TWENTY-FIVE years ago, a well-known landmark in Bangi town was Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, located near the North-South Expressway Bangi toll exit.
Since then, other learning institutions have been established nearby, including Universiti Tenaga Nasional.
I used to live in Section 2, Bandar Baru Bangi. When I was 11, I moved to Section 3.
Growing up, it was common for pupils to go to primary and religious schools at the same time.
The tahfiz pupils wore purple sarong and samping, and were mainly taught to recite the Quran, Muslim way of living, history (sirah) and Jawi script (khat).
Most of my schoolmates attended tahfiz school.
It was normal to see pupils going to school either on foot, passing by neighbours’ houses, or in private vans.
I went to SRK Jalan 2 and later SMK Jalan 2.
The distance between these schools was short, with the route flanked by shady trees, which were later cut down to build a road.
Later on, SRK Jalan 3 and SMK Jalan 3 were built in Section 3. New schools also were built in Section 4.
Locals knew a shortcut to schools in Section 2 and Section 3, which cuts across a pedestrian road along a large field.
However, parents often forbade their children from using this pathway as it was secluded.
Some pupils who attended primary school in the morning would go to a transit children nursery, or babysitter, to spend their time before they start their afternoon session in the religious school. The babysitters comprised housewives who cooked meals and provided a place for the pupils to change their clothes.
As a close-knit neighbourhood, it was common for pupils to go from house to house during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and I often visited the homes of my classmates. Parents knew their children’s friends well, including their siblings.
Some schoolmates still maintain the close bond they built over the years. My schoolmates travelled to the United States, Germany, South Korea, Japan, India and Indonesia to become doctors, engineers and scientists.
During primary school, familiar faces could be seen at famous shops.
One of those shops was Kedai Keat Seong, which sold groceries, comics, and Tamiya toy cars, which collectors coveted. The Syabab Bookstore had a collection of Siri Salma detective adventure stories for fans like myself.
The shops were near the old Bandar Baru Bangi police station, along a stretch of shoplots, in Section 1.
The new police station was located next to the Bangi Fire and Rescue Department in Section 16, which is an industrial area.
There was also a morning market, which served a delicious breakfast spread, near the shops and old police station.
Parents often spent their weekends here while their children attended co-curricular activities at school.
When I was in primary school, I was a prefect and a member of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.
I also played handball and the gamelan musical instrument.
In secondary school, I was still a prefect and joined Kadet Remaja Sekolah.
I also enrolled in taekwondo classes at a hall near SRK Jalan 2.
Later on, Masjid Al-Umm was built on the site.
In Bandar Baru Bangi, local folks often identified a location based on nearby praying areas. A well-known landmark was Surau An-Nur in Section 1 for Friday prayers.
With growing population, more mosques were built, including Masjid Al-Hasanah in Section 9.
Meanwhile, to shop for school uniform, I usually travelled to Ali Store in Kajang as there were no shopping malls in Bandar Baru Bangi then.
Among the earliest structures here were Warta Complex, now known as KIPMALL Bangi, and Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) Complex.
When I was in lower secondary, KTM Komuter services were introduced. We could take a train from Kajang station to Seputeh station to go to Mid Valley Megamall.
After my Penilaian Menengah Rendah examination, I left to pursue my studies at Mara Junior Science College in Pontian, Johor.
In that period, scores of development took place in my hometown, including the construction of Mutiara Bangi, a high-end residential area.
Others included Lake Cempaka Villa, a scenic spot to hold weddings, near Taman Tasik Cempaka, and new shopping malls such as Bangi Gateway and EVO Mall.
What used to be a residential and university town was packed during Ramadan with women folk thronging the Bangi Sentral shopping hub, where entre-preneurs set up boutiques.
This town is also home to fashion and beauty product brands, owned by celebrities.
The latest development is the construction of a mass rapid transit station adjacent to the KTM Komuter station in Kajang, the nearest town to Bandar Baru Bangi.
I recall the time when we used to wait for taxis at the bus station, but everything has since chan-ged.
Although my hometown is no longer a quiet place, I rejoice at its improved public transport, better connectivity and access, education opportunities and shopping destinations now.