Senaling : Revisited

Kampong Senaling, Kuala Pilah
Negri Sembilan Darul Khusus
5th May 2010

After golfing at Kelab Golf DiRaja Seri Menanti; we decided to pay a visit to my 'Abah' and 'Kak Ngah" in Kampong Senaling (the house where I grew up until age 13). Abah and Kak Ngah lives alone now as the children are all working either in KL or in Seremban; and Anin is presently working in Sudan.

Kampong Senaling have not changed, not a bit; since I lived and knew that place. However some of the shops are not opened anymore, maybe due to economic reasons; but the main reason is that the younger generations have all migrated to the cities (also due to economic reasons).

I have not been back for about 3 years and I was glad I made that stop yesterday afternoon!

Ni rumah Cikgu Taib (the late). I used to spend a lot to time here playing with Abang Dil, Bang Teh, Kak Ain, Abod, Ayang together with Ajih Baroh and Ajai.

Bang Teh is now lecturing in UPM, Abod have grown up children (Gerek Itu Alia - on FB is her eldest daughter, Ayang is a remisier (so I heard); Ajih Baroh is doing well with his Insurance Agency in Ipoh (but I have not met him yet). Met Ajai a few times in Komtar Penang, where he runs a health supplement shop.
This place have not changed, save for the scary Pokok Pulai which have been taken down, unattended and wasted padi fields and some of the shops are already closed. Met Abang Usop (tukang gunting) and had a chat with him for a while.

Abah and Kak Ngah looks okay, however like everyone else they have grown a little bit older (like me) cos everything is Senaling is now 'smaller' that it used to be!
Nobody lives in this big house anymore, as the windows are all shut down and closed. I peeked, but seems that no one is around.
And this is the 'surau' where I learned and khatam 'mengaji'. Lebai Awal was the one responsible guiding and teaching us and I was one of those mischievous one (as I got whacked by the small tiny rotan). Haji Rahmad Latif (Police Officer working in Kuala Pilah), who lives next to the 'surau' is now the "Imam", so I heard.
The side of the original house; built by Atok Usop for RM700.00 way back in the 50s. The other side of the house have been renovated and extended. It was at this space where I used to plant lots of vegetables; after I finished my MCE exam but before the results (1973). Even the coconut tree that I planted in the 60s was not there anymore.
The front and the other side of the house. Abah Rahman is standing at the door. In front of the house there used to be a 'yellow rambutan' which is so 'lekang', sweet and juicy. But that tree have been brought many many years ago as it is then dangerous if it were to fall on the house.

So this was that little small village that I started life until the age of 13, taken care of by 'my Atok Usop', Abah Rahman and Kak Ngah (who happen to also have lots of children). The place where I go ngaei, ngoca, learn how to bud graft rubber trees, do all the kampong thing's and moved from adolescent years to become a man (after the sunat thing).

That's why I called myself and trade mark me as "Budak Senaling"

The three rows of shop as how it was originally 50 years ago.

The corner lot (junction to Royal Seri Menanti) used to be a restaurant run by Pak Cik Jamal, who actually lives in Ulu Pilah (on the way to Seri Menanti). At the far end of the row is Ah Hock's house and in the middle was where the roti churning shop - run by Mohd Tasadukkhan (have children : Hassan, Hussein and Ali - I cannot remember the rest).

I don't recognise many folks no more. It has been a while.

The end shop was kedai Tam Be Liong (still is I guessed). His son was my age and we used to go to school on the bus together. We also play in the same school percussion band together. He plays the tamborine and I play that silly little triangle that goes ting ting ting.

The junction to Seri Menanti, facing us used to be kedai Pak Cik Jamal and where that person in red stands is the Tam Bee Liong's shop (still standing). Once every hour, the 'Malay Transport Bus Company' will ply Kuala Pilah - Seri Menanti through this junction.

The bus that passes by running from Kuala Pilah to Tampin is 'The Eng Giap Bus Company' which passes by my house.

Some of these shops are still running and supplying foods, goods and the necessity to the village folks. But there are no more fish mongers (used to be Ah Sin) and no more 'laundrette' neither is there still Kok Thai's shop (I used to date his daughter once or twice : but got scolded by everyone and many cos' I was going out with a 'chinese' girl)

Senaling will stay as it is; not that we know whatever will happen to it in the next 50 years. Since it has been around for more than 70 years, I believe it will still be there for the next 70 more years.

The late Tan Sri Nazimuddin of NAZA Empire was from here!

This is the road from Seri Menanti to Senaling. This little cute charming village called Peraku is home town to Icham Zainal (Meeky); my friend on Facebook.

And if you have heard about 'tahi lembu' all over the road; that you have to navigate carefully when driving in Senaling or Seri Menanti - it is very true, even until today!!!

The road between Seri Menanti and Senaling is still 'small', but alas it is always lonely. If you are driving a van as big as an Alphard; you'd better drive carefully.

Kampong Peraku and all other little villages along the Seri Menanti-Senaling route or the road to Seremban from Kuala Pilah are full of 'telur itik', 'itik salai', 'daging salai', 'gula enau (kabong)', 'kueh gesirat' and other 'kampong products' that are not normally available in TESCO or GIANT!

In conclusion, I am still a "Budak Senaling" in and out; even though there was "Nor Yus Mee" from Facebook (who lives in Soromban) who questioned my roots from Senaling ! When I replied her email, she never came back - suspend kut !!!

Who said my village folks have no money : look at the number of cows, goats, sheeps and chickens on the road ...