Asean Trade Centre to be opened in Johor Bahru

As Johorean, we definitely know the famous street in the heart of Johor Bahru city which is Jalan Wong Ah Fook. Do we know the history behind the name of the road? Personally, I don’t. Only after I read an article translated by WINNIE CHOOI from Sin Chew Daily, then I have a general idea on the history of our beloved city. Carry on read the article below:

JOHOR BAHRU, Johor — Johor Bahru’s Jalan Wong Ah Fook was named after a local Chinese pioneer, Wong Ah Fook, and has since become the main arterial road in town.

Jalan Wong Ah Fook remains as vibrant today as in the 1980s, although the surrounding areas have experienced dramatic transformation over the past 30 years.

Jalan Wong Ah Fook during the 1960s. Photo courtesy by Sin Chew Daily

In the old photo of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, you could see an open car park for a departmental store on the left. Further up was the bus terminus and the four-storey Johor Plaza which still remains to this day. The main market located next to the departmental store is not seen in this picture.

This area used to be the most thriving commercial area in the city during the olden days.

On May 14, 1965, the modern double-storey market was officially opened along Jalan Wong Ah Fook to replace the old Segget market.

The bus and taxi terminus and departmental store were opened around the same time. Owing to rapid development of JB, the bus and taxi terminus was later relocated while the departmental store remained until 1994, when it was demolished along with the market.

All the stalls and businesses operating in the market were subsequently relocated to the Larkin market and Taman Perling market.

Well-known structures

The bustling Jalan Wong Ah Fook as it is today. Photo courtesy by Sin Chew Daily

On the right of the photo was Ungku Puan hawker centre in the distance, with the newly built taxi parking garage and three-storey shop houses further down.

In the recent photo of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, on the site of the former market, departmental store, bus and taxi terminus, you could see the imposing City Square, a new landmark in the old city. On the right is the highrise Menara Public Bank.

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Translated by WINNIE CHOOI
Sin Chew Daily

This great article is adopted from MySinchew.com.

First photo credited to members.virtualtourist.com/m/d1b2f/138b4c/. Second and third photo credited to mysinchew.com/node/69846.

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