PETALING JAYA: Sekinchan, a town in Selangor's Sabak Bernam district, has a rich history shaped by Chinese settlers. Over 100 years old, Sekinchan began as a fishing village known as Ang Mo Gang, later evolving into a key paddy-producing area, which gave the town its current name, meaning "suitable for planting."

Eric Lee, a Sekinchan native, felt compelled to document the town’s history. Starting in 2020, he interviewed elderly residents and visited archives, capturing the untold story of its Chinese settlers. Lee uncovered how British colonialists in 1938 allocated land to Chinese immigrants for paddy cultivation, after tin mining declined. The town faced hardship during the Malayan Emergency, with residents relocated to concentration camps that later became new villages.

Despite struggles, Sekinchan thrived post-1958, after the peaceful surrender of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP). Lee also highlights the Datuk Kong temple and the red wishing tree by Pantai Redang as significant cultural landmarks, reflecting the town’s enduring spirit.

Tourism is booming in Sekinchan, which continues to celebrate Chinese New Year with vibrant traditions. Lee shared a poignant story about Yap Kim Dai, a 90-year-old former MCP member, who secretly supported the communist cause in Sekinchan. Despite the hardships of the past, the town remains a close-knit community, preserving its heritage for future generations.