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Sentul: Then & Now

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Sentul: Then & Now

A collective of Sentul residents & fans gathering & sharing stories about Sentul & its community.

Sentul Then And Now (STAN) is a community page dedicated to preserving Sentul’s unique heritage, sharing its captivating stories, and fostering a greater appreciation for this vibrant community. Started in May 2023, the vision is to embark on a journey through time, uncovering the hidden gems and untold tales that define this unique neighbourhood, both past and present. Join us as we delve into th

e heart of Sentul, where history comes alive. Do you have any interesting stories about Sentul that you’d like to share? Dive into nostalgia and reminisce about your cherished memories of this vibrant neighbourhood! Whether it’s the bustling streets, cozy corners, timeless landmarks, or your favorite food, we want to hear it all.

17/08/2026

🎶 Sing Sentul – One‑Day Community Choir 🎶

🗓️ Sunday, 23 August
⏰ 3PM – 6PM
📍 Indicine, KLPAC

👥 Open to all ages – no singing experience needed!
👀 Registration:
https://cryptpad.fr/form/ #/2/form/view/aiXlO1YWVLTPT0zqwy3-qE1I1fHofz2JmVAkOAQhBaA/

Hope to see you there! 🌟

11/08/2026

Founded in 1917 by the Sri Lankan Sinhalese community of Sentul, the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple has preserved the rich traditions of Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhism for more than a century.

Originally located on Jalan Haji Salleh, the temple was relocated to its present site in 1930. In 2000, the original building was replaced with a new structure designed in the architectural style of a traditional Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist temple, reflecting its enduring cultural and spiritual heritage.

While the temple continues to uphold the Theravada Buddhist tradition, many of its present-day devotees are Chinese Buddhists who practise the Pure Land tradition. In recognition of this, the Kuan Yin Garden was established beside the sacred Bodhi Shrine, symbolising the temple's spirit of inclusiveness and harmony.

The temple's sacred Bodhi Tree traces its lineage from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, which was propagated from the original Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, India, where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. This unbroken lineage makes the temple's Bodhi Tree a deeply venerated symbol of the Buddhist faith.

From its humble beginnings within the old Sentul Railway Quarters, the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple has grown into one of Malaysia's most significant Buddhist landmarks. Today, it serves as a centre for worship, Dhamma learning, meditation, and community service. The temple is also home to Malaysia's largest indoor Buddha statue and resident Sri Lankan monks who continue to uphold and share the traditions of Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhism.

Do you have a story or fond memory of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple? We'd love to hear it. Share your memories with us in the comments.

Credit: Bro. A.K. Nelson Sammie, President, Siri Jayanti Association, Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

Photo credit: Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, Sentul.

05/08/2026

S'ng Yee Ping attended Convent Sentul for both her primary and secondary education until 1978, before moving to Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur, for her Lower 6th Form then on to Taylors College. Despite leaving, she has always remembered her alma mater with great fondness.

In Form 4, Yee Ping and her classmates, Pauline Almeida and Inderpal Kaur, brought pride to the school by winning the prestigious Kirubakaran Shield inter-school debating competition. After losing their opening round to Maxwell Boys' School, they made an impressive comeback, defeating several prominent schools including Assunta Girls' School, Convent Bukit Nanas, Bukit Bintang Girls' School, St. John's Institution, Victoria Institution and finally Methodist Boys' School to emerge as champions.

Yee Ping's most enduring legacy to Convent Sentul is the school song, Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty. In 1977, she collaborated with Pauline Almeida and Yap Swee Yoke to create the song. They believed every good school should have a school song but thought their collaboration would only be sung during their remaining two years at school. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that nearly five decades later, the song has endured and stood the test of time. The school song created so many years ago continues to be sung during the school assembly and at school celebrations.

Yee Ping emigrated many years ago and although she remembers the school fondly, she had not gone back to Convent Sentul since she left in 1978. Yee Ping finally made it a point to visit the school in January this year with her sister (who also studied there).

With her sister, Yee Ping also visited her childhood stomping ground of Jln Haji Salleh, which brought forth many warm and fond memories of a wonderful childhood.

Yee Ping says she has the Sentul: Then and Now page to thank for bringing her back to Sentul and Convent Sentul. Sentul will always hold a special place in her heart.

Do you have a story or memory of Sentul to share? We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message wherever you are in the world.

02/08/2026

One of the houses in Gian Singh's Quarters recently underwent renovation. As the house is almost a century old, its original roof tiles had to be replaced because matching replacements could no longer be sourced.

During a chance conversation with Tajinder and Gerard, who live in the neighbourhood, we discovered that several of the original century-old tiles bore the names of their manufacturers, revealing their place of origin.

The tiles were made in Feroke, Kerala, India, an industrial town renowned for its tile factories along the Chaliyar River. Among the recovered tiles, one bears the mark of Madura Co., while another is stamped The Standard Tile & Clayworks Ltd.

The original large-scale manufacturing plant operated under the Madura Co. banner in Feroke has since ceased operations. Likewise, The Standard Tile & Clayworks Ltd., established in 1916, is also reported to have closed. Nevertheless, Feroke remains an important historical landmark in Kerala's early industrial tile-making heritage.

Interestingly, salvaged roof tiles offered for resale in Yangon, Myanmar, a former British colony have also been identified as products from Feroke. This highlights the extensive distribution of Feroke-made tiles across British colonial territories in South and Southeast Asia.

At least 2 houses in this neighbourhood still retain these century-old tiles on their roofs, preserving a link from this distant land. They are quiet reminders that even the most ordinary building materials can tell extraordinary stories.

You never know what you might discover if you take the time to look a little deeper. If you have old photographs, memories, or stories about Sentul, we'd love to hear from you. Every piece helps preserve the rich history of this unique neighbourhood.

Reference: Salvaged Feroke roof tiles in Yangon, Myanmar: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/197PYQ7Rv5/

30/07/2026

Yong Hup Seng: Sentul's Last Traditional liquor Bar

Continuing the legacy established by S'ng Khiok Lim, Yong Hup Seng liquor bar was sold to the father of Tan Hooi Poong in 1978. S'ng and Tan's father were good friends.

The business has since remained under the stewardship of the Tan family, preserving its long-standing heritage. Ownership was later transferred to Tan's second brother and is now held by the third brother, while Tan, who is 75, oversees the bar's daily operations. Today, the establishment operates on a much shorter schedule, opening only from 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. each evening.

During its heyday, however, Yong Hup Seng liquor bar welcomed customers from 11.00 a.m. until 11.00 p.m. Many of its regulars arrived even earlier. As early as 6.00 a.m., railway workers would knock on its doors for a quick drink before reporting for duty at the nearby railway workshop. Most of its patrons were Chinese and Indian railway workers living in the surrounding railway quarters, earning the establishment the nickname "the cowboy bar".

Today, the clientele has changed, with most customers comprising foreign workers from the surrounding neighbourhood, reflecting Sentul's evolving social landscape. Despite these changes, the bar's interior has remained virtually untouched, preserving its authentic old-world ambience and offering a rare glimpse into Sentul's past.

Decades ago, Sentul was home to at least seven or eight traditional liquor bars, many of them clustered around the junction of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (formerly Jalan Ipoh) and Jalan Sentul. Following the closure of Chop Sin Guan bar at the end of 2024, Yong Hup Seng bar, now with a history spanning more than eight decades stands as the last surviving traditional liquor bar of its kind in Sentul, a living testament to the area's rich social and cultural heritage.

Although, Sentul has undergone remarkable changes over the years, echoes of the old neighbourhood still endure. Shop like Yong Hup Seng bar, the spirit and soul of old Sentul continue to live on, preserving a cherished link to the community's past, and staying relevant with the present.

Credit: Tan Hooi Poong

Related posts on traditional liquor bar previously posted by

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19/07/2026

S'ng Khiok Lim arrived in Malaya from Swatow, China, with his parents around 1925 when he was 15 years old. Prior to WWII, he established and operated a provision shop with a liquor bar called Yong Hup Seng at No. 2, Jalan Haji Salleh.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Yong Hup Seng was one of the largest provision shops in Sentul. Many railway workers relied on the shop for their daily necessities. In those days, many customers purchased their groceries on credit. Their purchases were faithfully recorded in the small "555" notebooks that were a common sight in neighbourhood provision shops. Having attended a Tamil school, S'ng could converse in basic Tamil, enabling him to build close relationships with many of his customers.

The shop opened daily at 7.30 a.m. and closed at 9.00 p.m. S'ng and his extended family lived above the premises, making the shop not only a business but also the heart of family life. The business was later relocated across the road to No. 31, Jalan Haji Salleh.

A firm believer in the value of education, S'ng was determined to provide all his children with quality schooling. Two of his sons became school headmasters, one of whom served at Chi Man Chinese Primary School, while his other children went on to pursue successful professional careers.

As none of his children chose to continue the family business, there was no successor to take over Yong Hup Seng. Following the sale of the liquor business, the provision shop also closed, bringing to an end a well-known family enterprise that had served the Sentul community for decades. However, the legacy of the Yong Hup Seng liquor bar started by S'ng continues to this very day under a new ownership.

The story of Yong Hup Seng stands as a reminder of the pioneering generation of immigrant shopkeepers whose dedication, resilience and close ties with their customers helped shape the social and commercial life of old Sentul.

Credit: Ping S'ng, granddaughter of Mr. S'ng Khiok Lim

15/07/2026

The People and Everyday Life That Shaped Sentul's Railway Heritage

This article celebrates the people, businesses and everyday traditions that made Sentul a thriving railway town. Beyond its railway workshops and heritage buildings, Sentul's identity was built by generations of hardworking residents whose lives revolved around the railway industry and the local marketplace.

The feature profiles several long-standing local businesses and families that have served the community for decades. These include traditional grocery shops, food vendors, craftsmen and small family-run enterprises that have continued operating despite rapid urban development and changing consumer habits. Many of these businesses have been passed down through multiple generations, preserving recipes, skills and family traditions.

The article also recounts stories from elderly residents who witnessed Sentul's transformation from a bustling railway settlement into a modern urban neighbourhood. They recall how the railway workshops created employment opportunities and fostered a close-knit community where people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds lived and worked together.

Although many original railway operations have ceased and redevelopment has changed the physical landscape, the spirit of the community remains alive through its people, traditional trades and local food culture. These personal stories provide an important link to Sentul's past and highlight the resilience of its residents in adapting to changing times.

Overall, the article concludes that preserving Sentul's heritage is not only about conserving historic buildings, but also about safeguarding the memories, livelihoods and cultural traditions of the people who gave the railway town its unique identity.

Story and photo by Sin Chew #活力福刊

13/07/2026

Sentul – A Living Mosaic of Faiths and Communities

The article showcases Sentul's rich multicultural and multi-religious heritage, highlighting how places of worship belonging to different faiths have co-existed for more than a century alongside the former railway community.

As Sentul developed into one of Malaya's most important railway towns, workers from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds settled in the area. Their presence gave rise to a variety of religious institutions that continue to serve their communities today, reflecting Malaysia's long-standing tradition of religious harmony.

The feature highlights several historic landmarks, including:

Cathedral Church of St. Joseph, Sentul, established to serve the Catholic community, particularly railway workers and their families.

Athi Eswaran Temple, an important Hindu temple that remains a centre for worship and traditional festivals.

Masjid Jamek Pekan Sentul, one of the oldest mosques in the area, which has played a central role in the local Muslim community for generations.

Gurdwara Sahib Sentul, built to serve the Sikh community, many of whom were employed in the railway sector and contributed significantly to the development of Sentul.

Beyond their religious functions, these institutions have also served as community centres, providing education, charity, social support and cultural activities that strengthen community bonds.

The article concludes that Sentul's unique concentration of churches, temples, mosques and gurdwaras within the same neighbourhood is a testament to the area's multicultural history. Together, these heritage landmarks preserve the legacy of the railway era while continuing to foster unity, mutual respect and cultural diversity in modern Kuala Lumpur.

Story and photo by Sin Chew #活力福刊

09/07/2026

Reviving Sentul Depot While Preserving Its Industrial Heritage

This article examines the conservation philosophy behind the restoration of Sentul Depot, emphasising that heritage preservation is about retaining the site's historical authenticity rather than creating a modern replica.

The project adopts an adaptive reuse approach, carefully restoring the depot's original railway workshop buildings, including the Diesel Room, while preserving distinctive architectural features such as brick walls, steel roof trusses, timber structures and weathered industrial elements. Restoration works prioritise repairing existing materials wherever possible, ensuring that the buildings continue to reflect their century-old character.

The article explains that heritage conservation requires balancing modern functionality with historical integrity. While new facilities are introduced to support exhibitions, cultural events and public use, the original industrial atmosphere remains intact, allowing visitors to appreciate the site's role in Malaysia's railway history.

The restoration team also highlights the importance of preserving the surrounding landscape, including mature trees and open spaces that have become part of the depot's identity over many decades. Instead of replacing these natural features, they have been integrated into the overall master plan.

The article further notes that the revitalisation of Sentul Depot is intended to create a sustainable cultural destination that celebrates Malaysia's industrial heritage while contributing to urban regeneration, tourism and community engagement.

Overall, the feature demonstrates how thoughtful conservation can transform a disused railway workshop into a vibrant public space without compromising its historical significance, ensuring that the legacy of Malaysia's railway industry is preserved for future generations.

Story and photo by Sin Chew #活力福刊

03/07/2026

Revitalising the Old Railway Depot – Preserving Industrial Heritage for the Future

The article highlights the adaptive reuse of Kuala Lumpur's historic old railway depot (Sentul Depot), a century-old industrial site that is being transformed into a vibrant cultural and public space while preserving its historical identity.

Originally built as part of the Federated Malay States Railways workshops, the depot played a vital role in Malaysia's railway development and industrialisation. Although many of its original functions have ceased, the site's distinctive brick buildings, steel structures and mature rain trees remain important reminders of the nation's railway heritage.

Rather than demolishing the aging buildings, the restoration project focuses on conservation through adaptive reuse, maintaining the original architectural character while introducing new functions such as exhibition spaces, event venues, recreational areas and community facilities. Several restored buildings, including the Pickel Depot, Grumpy Bagels 1905 and Sentul Pavilion, demonstrate how historical industrial structures can be integrated into modern urban life.

The article also highlights the site's natural landscape, including century-old trees that have become part of the depot's identity, creating a unique blend of industrial heritage and green public space.

Overall, the feature presents the former railway depot as an excellent example of heritage conservation, showing how historic industrial sites can be revitalised to support tourism, cultural activities and community engagement while preserving an important chapter of Malaysia's railway history.

Story and photo by Sin Chew #活力福刊

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