I love it when people ask me, "Charlotte, is JB safe ah?"
-_-
My reply to them would be:
I'm still here isn't it?
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To me, if you're so afraid to come to JB, then don't come at all. Instead of walking around, looking scared and frightened, as if someone is going to stab you - then the likelihood of it happening is > 50%.
Why?
Because you're an easy target, already full of fear.
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If you're Singaporean and you're reading this because you googled for "JB unsafe", then don't come.
If you're wondering if we kill each other on the streets?
Let me tell you nobody has tried to kill me, yet.
What's it with all of you? I think it's the, you-read-too-many-local-chinese-newspaper-syndrome. Our JB chinese reporters are extremely gung-ho and they seem to be able to capture the most gruesome and frightening pictures for their column. AND chinese papers seem to have more full-coloured pages too.
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So let's set the record straight:
JB is a safe as any other town in Malaysia. We have our fair share of robberies, murders and snatch thieves as KL or Penang has.
I am living proof that JB is safe enough.
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Words of advice:
- DO NOT act scared.
- DO NOT dress in short shorts, slippers, spagetthi-strapped t shirts and a waist pouch or sling bag. That's branding yourself "SINGAPOREAN" across your forehead.
- DO NOT walk in alleys just for the sake of 'adventure' unless you know someone from the alley.
- ALWAYS look as if you know where you are going although you have NO idea where you are.
- Park you car in a well lit area. A foreign car or a nice big car will always be the first to spot. Even your sport-rimmed tyres can be removed easily, in exchange for several bricks.
- DO NOT keep saying "cheap cheap cheap" or show your wide eyed expression when the seafood bill comes. Practice in front of the mirror one week before your trip, on how to control your expressions. Malaysians are cool and collected people.
- Don't speak Mandarin in JB. It's a dead giveaway, unless your Mandarin has a very strong Hokkien influence.
- LEARN some BASIC malay. It doesn't hurt to learn a new language. Most chinese/indian Malaysians knows at least 3 languages - 1. chinese/indian dialects; 2.english; 3. malay.
We're all at risk of some crime. If it happens, it's like striking lottery. The odds are similar.
Johor Bahru has been my home for the past 30 years. I believe it will continue to be home for another 30 years.
:)
