I would like to bring up a few issues in my opinions, needs the attention of the concerned authority in Johor Bahru.
1. Many heavy vehicles such as public bus, pickups, lorries and also those belongings to public companies and government department emits thick smokes. They smoke they emit when the vehicle starts to move actually causes any motorist or drivers behind them not able to see anything in front of them. It not only are dangerous to road users but also causes heavy air pollution. However, these selfish drivers and their owners still have these vehicles on the road for their own profitable gains. On the night of Friday, June 8th 2007, on the traffic junction along the Tebrau Highway towards Kota Tinggi, a bus emits smokes as it starts to move. Several motorist who was caught unaware had to force themself through the layer of thick smokes emitted from the bus. And an evening a few months ago, I came across a JKR's pickup in Larkin which also are the same. Several cars has to switch lane to overtakes it and one of the car is a 20 year old Datsun which had it's windows wind down, maybe due to the air conditioning is spoiled. Imagine what these harms does this vehicles causes to the nature, health and safety of the roads we uses everyday. These are just two among the numerous event which I've came across so far. And I believe, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I hope the CVLB, JPJ and the traffic police or any relevant enforcement team are on the road to checks on these vehicles. If possible, get them out of the road. We're here promoting to conserve and safe the environment while they continues to pollute the earth all for just some monetary gains.
2. Many roads which has been dug or repaired by contractors are for sure uneven. Worst, they crack and cave in after a few months. Weeks if heavy rains occurs. One example is the Jalan Dato Jaafar from Larkin Stadium to SRJK (C) Foon Yew 3 & 5. The middle of the left lane (towards Balai Bomba Larkin) are uneven and has several pot holes big enough to cause a motorist to fell to his death. Luckily, up to now, nothing bad happened. Jalan Hasil is another road which often has potholes no matter how many times it's retar in a year. Other than that, the traffic junction off Jalan Cenderawaseh and Jalan Langkasuka is also the same. It is always in repair mode and in not time, potholes are visible again. These are just a few example of the roads condition in Johor Bahru no matter it's a alley or a main road. What does these contractors uses to retar the road. Some time, the road are retar because of repeated projects are done at different times by different contractors for different government agency or GLC. Even Skudai Highway, Tebrau Highway and Pasir Gudang are not spared either. They too has many uneven roads and potholes. Accidents happens maybe due to carelessness and reckless driving, but then, these potholes too are the culprits. My 1 year old car already has suspension problems just because I couldn't evade those potholes in time. Many of my friends experienced broken rims or damaged suspension because of the road conditions which we have to live with it. We taxpayers do not deserves such road quality.
3. Many roads sign are vandalized with stickers and grafitti. It's an ugly side and to think that it's Visit Malaysian Year. What does our visitors think of us. Johor Bahru is frequently visited by fellow Singaporean and what do they think of us? Many street names and road directions are covered with all those Ah Long's contacts and it's hard for tourist to find their way. Even I myself who lives in Johor Bahru for 28 years has difficulties to identify certain streets. yet, these helpful street directories and name are being vandalized and up to now, only a few amount of them are being cleared.
4. Street Lamps & Traffic Lights. There's still a large number of street lamps are not working properly and some of them never function since the day they were installed. Some, are lit for a day or two, but after that, they goes off. Traffic Lights cease to operates when heavy rains occurs and these causes many inconvenience to motorist and drivers as it's already hard to drive during heavy rains, yet, we're often left to take unnecesary risk crossing busy roads just because the traffic lights are not functioning. Other than that, the bulbs which are faulty are not replaced and left as it is for days no matter how busy is the road. Drivers need to use their basic instinct to know when it's green and when it's red. Traffic Light and Street Lamps are equally important to maintain road safety yet these are often neglected and ignored. To which I wonder why.
5. Crimes. There's a increase in crimes rate in Johor Bahru. Many here has fallen victims to snatch thieves, robberies and theft and some of these victims lose their life innocently. However, there's still no increase of police patrol either on foot or on patrol car. Nobody feels safe to roam the streets anymore. We hear of some crime news so often through victims or media reports. We have began to worry for the safety of our loved one and also our properties. Nobody will stop if we see an accident or a vehicle broke down by the road thinking it may be a trap set by these villians whose up to no good. And till date. Only a handful of cases which is reported by the media is solved. How about those which are not reported by the media? Are they solved? Or these files are left by the side to gathers dust.
A random question to anyone on the street about their confidence on the local police and the reply will be a negative one. The Police Force here has left a very bad impression on Johorean and confidence level is low. Many do not bothered to report cases to to the police if they became victims to some petty crimes or scams. I've a friend who received a call from a woman with a chinese accent. The chinese woman informed her that she had won a large amount of cash price and ask my friend to bank in a certain amount of cash into her (or somoeone else) bank account. I got to know about that, and I advice her to report the issue to the police. The first word which comes from her mouth without any hesitation is "no need lar. why need to go through such a hassle?". This is a very sad trend. All these because of the lackadasical attitude of the police personnel which almost everyone had experienced when they step into a police station to report a case. Albeit the fact that there's a small number of black sheep in the police force
I hope the above gets the attention of the concerned department and some rectification process will be drawn out. Our Prime Minister is flying around the globe telling leaders of countries and states about the Iskandar Development Region and Singaporean are coming in as investor, providing economy and tourism income to Johor, yet these matters will only jeopardise the growth of Johor. My intentions are not to condemn the government but to bring out the awareness of what we Johoreans have to endure everyday. I love Johor Bahru and I hope, one day in the near future, I can once again be proud of Johor Bahru. We don't ask for mega structure or multi storey flyover to be proud or happy. What we wish is a safe city and our basic needs fulfil.
Cheers
Johorean
Above is the letter I've typed in the middle of the night. No special reason or anything that spur to writes it. Just thought about it when I was bathing, and out came this letter after that. I've sent the letter to the Editor of Thestar.com.my and nst.com.my. Check to see if the letter is publish or not...
cheers.
Andy "Shackks" Ooi
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