Illustrated feature causeway people : living in between Singapore and Johor.

Abstract

The history of Malaysia and Singapore goes way back before 1965, the year when the two sides, once a union, went separate ways due to ideological differences. Since then, efforts from both sides to establish a unique identity for themselves have weathered away evidence of their common history. Some of the older generation, once supportive of the merger, admit the differences between the two countries are now too apparent to ignore. Their hopes for reunification have also thus faded with time. The youth, raised in an era when border lines are already drawn, define themselves first as citizens of the side where they were born.Yet against the backdrop of this dichotomy, we believe a certain character of ‘in-between’ still exist, remaining in limbo as the countries move further apart. Thus the hypothesis is such ambiguity in terms of one's sense of identity or loyalty is magnified in the people who frequently cross borders or are still emotionally attached to the other side of the boundary line. We call them 'The Causeway People'.