This
morning, I received a WhatsApp message from my friend, Barney of Kluang Rail
Coffee, who showed me a poorly taken photograph of my books, My Johor
Stories, Books One and Two, shot through reflecting glass panels of an
antique cupboard.
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| Books One and Two of My Johor Stories, displayed for sale at the Y Gallery in Y Space |
I cannot
help but shared his pride in spotting my books in this gallery because their Kluang
Rail Coffee heritage trade story was featured in My Johor Stories 2:
Interesting Places and Inspirational People.
It
was just recently in July when I had the pleasure to witness the celebration
held in the Kluang Railway Station where the Kluang Rail coffeeshop was
recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records as the Oldest Railway Kopitiam in the Nation.
Such
a recognition never failed to excite me because I had the privilege to document
their family’s heritage trade story – along with stories of other Johor heritage
traders – in My Johor Stories.
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| The forecourt of Y Space arranged for the Ribbon-Cutting ceremony on its official opening |
Earlier,
Think City Johor Baru – along with MPH Group Publishing Kuala Lumpur – who
supported me in the publication of My Johor Stories Books One and Two,
had informed me about their plan to place their small stock of my books at Y
Space.
So
it was good to see my books displayed in this wooden cupboard, an antique which
reminded me of the old cupboards in grandfather’s house that were used to
showcase a large collection of trophies including silver cups of various sizes,
won in badminton tournaments.
Speaking
of badminton, two family stories on Badminton Glory Days and Growing
Up in Grandfather’s House, are shared under Memories in Book
Three, the final instalment to complete the trilogy of My Johor Stories.
When
I arrived at Y Space for the event, I was warmly welcomed by Qun at the
forecourt – now beautifully paved – unlike how it was when this property was
used as a private school.
It
was good to reminisce about a time when I used to come here every week day, driving
in and out of this property on that steep slope of its driveway to pick up
Brendon, my nephew, after his school hours.
I
recalled that when my car appeared on the driveway, the children (who easily
recognised my car with my name emblazoned on the spare tyre cover!) would shout,
“Brendon, your mummy is here!”
And
my nephew would reply with an equally loud shout, “She is not my mummy!”
He
was right because I am his aunt…
It
was so good to be back here again, this time to see the property tastefully restored
to its former glory.
When
I was introduced to Max Chia as a director of Y Space, I was pleasantly
surprised when he reminded me that we had met before and that I had written a
feature about his hotel in Muar!
I
had an instant flashback to 2018 when I went on a road trip around Johor to meet
with the subjects whom I had planned to feature in Book Two of My Johor
Stories.
While
I was staying in the Muo Boutique Hotel in Muar, I met with Max.
This
stay-experience then developed into a travel story, More than a stay,
published in Life & Times, a section of The New Straits Times, on 28 June
2018.
In
our conversation, I told Max that I am familiar with this area because the
Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus – as it was originally called – located across
the road from Y Space – is my alma mater where I spent 11 years, from Primary
to Secondary school.
I
was pleased to tell him that I have featured the Johor Baru Convent,
proudly as the only Convent School in Johor Baru in Book Three, My Johor
Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now.
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| Watercolour artists drawing and painting a side view of the building facade at Y Space |
Their
2022 Annual Show in the theme, Borderless, was even more meaningful because
it was a charity show where proceeds would benefit the Yayasan Raja Zarith
Sofia, a charity foundation in Johor.
Then
Qun directed guests to observe the artists who were sketching and painting a
side view of the building façade.
As
we approached them, one of the artists (who was wearing a mask) turned to me
with a friendly greeting.
I
had yet to recover from the pleasant surprise with Max so I did not hesitate to
ask the artist to please remind me where we met before.
He
was all smiles when he removed his mask and told me he was Lee Chin Chian, whom
I recognised as one of the organisers of The Art Journey of Pekan Nanas in
2019.
Lee
congratulated me on my soon-to-be-released Book Three of My Johor Stories,
(because he follows me on social media!) so I responded by reminding him to get
his own copy of this final instalment of My Johor Stories when it was released by
MPH nationwide on 15 December.
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| My Johor Stories Books One and Two among other books displayed in an antique cupboard in Y Gallery |
In
the moments when I stepped into this 120-year-old mansion, I politely asked Qun
to show me where my books were displayed.
And
she led me to where an antique cupboard with glass panels showcased a
collection of books, including My Johor Stories, Books One and Two, that
were published with the support of Think City Johor Baru.
Among
other titles, I also saw the book, JOHOR Local History, Local
Landscapes 1855 – 1957, by Datin P. Lim Pui Huen, the
great-granddaughter of Johor pioneer, Wong Ah Fook.
Datin Pat, as she is fondly
called, is a historian by profession and the contents of her book provides
invaluable information that helped readers piece together a clearer picture of
Johor in a bygone era.
 |
| A section of the original wall was carefully preserved under a protective acrylic sheet |
The
event kicked off with Words of Welcome by Max and his speech opened formally
with salutations that acknowledged the names and titles of the Guest of Honour
and a list of other VIPs…
…
and I was deeply humbled when I heard my name mentioned at the end of his list.
Next,
Qun introduced the meaning of “Y” in Y Space which sounded similar to, “Why?”
in a presentation that explained the reasons why they restored this old mansion
into an attractive and functional space.
Y
Space was restored and refurbished in consultation with Think City Johor Baru
and it was interesting to see how they have wisely preserved a section of the
original wall in the building for visitors to see and touch – through a hole
opened on a protective acrylic sheet – for a feel of the texture of the
clay-brick wall with lime plaster.
 |
| Two views of the old mansion: As it looked before and its restored facade as Y Space |
From their research into the
background of this building, they discovered that the property was once a
residence, then used as a restaurant before it accommodated different schools
including a secondary school, an art school and a private school.
And now this old building was
revitalised with new life as an inspired space in Johor Baru that offers
endless potential and possibilities for creative use.
 |
| A chart with the timeline for Y Space since 1902 |
At the close of his presentation,
Gan graciously invited Datin Pat to share a few thoughts so she used this old
map and pointed to several buildings to share a clearer perspective of the
development in that bygone era of Johor.
She explained that life revolved
around the Istana Besar or Grand Palace, designed with a collection of palaces
and mansions built in the same compound as meeting halls and residences for the
Johor Royal family and included a palace for Sultanah Fatimah.
 |
| Datin Pat Lim shared a few thoughts with reference to the map from 1902 |
To better appreciate her role in Johor heritage,
I have featured a story on Sultanah Fatimah under Culture and Heritage
in Book Three of My Johor Stories.
When Datin Pat ended her time of sharing, she
mentioned that she and her late husband, Dato Dr Lim Kee Jin, had a life-long
passion in caring for the disabled community through the NGO, Johor Area
Rehabilitation Organisation or JARO.
Incidentally, JARO is among the proudly Johor brands featured in Book Three.
 |
| Johor Baru Mayor, Dato Haji Mohd Noorazam declared Y Space officially opened |
I am familiar with this book because I had the
pleasure to review it when it was published and my review of One-Legged Football and Other Stories, was featured in The
Iskandarian on 21 January 2021.
In his speech, Mayor Dato Haji Mohd Noorazam, who was formerly the District
Officer for Muar, declared that he was proud to be involved with the
restoration projects that Max was challenged to accomplish in Muar and now in
Johor Baru.
He
thanked Datin Pat for the fresh insights he received from her sharing and spoke
about the importance of preserving old buildings and heritage sites in the
city.
 |
| Electrical switches from a bygone era carefully preserved in Y Space |
[Incidentally,
Datin Pat’s great-grandfather, Wong Ah Fook was the building contractor who was
credited for building the Istana Besar and the Johor Baru Jail.]
In
2005, I had the privilege of a conducted tour of the Johor Baru Jail
when it was briefly opened to visitors and have documented my experience in a
story which is also published in Book Three of My Johor Stories.
At the close of his speech the
Mayor formally declared Y Space as officially opened.
Then Max escorted the Mayor and
VIPs on a tour of the premises that ended at the forecourt of the building for
the Ribbon-Cutting ceremony.
Finally, in a traditional opening
ceremony where a pair of performing Lions danced to the beat of drums and
crashing cymbals, Y Space was officially opened to welcome visitors and organisers
to host their events here.
Y Space
Johor Baru is located No. 2, Jalan Yahya Awal, 80100 Johor Baru, Johor.
Open from 11am to 9pm daily. Closed on Thursday.
For enquiries on planning and hosting your events at Y Space, email to: info@yspace-jb.com
