Adopting its name from ‘brick’, Brickfields was reputed to be the centre for brick making in its early days. Initially developed by the last Kapitan Cina, Yap Kwan Seng, Brickfields is one of the pioneer settlements in Kuala Lumpur. Kapitan Yap’s foresight saw that quality bricks would be needed in fast-growing Kuala Lumpur and established a kiln in a district that later came to be known as Brickfields.
Before Kuala Lumpur entered its heyday, goods were transported to and from Port Klang via the Klang River by boat, or on land. Bullock carts were a popular mode of transport then too, earning the area the nickname, Kandang Kerbau (buffalo shed) as buffaloes were kept there during the night. A marker helped travelers track their journey, and Brickfields was identified the by 15th milestone as Brickfields was 15 miles from the Klang River where vessels and travelers had to continue their journey by bullock cart. Located near the now-defunct Lido cinema near the YMCA, this marker denoted the ‘border’ of Kuala Lumpur.
It is not uncommon to see many members of the blind community in Brickfields. Indeed, the blind community is synonymous with Brickfields and it is home to several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) committed to improving the welfare of the blind in Malaysia. Tactile pathways are abundant in Brickfields and serve to help the blind make their way around.
Balan Moses in his book ‘Brickfields: A Place, A Time, A Memory,’ wrote that the existence of the blind community in Brickfields began in 1953 when Major Ronald Bridges, a blind former British army officer, decided that the visually handicapped needed organized help rather than mere ad hoc assistance. Thus, the Gurney Centre for the Visually Impaired was subsequently established.
Brickfields is bordered by several main roads, namely Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Jalan Bangsar, Jalan Travers, and Jalan Syed Putra. The Klang River, which runs parallel to Jalan Syed Putra, forms a natural border between Brickfields and Taman Seputeh . Home to many religious structures, architecture in Brickfields is a blend of both modern and traditional, among them the ‘100 Quarters’ in Jalan Rozario, and the more modern shophouses fronting Jalan Tun Sambanthan opposite Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
A view of Brickfields taken from Palm Court Condominium. In the background is the fast emerging exclusive urban centre of Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
Interesting Facts About Brickfields
Jalan Tun Sambanthan, which used to be known as Jalan Brickfields, was re-named in honour of the first Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) president, Tun V.T. Sambanthan
Jalan Rozario was named after F.L.D. Rozario which served as the chief clerk to William Treacher, former English Resident of Selangor.
Brickfields rose from a humble ‘clay pit’ to an important brick-producing community due to the foresight of the last Kapitan China, Yap Kwan Seng.
There are a total of twelve educational institutions in Brickfields, consisting of schools and colleges.
Among various prominent personalities who are proud to call Brickfields home include Ananda Krishnan, one of Malaysia and South East Asia’s richest men, Bastianpillai Paul Nicholas, Malaysia’s first Asian banker, and Devaki Krishnan, the first Malaysian Indian woman to stand for election.
Mah Hassan b Haji Omar was the first Malaysian with visual impairment to be called to the Malaysian Bar in 1988. Previously a Legal Adviser at Bursa Malaysia, he is now the Principal Partner of his own law firm, Mah Hassan & Associates. He is also the president of the Society of the Blind, Malaysia.
