Page 14 - FFlyz-i30 (1)

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COVER
STORY
Johor Bahru, usually called JB, is the
state capital of Johor in southern
peninsular Malaysia, just across the
causeway from Singapore. JB now
has more amusement parks, hospi-
tals, parks and universities than ever
before. Granted city status in 1994,
this former small town has gone
through massive changes.
W o r d s :
R e u b e n M i r a n d a
I
was born and bred in Johor Bahru, am a “JB boy”, as the
colloquial saying goes. I spent the first 22 years of my life there
before leaving the small town and heading to Kuala Lumpur
and then even further afield.
I grew up in a house on Jalan Merawan, Majidee Park. I
remember the neighbourhood housing many British expatriates
who were attached to the army base that was not far away.
There were less and less of them as I grew up, many moving away
to other detachments. The house was on a low lying area and used
to flood terribly after a heavy rain. When the waters subsided, they
left behind thick layers of mud, snakes and centipedes.
Majidee Park is where my friends and I would cycle around
like mad, fall off our bikes, laugh, and just have fun. We used to
hang around in each others houses and would often get fed by our
respective mothers. Many of these friends have left Johor Bahru
now, scattered all over the globe.
I returned to Johor Bahru after a 20-year absence and was amazed
at the changes that had taken place.
12 | FireFlyz
Firefly flies to Johor
Bahru fromvarious
destinations. Information
on flight routes and
schedules can be found
at www.fireflyz.com.my
SOUTHERN SON