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  Participants move a traditional atap house to the KLPac compound. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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  About 300 people participate in the event. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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  Participants are local people of various races and foreigners. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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  Participants carefully move the house under a padestrian bridge. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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  Participants show the spirit of team work. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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  The event is conceived by film-maker Liew Seng Tat. (Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

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Translated by YOU HSUEH LIN

KUALA LUMPUR: It was so bustling at Jalan Ipoh on 26 June 2010. A lot of citizens could not believe in what they had seen. They saw a traditional atap house moving at the downtown area. To put it more precisely, a group of people were "moving" a house!

People may heard about the culture of "house lifting" (Angkat Rumah) in Malay Kampung. Villagers will carry a house on their shoulders and take it to where they want to move it.

The event was conceived by film-maker Liew Seng Tat and participated by about 300 people.

The Project Angkat Rumah was participated by people of various races and foreigners to experience the special Malaysian culture. They carried the atap house weighted 1.5 tons from Sekolah Kebangsaan Sentul Utama to The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). Initially, they needed to walk only about 1.3km to reach the location. However, as there were many obstacles such as electric wire or flyover along the way, they had to take another route requiring them to walk an additional 0.7km.

People applaud and cheer

The "house lifting" project was like a carnival. There was a lion dance troupe made up of mostly Indian students, the kompang players and a small marching band which led the way. The event attracted the attention many people and the media. Some of them joined in the parade, applauded, sang and danced. It was so cheerful all the way.

When they reached at KLPac, the sponsor prepared a traditional Malay feast for the participants. The participants also helped to paint the house while having delicious food. They had totally experienced the culture of Malay Kampung.

Batu PKR Member of Parliament Tian Chua, a few local directors and actors were among those who took part in the event.

Liew Seng Tat, the originator and chief director of the event, said that he and his family liked the Malay traditional culture, especially traditional activities that could show the spirit of team work. He believed that the event would be touching.

It was organised in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the KLPac and to remind the people of the importance of team work.

He also told Sin Chew Daily that the most challenging part was, there were many unpredictable and unexpected problems. They received the permit only two days before the event, and they faced some unexpected problems along the way.

Sin Chew Daily