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Creating a Better Johor Bahru: My Wishlist for the Future |
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Since being declared a city in 1994, Johor Bahru has experienced rapid growth.
As a resident of this city, my wish list for Johor Bahru in ten years' time is
simple - a city that is improved and developed based on the existing one. I
believe that Johoreans do not need a 'megapolis' but rather changes that benefit
the ordinary man and woman in the street.
First and foremost, priority must be given to better planned roads and drainage
systems. Flooding is a common occurrence every time there is a heavy downpour.
It has been flooding in areas like Jalan Air Molek and Jalan Yahya Awal for as
long as I can remember. Recently, housing estates like Taman Johor Jaya have
also been affected. Before the city grows more organically, there should be an
improvement of the present infrastructure.
Secondly, we need a garden city. We should strive to "green" the city. Some
parts of Johor Bahru are lined with trumpet flower trees, which are beautiful
when the flowers bloom. This is a fine example that should be replicated
elsewhere. Local species like the tembusu should be more widely planted. In
fact, many flowering plants thrive in our climate, such as the bougainvillea.
Otherwise, we will become an urban jungle with pavements dominating every
corner.
The present parks should also be improved upon. Public sports and fitness
grounds and facilities for the young and elderly should be set up. Outdoor
exercise equipment should be put up in all these parks for senior citizens to
exercise and enjoy the fresh air.
In addition, there should be better public transport. I believe there are enough
cars on the roads, and in fact, cars should be banned from the city center
itself. There should be more public buses that provide regular and efficient
service. Underground train services that link the people from one part of the
city to the other should also be established. This will reduce the massive
traffic jams that plague Johor Bahru. Furthermore, pedestrian walkways and
bicycle lanes should be constructed all over the city, as this is one way to
save the environment.
To ensure that Johor Bahru keeps pace with other major cities in Malaysia, we
should build more facilities for the people. For instance, we need more
libraries. According to the latest census figures, Johor Bahru is fast becoming
Malaysia's second-largest city, with a population of over one million. However,
there are too few good libraries in Johor Bahru. There should be a library in
every large residential area. Let children, even toddlers, make the library
their second home. There is also an urgent need to establish more public health
centers, supported by state-of-the-art equipment. Public healthcare should be
one of the first priorities of the city, and the current provision is too
insufficient.
Let's begin the work of 'remaking' Johor Bahru into a city where gracious living
is a reality now. |
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