Picturing the years: Visitors admiring the colourful mural that maps the history of Johor Baru from as early as the 1800s until today. The painting stretches across a 130m-long and 3m-tall wall in Taman Merdeka, Johor Baru.
JOHOR BARU: The rich and colourful history of Johor Baru is being told through images painted along a 130m wall at the Taman Merdeka public park here.
Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said the story on the mural unfolds with a painting of the ancient city market in the 1800s, which was located near Sungai Segget.
“It then moves through the change of times and developments seen in the city in the 1950s, 1970s and 1990s, until today, showcasing Johor Baru’s heritage and identity along the way.
“Besides iconic and historical buildings and milestones, the public can also see what life was like back then and what it will be in the future.
“Images of the Johor Causeway and the upcoming Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link), which is scheduled for completion at the end of 2026 and operational in 2027, were also included as a way of looking forward to the Johor Baru of tomorrow,” he said when officiating the mural yesterday.
Mohd Noorazam noted that the mural was presented along the 130m long and 3m tall “Tasek Utara wall” within the park.
The wall doubles as an educational tool and tourism attraction in anticipation of the state’s Visit Johor Year 2026 campaign next year, he said.
“I insisted on maintaining the name Tasek Utara (Northern Lake) for the wall to preserve the history of the lake, which sits right next to the structure.
“The lake is located north of Istana Bukit Serene nearby, hence the name.
“The council is also planning to put up plaques with QR codes for the public to scan and read about the stories behind the paintings,” he added.
The project began about two weeks ago with four artists: Muhammad Fakhrul Akmal Shamsurrijal, Muhammad Yusri Abdullah, Amir Hamzah Al Hafez Mohd Yunus and Lukman Nur Hakim.
The Taman Merdeka park is a popular spot for the public to exercise and for recreational activities.
The mayor added that MBJB also has plans to enter the mural painting in the national record books soon.
Mohd Noorazam, who will assume the position of Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) chief executive following a statewide reshuffle of Johor Civil Service (JCS) officers, said the event was his last public appearance as Johor Baru mayor.
“During my tenure lasting three years and four months as mayor, I had wanted to see Johor Baru develop into a city of tomorrow while keeping its natural fabric.
“I hope Johor Baru will continue to develop into a liveable and lovable city for not just Johoreans but also those who visit us,” said the outgoing mayor, while reminding MBJB staff members to keep providing excellent public service with a smile.
Mohd Noorazam replaces former Irda chief executive Datuk Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim, who recently took over the JCS Academy as chief executive officer.Iskandar Puteri City Council mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad will take over as the new MBJB mayor effective Jan 14.
