Its Silver Jubilee was celebrated with a Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and informative booths
1st January 2019 marked as the 25th year for Johor Bahru to be granted a city status; forming Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) too. The silver jubilee ceremony was officiated by Director General of Malaysia Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU), Dato’ Dr Mazlan bin Yusoff, Mayor of Johor Bahru town Dato Haji Amran, Johor Bahru District Officer Haji Mohammed Ridha, and Mayor of Iskandar Puteri, Dato’ Haji Adib Azhari bin Daud.
The four-day event from 28th February till 3rd March 2019 saw about 35000 visitors. MBJB had their own rows of booths to share information and showcase their achievements for the past 25 years, right from old communicating equipment to old-school lavatories!
A variety of activities was catered for every one of different background interests such as e-sports championship to mini zoo, pre-school colouring competition, cycling on a Car Free Day Saturday, quizzes, concerts by prominent artists, and more!
Highlight of the event was the Hot Air Balloon, raised sixty feet into the air overseeing Singapore and wonderful Johor Bahru. It was scheduled to fly for only two days with a capacity of 60 tickets sold per day but due to unfavourable weather conditions on the first day, it only flew on the second day.
Dato’ Dr Mazlan, at the opening ceremony, shared a story of how a city in Columbia; Medellín, was synonym with criminal activities and infamous names. However, in 2013, it was named as The Most Innovative City by Wall Street Journal thanks to the development of the city and the leadership of its mayor. He likened the city’s change and inspiration to Johor Bahru: architecturally meticulous, innovative, and having hardworking citizens who play a part in changing the whole landscape.
“You have the right to be proud of all your achievements,” he concluded.
