Dual triumphalist heritage narrative and the sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement

This chapter examines the evolving discourses in the preservation movement of the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement (SBLS) that emerged in 2007 as a resistance against its demolition. With destigmatisation of leprosy as a core objective, the movement interprets colonial governance in positive terms and presents oral history accounts of former leprosy sufferers as testimonies of triumph and resilience. The resultant dual triumphalist heritage narrative tells not only about the settlement’s past but also about the nature of the movement. In addition to problematising the movement’s heritage preservation discourse, this chapter also examines the roles played by various actors in the movement and the historical and contemporary contexts that shaped and continue to shape both the community’s and the movement’s strategies.