Residents seek better healthcare, housing and jobs while welcoming progress
YONG PENG, a town tucked between Batu Pahat and Kluang in Johor, literally translates to “everlasting peace” in Mandarin.
It is a popular stopover for both local and foreign tourists.
Over the past few years, residents have seen Yong Peng undergo a significant transformation while retaining its small-town charm and laidback nature.
Restaurant owner Ting Chew Zian, 48, who spent more than two decades working in Singapore’s food and beverage industry before returning to Yong Peng five years ago, said he was surprised by how much the town had changed.
“Previously, Yong Peng was considered a small kampung. Now, it is quite different in terms of development and tourism products,” he told StarMetro.
“People are also getting to know Yong Peng more because of many activities like durian buffets and festive events.”
Ting, who opened his restaurant along Jalan Besar after returning to care for his ageing parents, said he also noticed a more visible presence of community leaders in recent years.
“Before the last election, I felt Yong Peng was like an orphan and neglected.
“We seldom saw politicians and elected representatives.
“But in the past four years, we can see the assemblyman, local councillors and community leaders actively engaging with residents, even outside official events,” he said, adding that it was common to see them mingling with locals at coffeeshops and morning markets.
He added that he was proud to call Yong Peng home, as it was now quite complete with recreational facilities such as basketball courts and public spaces for youths and residents.
Cendol vendor A. Sundari, 37, who moved to Yong Peng when she was a child, said growth of commercial activities had created job opportunities for locals.
“This could also encourage youths to return and contribute to the local economy.
“On weekends, many visitors come to Yong Peng for day trips or short stays to enjoy our food and local products so there are opportunities here,” she said.
She added that Yong Peng’s food scene remained one of its biggest attractions with options such as nasi briyani, Yong Peng handmade fishballs and traditional biscuits.
Sundari, who helps out at her uncle’s cendol stall in Jalan Tenteram, said the town would benefit from more facilities, such as a cinema, more housing options and a hospital to reduce residents’ reliance on Batu Pahat for specialised healthcare.
For car wash operator Mohd Ibdisham Mustajab, 32, the rising cost of living remains a major concern even for small town residents like him.
“The rising cost of education is also a burden for my family, as my two children have to go for tuition from a young age to keep up with their studies.
“We spend about RM500 for their tuition, including Chinese classes to ensure they remain competitive in the future, and additional fees for religious and enrichment classes,” he said.
Mohd Ibdisham, who also runs a lorry rental business, said the diesel price increase due to geopolitical events affected him too.
“These challenges have made it difficult for some in the industry to continue.
“Many of my peers cannot cope and have had to close their businesses,” he said.
Meanwhile, housewife Lim Mei Chee, 62, said the arrival of larger retail and food and beverage brands had reduced the need for residents to travel some 28km to Batu Pahat for certain goods and services.
“It has given us so much more convenience compared to before where we relied on small shops.
“There has also been improvements in roads and public parks.
“The Yong Peng Walk has become a popular spot for residents and visitors to stroll, take photos and enjoy local snacks,” said the Kampung Baru Lam Lee resident.
Lim said she hoped further additions such as pickleball courts would help attract more visitors and create opportunities for younger generations to remain in Yong Peng.
Besides strengthening tourism, she said expanding facilities and creating more jobs were key to ensuring Yong Peng continued growing while preserving its small-town identity.
Yong Peng, a Chinese-majority area, is a state seat under the Ayer Hitam parliamentary constituency.
According to ElectionData.my, in the 15th Johor state election held on March 12, 2022, Yong Peng saw a voter turnout of 19,017 or 57.5%.
Barisan Nasional’s Ling Tian Soon won the election with 9,870 votes, defeating Pakatan Harapan’s Alan Tee Boon Tsong by a majority of 2,741 votes.
Tee polled 7,129 votes, while Perikatan Nasional’s Susan Yong Fui Ling garnered 1,681 votes.
MCA’s Ling went on to be appointed the Johor health and environment committee chairman.
