Thank you for sharing these photos. They are a wonderful window into the history of Johor Bahru, especially for those who remember the city before the massive transformations of the early 2000s.
The images you’ve provided capture two landmarks that were once the heart of Johor Bahru's gateway to the north and south.
1. Johor Bahru Railway Station (1981)
The image shows the iconic yellow and blue station. Opened in 1909, this station served as the southernmost terminus of the Malayan railway for decades before the Causeway was completed.
The 1981 Context: a group of Royal Malaysian Navy personnel posing at the station. This was the group on their way to Kuala Lumpur to participate in the Merdeka Day 1981 at Dataran Merdeka. The contigent of the ship crew of KD Raja Jarom, based at Woodlands, Singapore.
This was the "golden era" of rail travel in Malaysia, long before the KTM ETS electric trains existed.
Today: The station officially closed its doors on October 21, 2010, when operations moved to the modern JB Sentral next door. While there were plans to turn this beautiful building into a KTM Museum, it remains a preserved heritage site that still stands as a silent witness to the city's growth.
2. Flat Lumba Kuda
The image of the Flat Lumba Kuda, a landmark residential complex that once defined the JB skyline near the border.
These flats were built in two phases (Phase 1 in 1964 and Phase 2 in 1971). For many Johoreans, "Lumba Kuda" (which translates to "Horse Race," named after the nearby old racecourse) was a bustling community of families and workers.
To make way for the Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu (Integrated Southern Gateway) project—specifically the massive Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex—the flats were demolished in the early 2000s.
The Transformation: If you stood in that exact spot today, you would see the sprawling CIQ complex and the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) expressway. The quiet, residential vibe of the 80s has been replaced by one of the busiest border crossings in the world.
These photos are a poignant reminder of how much "old JB" has changed to become the modern metropolis it is today.
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, KL
1 January 2026: 8.45 p.m