boundless plot along the Klang River, aimed at helping families living in the low-cost flats nearby. Text and photo by Stephanie Peh.