The structure is one of the oldest surviving traditional Malay houses in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Patrick Goh/The Edge)
Gazetted by Jabatan Warisan Negara (the Department of National Heritage) as a Heritage Object under the National Heritage Act, Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman remains one of the finest examples of Malay vernacular architecture. Likely constructed in stages between 1910 and 1930, the beautiful timber house was originally owned by the headman of Mukim Bagan Samak, from the small village of Kg Sungai Kechil in the northern state of Kedah. Having fallen into disrepair, it was rescued, relocated and lovingly restored by Badan Warisan Malaysia (the Heritage of Malaysia Trust) as part of a Unesco award-winning restoration project in 1996.
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For those unaware, Badan Warisan was established 43 years ago with the main mission of highlighting heritage issues and advocating for a conservation-friendly environment in Malaysia. Today, its treasured kampung house is a key highlight for all visitors to Badan Warisan. A lone but proud traditional structure, it stands like a small sentinel amid the city’s sea of skyscrapers and is the core of the Trust’s cultural and community outreach work. Guided tours to the house are available, with access to explore its interiors. What has been attracting more attention of late, however, is what lies outside the Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman.
For eight long months, the team at Badan Warisan have been hard at work revitalising the traditional herb and heritage garden that surrounds the kampung house. Roping in the talents of superlative landscape architect Inch Lim, with the support of SLB, Yayasan Hasanah and the Pentago Group, the team at Badan Warisan has succeeded in creating a little garden that evokes the memory of small planted plots ubiquitous across old Malaya in the early days of independence.
The heritage garden was a project that dates back to 2004, established to highlight the loss of urban green spaces as well as to foster, nurture and inspire greater appreciation for our rich natural heritage, which remains under threat. Working with Rimba Ilmu of Universiti Malaya, the garden features more than 50 species of trees and plants of environmental, cultural and historical interest.
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Recently reopened to the public, the newly named Heritage Kampung Garden in the City continues on its original mission, which is to offer a small but much-needed slice of nature as well as serve as a living classroom. Anyone is welcome to come celebrate the joy of green spaces or the simple pleasure of seeing plants and flowers being nurtured. Under Lim’s artistic eye, the garden is now bursting with colour. Fish dart about in the tiered pond. A footbridge invites exploration and guests can learn about the various herbs and medicinal plants that have long held starring roles in traditional culinary and medicinal traditions or simply admire their beauty.
The Heritage Kampung Garden in the City is at 2 Jalan Stonor, KL, and is open from Tues to Sat, 9:30am to 4pm. Entrance is free.
This article first appeared in issue No. 119, Spring 2026 of Haven.
