All Seems To Be Rosy in Johor

"My bet is that there are many more Singaporean registered cars plying the Causeway than those of Malaysia.

I believe it will still be so even if the costs of driving across the Causeway increase by 10 times.

In short, if there is going to be a tit-for-tat over the cost of traveling across the Causeway, the Singaporeans are the ones who are going to be worse off.

I believe the Malaysian government had taken this into account before deciding on imposing the VEP and additional toll charges at the Causeway."

Why not just go and read what Annie has to say. Please go to

http://lifeofaannie.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-fight-singapore-cannot-win.html

The roads surrounding KSL City Mall and KSL Hotel and Resort in Taman Century, Johot Bahru was jam-packed with vehicles on the first day of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri. 

In chaos. There was traffic congestion and noise pollution as motorists were blaring their horns.

Anyway, a taxi driver I spoke to yesterday supported Annie's sentiment on the recent announcement concerning the recently revised toll and levy charges that those using the Causeway will feel, come Aug 1.

The taxi driver is a Malay man who had worked in Singapore from the 1980s to 2010. He now drives a taxi for a living. He said he was all stressed up when he was working in Singapore.

Although he was making SGD3,000 a month, he decide to quit when the Singapore firm stated taking in inexperienced degree holders to fill the positions.

"When the inexperienced employees make mistakes, the seniors were blamed for their mistakes.

"It also became harder to work there when the company started employing foreign workers from China and India. These Chinese and Indian nationals don't get along with one another, and when they quarrel, we have to be thei mediators."

He says the Causeway is also heavily congested because there are more Singaporeans staying in Johor Bahru now.  The families stay in JB while the breadwinner travels to Singapore or stay there, and returns home only during weekends to be with the family.

The taxi driver says he has lots of Singaporean passengers taking his cab and they'd say something like when they step into JB, all their stress evaporates. When they see the Customs Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at JB Sentral, their headache will come back.

Yes the Singaporeans will continue to come to JB no matter what.

My opinion

1. JB can relieve stress

2. Singaporeans can shop and eat to their hearts' content before going back to the grind.

3. JB is a shopping haven across the Causeway as more branded outlets open in the City Square, Komtar JBCC Mall and Plaza Galleria@Kotaraya.

4. Singaporeans can live in landed properties with their pets. If you're not a pet lover, you will never understand this.

5. Those who don't like pets and too much housework can always opt for a posh condo, which is sprouting everywhere in JB.

I wonder what's the new game plan for Malaysians working in Singapore? Will more be switching to motorcycles or are they going to take the bus to work? Will they give up the "high" pay and look for a job in Johor? Will they move to Singapore and continue to work in the republic?

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. What will this new challenge and change bring?

As for Singapore-Johor ties, all is well and good. See this http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-ministers/1286078.html