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Exploring Johor Bahru

By Lim Mun Fah, Sin Chew Daily/Asia News Network | Fri, Nov 6 2009

Most Singaporeans have never set foot in Johor Bahru over the past five years because of poor law and order.

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According to a Singapore media report, most Singaporeans have never set foot in Johor Bahru over the past five years because of poor law and order. However, the situation has changed recently.

Under the stimulation of high exchange rates, various choices of nightclubs and low fuel prices, there is a phenomenon showing the return of Singaporean tourists to Johor Bahru.

It seems like good news but if we think deeper, it is in fact mixed with sadness.

Today, Singaporeans can get RM2.4 with S$1. It is good news for Singaporeans as it is the highest exchange rate in the past 10 years. But as for the Johor Bahru people, it is the lowest exchange rate in the past 10 years.

It is not the best way to attract Singaporeans only with the subsidised low fuel prices. It does not conform to the country's interests as well.

Moreover, starting from next year, the government will no longer allow foreigners to enjoy subsidised fuel prices. By then, low fuel prices will not be an attraction for Singaporeans anymore.

As for the great variety of nightclubs, it is not something to be proud of.

Try to ask ourselves, other than wine and women; exchange rates and fuel prices, does Johor Bahru have its own charm?

Family affections used to be the greatest catalyst for Johor Bahru and Singapore. Many Singaporeans enjoyed spending their family days during weekends and holidays in Johor Bahru.

However, as time goes by, new generations of the two straits started to have different ways of thinking and family affections have been gradually diminished.

When the ties have been loosened, is Johor Bahru really nothing more than just a place for eating, drinking and playing for Singaporeans?

In fact, Johor Bahru does have its own selling points. But it requires a little bit of exploration and creativity.

“A mountain, a temple and a school” in Johor Bahru is a Chinese cultural heritage, as well as a cultural legend. The spirit of an ancient temple, Chinese education, Chinese Historical Museum, as well as the cultural street of Tan Hiok Nee which is still in progress, are all attractive selling points.

Diversity, inclusiveness and integration demonstrated by the Catholic church, Christian church, Sikh temple, Hindu temple, Indian Muslim mosque, Arabian Muslim mosque and the Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple along Jalan Trus, as well as the Arulmigu Sri RajaKaliamman Temple located nearby are all great selling points, too.

From the top of the old state government building, you can overlook the Johor Straits in which the Japanese used to invade Singapore during the World War II; the Johor Causeway Bridge which had been bombed by the British after they retreated to Singapore; as well as the Johor Bahru's Old Town. It used to be the Japanese headquarters and it is the place where notorious General Tomoyuki Yamashita commanded the bloody war against Singapore. Today, we can still find traces of that war from the old buildings. It will definitely be a shocking journey of history and education for Singaporeans to recall the three-year-and-eight-month hardship here.

You will find that Johor Bahru is in fact exciting if you can explore it slowly.

--Sin Chew Daily/ANN

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