Old meets new in Johor Baru

The Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex is the main entry and exit point for both locals and Singaporeans to travel between Johor and Singapore.

JOHOR BARU: Johor Baru, a city founded in 1855 as a small fishing village, is poised to emerge from the shadows of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

The Johor Baru parliamentary constituency comprising Tanjong Puteri and Stulang state seats has come a long way, especially after the inception of the country’s first economic growth corridor Iskandar Malaysia on Nov 4, 2006.

The presence of developers from China and foreign investments have changed the landscape of Johor Baru drastically with towering skyscrapers, but the old charm can still be felt by locals and visitors here.

As Johor is poised to become the new economic powerhouse in the region, its capital city would be the main focal point to achieve it.

The Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) is the way of the future that will surely bring major economic growth into the state’s capital.

Those looking forward to the developments is Johorean IT manager V. Rajagopal, 35, who said he was happy with the changes happening in his city.

The scenery in Stulang Laut is expected to change following the agreement for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) between Johor Baru and Singapore. — Photos: ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG/The Star

“We can see that Johor Baru is moving forward as a city, which is good because it will bring in more opportunities for the locals, especially fresh graduates as they do not have to go elsewhere to find jobs.

“Unfortunately, despite all the positive changes, some people’s mentality have not changed because there are still those who throw rubbish in public areas and this must be addressed,” he said.

Retiree Abdul Rahman Yusof, 65, said traffic congestion here was becoming worse because more vehicles were on the road.

“Weekends are the worst because Singapore-registered vehicles will throng Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) to return home.

“I do hope with the RTS and other modes of public transportation, it will put an end to the problem,” he said.

Accountant Goh Kim Swee, 25, said the opening of trendy cafes has put Johor Baru on par with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

“Most of these cafes are owned by youths, which is encouraging, because they choose to contribute to the local economy.

“The authorities should encourage more youths to do the same,” she said.

Bank officer Edward Lee, 31, said there should be more public parks in Johor Baru where people can spend quality time with their families and exercise.

“Most of the public parks are located within gated residential areas. Taman Merdeka public park, for example, is packed with people especially on Fridays and Saturdays but there are no streetlights there, so it is dangerous at night especially for joggers like me who prefer to run at night,” he said.

Housewife Norhamidah Ismail, 43, said the roads here were in bad condition.

“The Eastern Dispersal Link is bumpy and there is no maintenance after the abolishment of tolls here.

“Many streetlights are out of order which is bad for road users,” she said.

College student V. Saanvi, 20, said the presence of beggars and illegal parking attendants should be addressed for Johor Baru to become a metropolitan city.

“Most of them (beggars) are foreigners and they give the city a bad image.

“Illegal parking attendants are opportunists because they will ask motorists for money to help them find a parking spot,” she said.