Happy TravellerWelcome to Jenjarom, a quaint town located in the Kuala Langat District of Selangor state in Malaysia. With a population of around 30,000, Jenjarom is a unique blend of culture and heritage. Around 95% of its residents are Hokkien Chinese, and the Hokkien dialect is the primary language used locally. The town is also administered by the Zones 9, 10 (Chinese) and 6 (Malay) of the Kuala Langat Municipal Council.
Jenjarom was initially an agricultural village in the early 20th century, with just a dozen shops along the main street. However, during the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s, New Villages were set up to segregate rural Chinese villagers from the insurgents, and Jenjarom was one of them. Today, it is the largest such village in the state, with a population of around 5,000.
In the early years of independent Malaysia, on 26 April 1967, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman visited the burgeoning town and announced an upgrade to its infrastructure, which was then implemented under the Second Malaysia Plan. Industrial activity in Jenjarom increased, along with the development of palm oil production in the surrounding land.
Jenjarom is now known for its attractions, notably Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple, which serves the Chinese Buddhist population, and Ban Siew Keng Temple and Tung Loh Temple. These temples are a testament to the town’s rich heritage and culture, and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Jenjarom has had its fair share of issues, including gangsterism, gambling, prostitution, and drug trafficking, but these troubles have subsided. However, the town has been in the news for illegal plastic waste processing. After China banned nearly all plastic waste imports in 2018, around 40 factories were set up around Jenjarom to take up some of the business. Most of these factories were illegal and burned unrecyclable plastics, releasing poisonous and carcinogenic fumes into the atmosphere, causing respiratory complaints and skin rashes among local people.
Despite its past issues, Jenjarom remains a charming town with a unique blend of culture and heritage. Visit Jenjarom to experience its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine.
