JB’s once-bustling Jalan Wong Ah Fook now nearly deserted

JOHOR BARU: One of the state capital’s most famous streets, Jalan Wong Ah Fook – lined with pre-war shophouses and plush restaurants on one side and by two huge malls on the other – was once all hustle and bustle.

But these days, the normally street is deserted after 6pm.

Ever since the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18 and the Restricted Movement Control Order (RMCO), this thoroughfare has dwindled into an empty street by sundown.

The reasons are obvious: the total absence of Singaporeans from across the Causeway; and lack of native Johoreans, whose incomes have shrivelled up due to full – and then – partial lockdowns.

Business owners groaned under the weight of meeting the costs of doing business without robust sales that would justify their outlay.

Pan Mei Hua, 50, who owns a poster frame merchandise outlet at Johor Bahru City Square (CS), said ever since the MCO came into effect, her business has plunged.

The director of Wuming Idol Ido, said she is facing a tough time keeping her business going.

“We depend very much on Singaporeans, but now, since they are unable to enter the country, this mall is deserted in the evenings,” she lamented.

She finds it tough to pay RM30,000 monthly for the two outlets she owns at the mall.

Mei Hua, who also sells Korean merchandise, now depends solely on local customers. She hopes business will return to normal.

Elton Ho, 41, who owns Ho Seng Kee Restaurant in the mall too, said his business has dwindled by 85 per cent.

Ho said he had depended very much on Singaporean customers, but now he relies on locals who are mainly city residents, office workers and walk-in customers.

“We are bleeding (financially) but we have to struggle even if it’s an uphill battle,” said Ho, owner of the oldest noodle restaurant in the city.

Ever since the MCO, he said it has been very tough for him, especially after 6pm, when the malls and the street in which they are located are bare of people.

“We want to see the light at the end of the tunnel but now the tunnel is stretched farther,” he said, adding that he hopes to reach out to more local people to take up the slack in demand.

The Komtar JB City Centre (JBCC) Mall, which is beside City Square, is also deserted in the evenings.

Siti Zubaidah Md Noh, 46, who owns a retail ladies fashion store, said she too depended very much on her Singaporean customers.

Siti, director of Love to Shop outlet, said she has been in business for the past five years.

“Before Covid-19, our business was very good, but ever since the pandemic struck it has dropped sharply,” said Siti. These days she closes her shop by 7.30pm.

She is finding it hard to pay the rent and is compelled to reduce prices of the clothes she sells.

“I’m hoping the government would help people like us, otherwise we may have to close shop,” she sighed.

Echoing similar sentiments is Amy Lim, 52, who said her business is also badly affected.

Amy, owner of First Care Reflexology Massage Centre, said she is finding it hard to get customers to drop in.

“Now we have to depend on our own Johoreans,” she said forlornly.

She is worried she can no longer afford to pay the rent.

“I’m going to have a hard time if the situation remains unchanged, but I hope things will soon get better,” she said.

Like most business owners along Jalan Wong Ah Fook, hope is perhaps a good breakfast to start the day with, but by six in the evening, it dwindles to a lean supper.

Source: NST