Some might know him as a dedicated school teacher and well-loved grassroots politician. But more than that, Lee Kim Sin, fondly known as Cikgu Lee, had a great passion for history and heritage.
Popularly known as Cikgu Lee because he was a biology teacher for 20 years in different parts of Malaysia, Lee was also a recognisable figure because he's been active in social work since 1997. He taught at Kajang’s SMJK Yu Hua before running for the state seat in the 2008 General Election. Later, he left politics to concentrate on community and heritage work.
Lee died of a heart attack in May last year. He was 66. This short documentary film, created by community arts outfit Village Vision, is a tribute to Cikgu Lee's work surrounding community engagement and cultural mapping. The social reformer/heritage advocate worked tirelessly to document the history of the Hulu Langat area and its mukims and was also the director of the Kajang Heritage Centre. He was also a keen researcher on the Sin Sze Si Ya temples.