JOHOR Baru denizens and visitors will encounter signage in certain areas of the city proclaiming Johor Baru as a Bandaraya Bertaraf Antarabangsa, which translates to a world-class city. The installation of these signs is a simple task, however, actually achieving this status will prove to be much more challenging.
In addition to having good infrastructure and a culture of maintenance, the level of cleanliness also plays a significant role in determining whether a city is suitable to be considered an international metropolis.
Based on its current state of cleanliness, it is evident that Johor Baru still has a considerable way to go before it can meet those standards.
A recent incident occurred this month in which a worker was caught disposing of rubbish into the bushes along the Lido Beach roadside, serving as a wake-up call for everyone.
A video capturing the incident went viral on TikTok, causing a public outcry from netizens who demanded strict action be taken against both the contractor and the worker responsible.
Johor Baru mayor, Datuk Noorazam Osman, confirmed that the city council had taken punitive measures against the company involved, resulting in the termination of the worker’s employment.
The Greater Johor Baru (JB) concept, similar to Greater London in the United Kingdom, is being implemented by the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), and Pasir Gudang City Council (MPPG).
The long-term objective of the Johor government under the Greater JB initiative is to revamp and expand Johor Baru into a modern metropolis.
At this crucial stage, it is appropriate for MBJB, MBIP, and MPPG to review the contracts awarded to companies responsible for maintenance and cleanliness.
Often, these companies’ actual performance falls short of expectations.
For example, it is common to observe grass cutters and workers using leaf blowers to simply blow garden waste into drains, which ultimately leads to clogged drains and an increased risk of flooding.
Serving as the southern gateway into the country and the first Malaysian city encountered by visitors traveling from Singapore via the Causeway, Johor Baru needs to make a positive first impression by ensuring its cleanliness at all times.
Residents of Johor Baru have been frequently reminded to take ownership of the city and keep it clean.
Although the state government has implemented the Johor Bersih initiative, it is important to acknowledge that their resources are limited.
As Bangsa Johor, it is our duty to play our part in maintaining a clean city.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
