Locals cherish old-town charm, but looking forward to wider transport network
ONCE known for its vast pineapple plantations, Pekan Nanas is home to an increasing number of factories and businesses.
Locals say the town has seen steady development over the years and evolved into a place that offers growing employment opportunities while retaining its old-town charm.
Housewife Chang Lee Lee, 50, said Pekan Nanas had undergone significant changes over the years, transforming from a town that relied heavily on pineapple farming into one with growing industrial development.
“Pekan Nanas is known as a pineapple town, and many of us used to depend on agriculture for our livelihoods.
“Over the years, more factories have been built, creating plenty of job opportunities.
“There are now many foreign companies, including those from Japan, investing here so it is no longer difficult for people to find work without having to travel far,” she said.
She added that Pekan Nanas remained a convenient place to live, with schools, markets and many other facilities providing residents easy access to daily necessities.
K. Pougeneswary, 29, echoed the view, saying Pekan Nanas had undergone steady development in recent years, especially the expansion of industrial activities around the constituency.
“In the past, many young people had to leave Pekan Nanas to look for stable jobs in Singapore or other cities.
“That is no longer the case, since there are opportunities here as well, giving locals the option to remain in the area while still getting decent employment.
“We are also seeing people from cities like Johor Baru coming here to work,” she said, adding that this showed how far the town had developed.
Pougeneswary hopes Pekan Nanas, in the Pontian district, will continue to grow at a steady pace while creating more quality job opportunities for residents.
Mechanic Mohd Akmal Fahmi Salleh, 36, said the town’s proximity to bigger cities and Singapore had attracted not only companies and businesses but also people from across the country.
“I think Pekan Nanas has the perfect blend.
“It is still relatively quiet and not too busy, but it is also close to bigger cities and has plenty of economic opportunities.
“Its location has attracted people from all over the country, including those who choose to live here while working in Singapore.
“Some job opportunities may not be located within the constituency itself, but they are close enough for people to commute to daily,” he said, citing the Tanjung Bin Energy Power Plant in Kukup as an example.
However, Akmal said traffic congestion has become more noticeable over the years as the population continued to grow.
“The traffic is generally not as bad as in the cities, but it can get quite congested during peak hours because many people travel to and from Singapore for work.
“If the issue is not addressed, I think it can become a bigger problem in the future,” he said.
Student Myra Arrissya Mohamad Nizam, 23, said Pekan Nanas had benefitted from its strategic location within the Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor.
However, despite rapid growth and investments over the years, the town’s infrastructure had not kept pace with development, she said.
Highlighting traffic woes, especially during peak hours, she said: “I think there is a need to review the transport network to accommodate increasing traffic caused by industrial expansion and residential growth.
“One way is by developing alternative roads.
“Public transportation must also become a key priority in the town’s future development.”
She added that establishing a mini public transport terminal would enhance connectivity.
Myra Arrissya also hopes to see Pekan Nanas providing more quality, well-paying jobs for local folk, especially young people.
“I feel that Pekan Nanas has the potential to become a leading agro-tourism destination by building on its fruit-growing heritage while supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs.”
She hopes the next assemblyman will be approachable and capable of introducing practical, long-term solutions to address the constituency’s growing needs.
Pekan Nanas is a non-urban seat with 37,556 voters – 55.82% Malays, 41.04% Chinese, 1.15% Indians and 1.99% other races.
The state seat was formed during a redelineation exercise in 2003 and was first contested in the 11th General Election in 2004.
In the last state election in 2022, Barisan Nasional’s Tan Eng Meng from MCA won the seat with a 4,835-vote majority against Yeo Tung Siong from Pakatan Harapan (DAP), with the other candidates being Tan Chin Hock from Perikatan Nasional (Gerakan) and Hishamuddin Busri from Parti Warisan.
In the 16th Johor state election, the seat will see a straight fight between incumbent Eng Meng (BN-MCA) and Yeo (PH-DAP).
