Revitalising Pasar Awam Kluang: A Community-Led Transformation

The Role of Public Markets in Our Communities

Public markets—known as pasar in Malaysia—have long been the heart of local communities. More than just places to buy and sell goods, they are social hubs where people connect, share stories and sustain local economies.

Across Malaysia, traditional markets play a vital role in shaping cultural identity, preserving heritage, and fostering entrepreneurship. However, as cities evolve and consumer habits shift towards supermarkets, malls, and online shopping, many markets struggle to stay relevant.

The Market Cities Program, which developed seven principles for successful market cities, emphasises that markets should go beyond commerce. They serve as natural gathering places, bringing together different stakeholders and acting as connectors across various disciplines and sectors.

So, how can we make public markets relevant again?

Pasar Awam Kluang is a public market operating since 1986.

Reimagining Pasar Awam Kluang

Rejoin Collective has been hosting youth-centred activities, such as Pasar Lab and Master Chef Junior, at Pasar Awam Kluang to revitalise the space and attract more visitors to the public market.

Nestled in the heart of Kluang, Johor, Pasar Awam Kluang has been a community staple since 1986. On a typical day, the market comes alive between 3 AM and 9 AM, buzzing with vendors and customers. But by midday, it falls silent. Despite having ample space, much of it remains unused, leaving the market underutilised.

Recognising this challenge, passionate youths have been working to reimagine Pasar Awam Kluang as more than just a marketplace. Enter Rejoin Collective, a local NGO made up of seven members committed to turning the market into a vibrant community space through a series of creative and educational activities.

Meet Amirul: Tackling the Challenges Head-On

One of the key figures in this effort is Amirul Hakim Jamil, who plays a crucial role in engaging with the local council and government agencies to navigate the bureaucratic landscape of revitalising the market.

Amirul, one of the members of Rejoin Collective.

According to Amirul, the issue isn’t a lack of community—it’s the market building itself that has lost relevance to the people of Kluang:

I wouldn't say there's a lack of community development in Kluang; it's a town with a strong community spirit. However, the Pasar Awam Kluang building itself, while a vibrant hub in 1986, has since become outdated. Its design no longer facilitates community interaction as effectively, especially with shifts in consumer preferences towards modern markets.

Key Challenges Facing Pasar Awam Kluang

Through his work with Rejoin Collective, Amirul has identified several key challenges that need to be addressed:

Economic Sustainability – The market’s outdated design limits business opportunities, forcing the community to rely on alternative funding sources like crowdfunding, volunteer efforts, donations, and grants.
Bureaucratic Hurdles – While the city council has been supportive, navigating the approval process remains slow and complex.
Communication Gaps – There is a disconnect between the city council and community groups, particularly the creative youth community, who want to bring new life to the space.

Rejoin Collective organises community activities to attract visitors to the market, including guided tours and art exhibitions.

Despite these challenges, efforts to transform Pasar Awam Kluang into a thriving public space are well underway. By fostering collaboration, engaging stakeholders, and rethinking how the market serves the community, Rejoin Collective is proving that public markets can evolve and remain relevant in today’s urban landscape.

A Community-Led Effort to Revitalise Pasar Awam Kluang

With the three key challenges in mind, Rejoin Collective has taken a community-first approach to reactivating Pasar Awam Kluang. Their efforts gained momentum in mid-2023 when they secured an RM40,000 grant from the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia – Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM SDG).

With support from APPGM SDG, Rejoin Collective cleaned and repaired several lots within Pasar Awam Kluang, laying the foundation for its rejuvenation and community-driven revival.

With these funds, the collective set out to repair the market’s roof and rent several lots within the building as their operational space. Once the cleaning and repairs were completed, they wasted no time in bringing the market back to life—organising youth-centric activities to help younger generations build a stronger connection to the space.

But revitalising a market isn’t a one-person job—it takes a village. Behind the scenes, Rejoin Collective has been collaborating with multiple stakeholders to make this transformation possible.

As part of their Master Chef Junior initiative, Rejoin Collective organised a cooking class for high school students, guiding them through the process of purchasing fresh ingredients from the wet market before learning to prepare a meal.

Key Stakeholders Driving Change

The revitalisation of Pasar Awam Kluang is supported by a diverse group of organisations and individuals, including:

APPGM SDG – Provided the funding to kickstart the project.
Majlis Perbandaran Kluang – The local council and owner of the building.
Brandbutter – A local business renting space in the market.
Pertubuhan Karyasama Johor – A community-driven organisation supporting the initiative.
Rejoin Collective Association – The driving force behind the revitalisation efforts.
Kluang Members of Parliament – Providing advocacy and support for the initiative.

According to Amirul, these partnerships have been instrumental in bringing together different skill sets and navigating the complexities of community projects:

We've benefited from a distributed leadership model, with individuals focusing on specific areas like bureaucratic navigation, art curation, grant management, volunteer coordination, construction, media relations, and electrical work. This diverse skill set, along with multilingual communication (Malay, English, and Chinese), has been essential for effective public engagement and legal processes.

Members of Rejoin Collective embrace a distributed leadership model, allowing their diverse skill sets to flourish.

This approach enables them to effectively navigate the complexities of community projects, fostering communication and collaboration across various age groups and backgrounds.

Challenges of Community-Led Revitalisation

While collaboration is essential, working with multiple stakeholders, government bodies, and the community comes with challenges, such as:

Differing Perspectives & Misunderstandings – Conflicts between community leaders can sometimes create negative narratives, leading to friction in decision-making.
Tensions Between Local & State Governments – Differing priorities between local initiatives and state-level urban planning can create roadblocks.
Transparency & Accountability Issues – Some individuals may view grants as personal profit opportunities, making it crucial to maintain clear financial oversight.

To navigate these challenges, Rejoin Collective has focused on three core principles:

Open Communication & Consultation – Encouraging dialogue and seeking external perspectives to resolve conflicts constructively.
Focusing on Shared Goals – Keeping the project’s bigger mission in mind to unite stakeholders and reduce personal agendas.
Promoting Transparency & Accountability – Implementing clear financial processes and regular reporting to build trust and ensure ethical use of funds.

Despite these obstacles, Amirul and his team at Rejoin Collective remain committed to the long-term vision of making Pasar Awam Kluang a thriving, community-driven public space.

As part of its community initiatives at Pasar Awam Kluang, Rejoin Collective organised a food waste management workshop, teaching participants about soil health and worm composting.

Lessons from Pasar Awam Kluang: Advice for Community-Led Projects

Amirul’s work with Rejoin Collective proves that revitalisation is a journey, not a one-time fix. Meaningful change takes time, persistence, and teamwork. For others working on community-driven projects, Amirul shares these key insights:

Don’t Give Up Easily – When faced with negativity, consult with others internally and externally. Taking a break or restructuring collaborations can help keep momentum going.
Engage in Democratic Processes – Participate in meetings, voice your opinions, and support leaders who align with your values. Constructive engagement is more effective than criticism.
Foster Independent Organisations – Encourage the formation of NGOs and CSOs to provide balanced perspectives alongside businesses and political entities.
Recognise the Importance of Resources & Expertise – Financial sustainability is key. Skilled professionals are often more valuable than large numbers of volunteers. Thorough documentation ensures knowledge transfer for future continuity.

An unused space at Pasar Awam Kluang, brimming with potential for transformation through Rejoin Collective’s rejuvenation efforts.

The revitalisation of Pasar Awam Kluang is just getting started—but it stands as a powerful example of how community-driven efforts can reshape underutilised spaces into thriving, meaningful places. But this journey is far from over. Sustainable, community-led initiatives require ongoing support, participation, and fresh ideas.

Whether you're a local resident, an entrepreneur, an artist, or someone who believes in the power of community spaces, there are plenty of ways to get involved and contribute. If you are interested in contributing or participating in Rejoin Collective’s effort with Pasar Awam Kluang, reach out to them on their Instagram page at @rejoin86000

Photos in this article are taken by @desgin_studio and @chenghui0706