What’s stopping JB from going forward?

The relation between Johor Bahru and Singapore is often compared with that of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Yes, they have similarities in terms of geography, history and culture.

However, during a recent talk on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen and Johor Bahru-Singapore relations given by renowned Hong Kong cultural and political critic Leung Man Tao, he has shown us the differences between the two relations.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen evolve from differences to similarity while Johor Bahru and Singapore evolve from similarity to differences.

Hong Kong was a symbol of prosperity and progress while Shenzhen symbolised poverty and backwardness 30 years ago.

Today, Hong Kong is still prosperous and progressive, and Shenzhen is closely following behind it, even surpassing Hong Kong in many areas.

Johor Bahru started industrialisation while Singapore started urbanisation 40 years ago.

Today, the Singapore economy has been soaring while Johor Bahru, which also claims itself as a bandaraya (major city) has been left far behind.

Hong Kong has changed, so has Shenzhen. Their differences have been reduced while similarities have been increased. And they recognise each other more and more.

Johor Bahru has changed, so has Singapore. However, they become more and more different from each other. Even worse, resentment has started to emerged between them and they have been walking farther and farther away from each other.

Shenzhen was only a small fishing village 30 years ago. Today, it has blossomed into a dream city for many young people who wish to pursue their dreams, just like Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has also walked out from the immigration trend caused by the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997.

According to Leung, the mentality of Hong Kong people born in the 80s and 90s are very different from their parents' generation who viewed Hong Kong as only a transit station. As they were born and grew up in Hong Kong, they were willing to safeguard the democracy and freedom of Hong Kong. They were also concerned about the future of their motherland as they were clear that their fate is interconnected.

As for Johor Bahru and Singapore, they went separate ways after breaking up in 1965, resulting in increasing differences. Also, the bilateral relations have become less close.

Before the separation of Singapore from Malaysia, people from Johor Bahru and Singapore were recognised as a family. However, the new generations have become more and more different from each other in terms of cultural awareness, language habits and even thoughts and actions. The blood relations of the older generations and the former collective memories have been gradually fading.

Some people said at the talk that "Singaporeans are arrogant and like to show off". However, shouldn't we have a self-reflection in addition to complaining, blaming and making prejudiced judgements?

Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Singapore can all do it. Why can't Johor Bharu? Would it be because our young generations are not as ambitious as the young people in Hong Kong and Shenzhen?