The disappearing Malay enclave in the heart of the city

Located in the heart of the capital city, Kampung Baru is a well-known Malay community surrounded by towering skyscrapers.

Kampung Baru was formed more than 110 years ago and is home to some 37,000 residents in eight smaller villages.

Since 2016, there have been multiple efforts to develop the land for commercial purposes. Shahzemir Shahzulkarib (right), 39, is among those who have been resisting such efforts. He, along with Mohd Khairil Ramlee (second from right), 47, and Mohd Shukor Othman, 57, were rudely awakened one day by the sound of heavy machinery in their neighbourhood.

A bulldozer pauses from its work of tearing down a block of flats. The residents claim the developer is encroaching on their land and demolishing units that are still occupied.

Workers survey the scene which is littered with furniture and scrap metal from the building.

The demolition work continues despite protest from the residents.

Metal poles are put up around the flats.

Residents Anuar Ahmad, Rozana Aini and several other residents discuss what to do next.

Mohd Danish Saiful Baharin, 33, packs some of his late grandmother's belongings to be taken to a safe place.

While many residents have decided to leave, a group of 74 who disagree remain in the neighbourhood.

On the second floor of Block B, senior citizen Halijah Mat watches as contract workers continue putting up steel poles.

Resident Zura and her husband check their belongings after realising that their unit had been broken into. Several personal items were taken, along with their motorcycle and a bicycle.

Zura, who has been very stressed about their situation, holds up a booklet from the psychiatry and mental health department at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Shahzemir Shahzulkarib explains developments to other residents after a trip to Parliament to meet with several people whom they had hoped would be able to help.

He points to some wood which was set on fire, nearly igniting the kitchen roof of a flat unit.

Residents chat outside their homes in Kampung Sungai Baru, against the towering backdrop of the Petronas Twin Towers.