Ever wondered what lies beneath the bustling streets of Johor Bahru? It is Sungai Segget. This river played a crucial role in the city’s early development. It was more than just a waterway. It was the lifeblood of a growing town.
Sungai Segget got its name from a sluice gate. “Sungai Segget” sounds like “Sea Gate”. Imagine immigrant Chinese arriving by small boats. They sailed up Sungai Segget. They sought land for cultivation. This was under the Kangchu system. Planters obtained permits from the ruler. These permits were known as surat sungai. They used them to open up land.
The river became a port. Local produce was exported. Goods were imported. The virgin jungles of Johor offered many resources. There was dammar rattan and wood oil. Camphor ebony and wax were also gathered. In 1860 James Meldrum established Johor Steam Sawmill. It was Johor Baru’s first industry. It was located at the mouth of Sungai Segget. Wharves were built. Logs were hauled up and sawn. Timber was loaded onto ships. It was transported to Singapore.
Many Chinese settled around Sungai Segget. They opened shops and markets. They supplied food to the planter communities. Settlers depended on Sungai Segget. It was the main waterway to sell produce. They also received supplies from town. The river broadened into a deep bend. A triangular island existed in the curve. This island hosted a wet market. It was connected to the shore by three bridges. In 1894 the market was replaced. The new building used wrought iron. Fishing boats unloaded their daily catch there.
The market had over 200 stalls. It was the first wet market in JB. It was the only central market in southern Johor. There was an adjacent bus terminal and taxi stand. People came from other districts to shop. In 1964 a new central market was completed. It was located at Jalan Wong Ah Fook. The old market waterways were filled. This created land between the river and Jalan Segget. Boats were the main transport. They connected Johor to the world. Piers were used like bus stops. The Johor Steam Ferry Boat Company started in 1875. It connected Singapore’s Woodlands and JB. The ferry reached Johor at Pier Kuala Segget. This pier was east of Sungai Segget.
After the causeway opened in 1924 land transport became more efficient. Transport by sea declined. The river’s west bank became a parking lot. Sungai Segget faced challenges. It became polluted. It was called “smelly river”.
A rejuvenation project was needed. The Sungai Segget Rejuvenation Project began. It included a water treatment plant. It also had flood mitigation measures. There was beautification of Jalan Wong Ah Fook. The project had three phases. The first phase improved water quality. The Centralised Sewerage Treatment Plant was built. It treats river water. The treated water is released back into Sungai Segget. The second phase mitigated floods. The Flood Mitigation System was created. The third phase beautified the landscape. The landscape was divided into zones. There was a historical zone. There was a cultural zone. There was also a fun zone.
Today Sungai Segget has a new look. It has photo attractions and a brief history. You can walk and explore Johor Bahru’s old streets. The river flows towards Jalan Wong Ah Fook Street. It extends to the Johor Strait. Sungai Segget is once again a vital part of Johor Bahru.