(CNN)Kampung Baru is a village lost in time.
Located in the heart of Malaysia"s cosmopolitan capital, Kuala Lumpur, the small estate is comprised of century-old houses that are home to timeless Malay traditions.
Having resisted resisted modern development since 1900, when it was first sectioned off by British colonialists, the pocket of land is a symbol of the past.
Frequented by locals and tourists alike for its famous food stalls and traditional nasi lamak rice dish, Kampung Baruoffers a rare glimpse into an untouched ethnic Malay lifestyle and is home to families who have lived there for generations.
One of my favorite photographs is of a motorcycle zooming past an alley, while the Petronas Twin Towers stands tall and mighty in the background, enveloped in a haze. Thanks to the haze, the photograph emanates a surreal, art-like quality.
What do you hope people will think or feel when they see this photo series?
I hope that people, especially former and present Kampung Baru residents, develop an awareness and deeper appreciation for the need to protect their identity, heritage, culture and land that has been passed to them.
These are our local traditions, our cultural practices, and we cannot afford to ignore the reality that surrounds this issue.
Kamal Sellehuddin"s exhibit on Kampung Baru will run from 7 September - 7 October at Transit Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/14/arts/kamal-photographer-malaysia/index.html
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