Rumah Api is an alternative space in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to spreading the DIY punk ethos of non-conformity and counterculture in its area. It operates by putting into practice broader societal values of self-organization, solidarity, and people working together to build stronger communities. Inspired by spaces such as 924 Gilman in the US, Ungdomshuset in Copenhagen, or Köpi in Berlin, Rumah Api (which translates to “House of Fire”) is committed to making punk a real alternative movement for young people in Malaysia. Fundamentally opposed to any form of discrimination or violence, this anarchist punk house has been targeted and attacked numerous times in the past by either the cops, Malay Power skinheads, or the city council.
Unfortunately, despite their long and exhausting struggles—which included helping mobilize local communities to resist the construction of the controversial Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang (SUKE) highway and save the old punk house sitting on the main road of the construction plans—the house was eventually demolished. The people of Pekan Ampang subsequently lost the fight against the Malaysia 2020 Vision development plans and lost a unique space that valued self-governance and freedom over power and profits.
Interested in the present state of Rumah Api after the crew relocated to its new home in a state-owned building, we’ve had a conversation with Man Beranak, an original founding member of the collective punk house.
Can you start with a brief introduction to Rumah Api and how it came to be?
We started around the end of 2010. Before becoming Rumah Api, the place was called Gudang Noisy and was run by someone else. After the tenant of Gudang Noisy fell behind on rent and ended up owing a lot of money, the landlord kicked him out. That person was really close to me and asked me to take care of the place. That’s how my friends and I started Rumah Api as a collective punk house.
Why did you change the location and what’s different about the current space compared to the old house? I think you were forced to leave because of a controversial highway project affecting the whole community in Pekan Ampang. What actually happened during that time?
We changed the location because the government wanted to demolish the building to make way for a new highway called SUKE. Yes, they forced us to leave and paid some compensation to Rumah Api and the landlord. We protested and spread flyers to inform people how bad this highway would be for the area and the neighbors, but in the end, the landlords agreed to have their building demolished because they got a lot of money from the government.
Tell me about Kuala Lumpur and the place where Rumah Api is situated right now. What’s the current situation with the authorities, and do you still face any threats of eviction or police raids at punk gigs, even at the new location?
Kuala Lumpur sucks. There’s huge traffic all the time. Rumah Api is now located on the 18th floor of a City Council building in Pandan Indah. So far, we haven’t had any problems with the authorities at the new place.
What are the guiding principles and values for Rumah Api? Do you all see punk as a vehicle for social change, and how do you continue to interact with society outside of the punk subculture?
Rumah Api still exists by the punk principles: ‘no racism, no sexism, no homophobia, etc.’ Actually, the community in Kuala Lumpur knows about Rumah Api. Some people agree with what we’re doing, and some do not. Mostly, they don’t agree with us supporting LGBTQIA+ causes because, as you know, Malaysia is a Muslim country. So maybe it will take more time to deal with these people.
How many people are involved in running Rumah Api, and what kind of group dynamics do you maintain? How do you make decisions, and who can participate in the collective?
Right now, we have almost 20 people involved in running the space. Anyone can participate, and when it comes to making decisions, we vote—decisions are made by majority rule.
What kind of activities take place in your space? Do you still have Really Really Free Market and Food Not Bombs groups operating in Kuala Lumpur? What are some other antiauthoritarian and autonomous collectives outside of Rumah Api that you work closely with?
Besides gigs, we’re now hosting a talk show, our own radio podcast, and producing a zine. We stopped doing RRFM and FNB since it’s hard for us to run those in the new place. As far as I know, FNB is now run by other people who are not from Rumah Api. Honestly, I’m not sure if FNB is still operating or not. Other autonomous collectives we’re closely connected with are The Wall from Batu Pahat, Johor, and The Key in Melaka.
Do you still run the festival Chaos in Rumah Api? How did it come to be, and what were the most exciting moments in organizing such an event?
Last year (2017), we stopped organizing the festival. But I think this year we might try it again at the new place—we’ll see. For sure, meeting so many new and old friends from around the world at the festival was always the most exciting part.
How does the hardcore punk scene in Malaysia look at the moment? Are there any great bands, zines, or labels from the local scene that you’d recommend us checking out?
Right now, it’s doing great. There are many good bands, good labels, a record store, and lots of hardcore punk shows happening every week.
You can check some local bands here.
Find some labels and zines here.
What are some of the best foreign bands that have played at Rumah Api recently?
D.O.A, M.D.C, The Restarts, Mob 47, Lubricant, Daily Ritual, Lich King, Rotten Sound, Wormrot, arghhh…. There is a lot to list
Would you say there is a strong DIY network among the people and collectives who are into hardcore, punk, crust, grind, screamo, etc., in Southeast Asia? Some sort of mutual support between them?
Yes, we have a strong local DIY network and also contacts around Southeast Asia. If some of the collectives in Southeast Asia get into trouble, solidarity initiatives will happen all around the region, mostly in Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
What’s the political situation in Malaysia from your own perspective? How does the global political climate also affect Malaysia, and what are the pressing issues that you face on a daily basis?
We have been constantly fucked by this country for a long time. The ex-prime minister is extremely corrupt. We are doomed because of the bad economic policies of the country. Right now, the current prime minister is trying to fix the economy.
Support each other to survive the damage.