All Topics  
Johor

 

   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link






 

Johor



 
 
Johor (alt. English
English language

English is a West Germanic language that originated in Anglo-Saxon England and has lingua franca status in many parts of the world as a result of the military, economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the British Empire in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and that of the United States from the mid 20th century onwa...
 spelling: Johore, Jawi
Jawi

Jawi is an adapted Arabic alphabet for writing the Malay language.Jawi is one of the two official scripts in Brunei and Malaysia as the script for the Malay language....
 script:????) is a state of Malaysia
Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation that consists of States of Malaysia in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of . The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government....
 between 1°20"N and 2°35"N. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The capital city and royal seat of Johor is Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
, formerly Tanjung Puteri (English: Princess' Cliff). The old state capital is Johor Lama. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Ta'zim ("Abode of Dignity'). It is surrounded by Pahang
Pahang

Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea....
 to the north, Malacca
Malacca

Malacca is the third smallest States of Malaysia, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Strait of Malacca....
 and Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan , meaning "state of nine" in Malay language, is one of the 13 states that consitute the Federation of Malaysia. It is located on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and is bordered in the north by Selangor, in the east by Pahang and in the south by Malacca and Johor....
 to the northwest, and the Straits of Johor
Straits of Johor

The Straits of Johor is a strait that separates the Malaysian state of Johor to the north from Singapore to the south.Major tributaries which empty into the Straits of Johor include:...
 to the south which is divided by the international border between Malaysia and the Republic of Singapore
Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country microstate located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands....
.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Johor'
Start a new discussion about 'Johor'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Johor (alt. English
English language

English is a West Germanic language that originated in Anglo-Saxon England and has lingua franca status in many parts of the world as a result of the military, economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the British Empire in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and that of the United States from the mid 20th century onwa...
 spelling: Johore, Jawi
Jawi

Jawi is an adapted Arabic alphabet for writing the Malay language.Jawi is one of the two official scripts in Brunei and Malaysia as the script for the Malay language....
 script:????) is a state of Malaysia
Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation that consists of States of Malaysia in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of . The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government....
 between 1°20"N and 2°35"N. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The capital city and royal seat of Johor is Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
, formerly Tanjung Puteri (English: Princess' Cliff). The old state capital is Johor Lama. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Ta'zim ("Abode of Dignity'). It is surrounded by Pahang
Pahang

Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea....
 to the north, Malacca
Malacca

Malacca is the third smallest States of Malaysia, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Strait of Malacca....
 and Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan , meaning "state of nine" in Malay language, is one of the 13 states that consitute the Federation of Malaysia. It is located on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and is bordered in the north by Selangor, in the east by Pahang and in the south by Malacca and Johor....
 to the northwest, and the Straits of Johor
Straits of Johor

The Straits of Johor is a strait that separates the Malaysian state of Johor to the north from Singapore to the south.Major tributaries which empty into the Straits of Johor include:...
 to the south which is divided by the international border between Malaysia and the Republic of Singapore
Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country microstate located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands....
. Tanjung Piai
Tanjung Piai

Tanjung Piai is a cape in Johor which is the southernmost point of Peninsular Malaysia and thus the most southern point of mainland Asia. The skyline of Singapore is visible across the Johor Strait from the point....
, in the district of Pontian
Pontian

Pontian may refer to:*Pope Pontian - a third century Pope*Pontian, Johor - a district in Johor, Malaysia*Pontian Greeks - a group of ethnic Greek who inhabited northern Turkey...
, is the most southerly point of mainland Asia
Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent. It covers 8.6% of the Earth's total surface area and, with over 4 billion people, it contains more than 60% of the world's current human population....
.

Malaysians and Singaporeans generally use the abbreviation JB to refer to the city of Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
.

History


The name "Johor" originated from the Arabic word Jauhar, 'gem/precious stone' . Before the name Johor was adopted, the area south of the Muar River
Muar River

The Muar River is a river which flows through the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor in Malaysia. The river also flows through Muar town....
 to Singapore
Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country microstate located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands....
 island was known as Ujung Tanah or 'land's end' in Malay, due to its location at the end of the Malay Peninsula
Malay Peninsula

The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a major peninsula located in Southeast Asia. It is also known as the Kra Peninsula and runs approximately north-south through the Kra Isthmus....
. Coincidentally, Johor is the most southerly point of the Asian continental mainland
Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent. It covers 8.6% of the Earth's total surface area and, with over 4 billion people, it contains more than 60% of the world's current human population....
.

Modern Johor history began in the early 16th century with the foundation of the Sultanate of Johor by the son
Alauddin Riayat Shah II of Johor

Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II was the first Sultan of Johor. He ruled Johor from 1528 to 1564. He founded the Johor Sultanate following the fall of Malacca Sultanate to the Portugal in 1511....
 of Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last Sultan of Malacca
Malacca

Malacca is the third smallest States of Malaysia, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Strait of Malacca....
, who fled from the invading Portuguese in Malacca. Johor sultanate is one of the two successor states of the Melaka empire. Upon Malacca's defeat to the Portuguese in 1511, the son of the last Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mahmud Shah, had established a monarchy in Johor and had posed a constant threat to the Portuguese. The Sultanate of Perak
Perak

Perak is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor southward and to the west by the Strait of Malacca....
 was the other successor state of Malacca and was established by the son of Sultan Mahmud Shah, Sultan Muzaffar Shah. Johor is the only state, apart from Melaka, that has grown into an empire
Empire

Empire derives from the Latin word imperium, denoting ?military command? in Roman. Politically, an empire is a geographically extensive group of states and peoples united and ruled either by a monarch or an oligarchy....
. During its peak, the whole of Pahang and the present day Indonesian territories of Riau archipelago and part of Sumatra
Sumatra

Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the list of islands by area in the world ....
 Island was under Johor's rule.

The sultanate grew in economic and political importance due to its position as an East-West trading hub and eventually evolved into the Johor Empire, covering Johor, the Riau Archipelago
Archipelago

An archipelago is a chain or cluster of islands that are formed tectonically. The word archipelago literally means "chief sea", from Italian language arcipelago , derived ultimately from Greek language arkhon and pelagos ....
 and parts of eastern Sumatra
Sumatra

Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the list of islands by area in the world ....
. However, the Johor Empire failed to reconquer Malacca; in turn Johor harassed and attacked the Portuguese
Portugal

Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic , is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Located in southwestern Europe, Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east....
 during the 130-year Portuguese rule in Malacca and was a constant threat to Portuguese dominance in the Straits of Malacca.

Transportation hubs


Ports

Johor has three ports, Pasir Gudang
Pasir Gudang

Pasir Gudang is an Industry town located 35 km east of Johor Bahru in Malaysia . It is the western end of the Johor Bahru metropolitan area. The population is around 70,000....
 Port, Port of Tanjung Pelepas
Port of Tanjung Pelepas

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas is a port for container ships located on the eastern mouth of the Pulai River in south-western Johor, Malaysia. Receiving its maiden vessel on 10 October 1999 on a three-month trial operation, it set a world record as the fastest growing port with of containers handled after 571 days of operations....
 and Tanjung Langsat Port
Tanjung Langsat Port

Tanjung Langsat Port is the third port in Johor, Malaysia, designed to complement the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port in Pasir Gudang. Positioning itself as Southeast Asia's premier speciality terminal, it handles bulk cargo such as liquefied petroleum gas and dangerous chemicals....
.

Airports

Johor has one international airport (30 km away from JB city centre), The Sultan Ismail International Airport in Senai (01’38’26’ N, 103’40’13’ E). It was opened on 6 June 1974 and has been expanded several times since. Currently, it has a 5-million passenger capacity, with a parallel taxiway under construction.

The airport is a regional hub of AirAsia
AirAsia

AirAsia Berhad is a Low-cost carrier based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It operates scheduled domestic and international flights and is Asia's largest low fare, no frills airline....
, a regional low-cost no-frills airline. Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines is the flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and its secondary hub in Kota Kinabalu International Airport....
 also operate flights from Senai airport to some local and international destinations.

Government structure of Johor


Monarchy


Johor is a constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a form of constitutional government, where in either an elected or hereditary monarch is the head of state, unlike in an absolute monarchy, wherein the king or the queen is the sole source of political power, as he or she is not legally bound by the constitution....
. Johor was the first state in Malaysia to adopt the constitutional monarchy system via Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor
Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor

Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor, or Johor State Establishment Constitution is a set of law in Johor, Malaysia, which becomes the base constitution for the state....
 (Johor State Establishment Constitution) written by Sultan Abu Bakar
Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor

Almarhum Paduka Sri Sultan Sir Abu Bakar ibni Daeng Ibrahim, Order of St Michael and St George, Order of the Star of India, was the 21st Sultan of Johor in Malaysia....
. The constitutional head of Johor is the Sultan
Sultan

Sultan is an Islamic honorifics, with several historical meanings. Originally it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", or "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ???? sulah, meaning "authority" or "power"....
. This hereditary position can only be held by a member of the Johor Royal Family, who is descended from Sultan Abu Bakar
Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor

Almarhum Paduka Sri Sultan Sir Abu Bakar ibni Daeng Ibrahim, Order of St Michael and St George, Order of the Star of India, was the 21st Sultan of Johor in Malaysia....
. The State's Sultan since 1981 has been Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj.

Johor was the first state and currently the only state in Malaysia that has its own military force called Johor Military Force or 'Timbalan Setia Negeri'. It is a private army of the Sultan of Johor.

State government




The state government is headed by the Chief Minister or Menteri Besar. The current Chief Minister is Dato' Abdul Ghani Othman, a former civil servant. The Chief Minister is assisted by an executive council (exco), whose members are selected from the state assembly members.

The legislative branch of Johor's government is the Johor State Assembly. The state assembly makes laws in matters regarding the state. Members of the Assembly are elected by citizens every five years by universal suffrage.

Districts

The state of Johor is divided into the districts of

  • Johor Bahru
    Johor Bahru District

    This article refers to a district in the state of Johor in Malaysia. For other uses, see Johor Bahru The Johor Bahru district is located in the southern part of Johor, separated from Singapore by Straits of Johor....
     1817.8 km², population 1,370,738 (2005)
  1. Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru
    Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru

    Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru or Johor Bahru City Council is a local authority which administrates Johor Bahru and other areas of the Iskandar Malaysia area....
     (Abbreviation as MBJB or City Hall of Johor Bahru. It covers an area of Daerah Sentral JB, Tampoi, Pelangi, Pasir Pelangi, Rinting, Tasek Utara, Pandan, Permas Jaya, Kangkar Tebrau, Kempas, Larkin, Majidee, Mount Austin, Kawasan Tebrau) (website: http://www.mbjb.gov.my)
  2. Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru Tengah
    Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru Tengah

    Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru Tengah or Johor Bahru Tengah Municipal Council is a local authority which administrates Central Johor Bahru District and other areas of the Iskandar Malaysia area....
     (MPJBT It covers an area of Masai, Plentong, Ulu Tiram, Gelang Patah, Skudai, Pulai, Nusajaya, Ulu Choh, Lima Kedai (http://www.johordt.gov.my/mpjbt/bm/utama/kaw_pentd.htm)
  3. Majlis Perbandaran Pasir Gudang
    Majlis Perbandaran Pasir Gudang

    Majlis Perbandaran Pasir Gudang or Pasir Gudang Municipal Council is a local authority which administrates Pasir Gudang and other areas of the Iskandar Malaysia area....
     (MPPG covers an area of Pasir Gudang Industrial Estate, Kota Masai, Pasir Putih, Air Biru, Tanjung Langsat, Scientex, Nusa Damai, Kong Kong, Sg. Tiram)(http://www.mppg.gov.my/)


  • Kulaijaya
    Kulaijaya

    Kulaijaya District is a district in the state of Johor in peninsular Malaysia around the town of Kulai. It covers Kulai Town, Ayer Bemban, Bukit Batu, Kangkar Pulai, Kelapa Sawit, Saleng, Sedenak, Seelong, Senai, and Sengkang....
     753.45 km², population: 192,000 (2005)
  1. Majlis Perbandaran Kulai (Majlis Perbandaran Kulai) (Covers an area of Senai, Kulai Town, Sedenak, Ayer Bemban)


  • Pontian
    Pontian

    Pontian may refer to:*Pope Pontian - a third century Pope*Pontian, Johor - a district in Johor, Malaysia*Pontian Greeks - a group of ethnic Greek who inhabited northern Turkey...
     919.5 km², population: 160,722 (2005)
  1. Majlis Daerah Pontian


  • Kota Tinggi
    Kota Tinggi

    Kota Tinggi is a small town in the state of Johor of Malaysia, located around 42 kilometers north-east of Johor Bahru, on the road to Mersing....
     3488.7 km², population: 212,558 (2005)
  1. Majlis Daerah Kota Tinggi


  • Kluang
    Kluang

    Kluang is a town and district located roughly in the middle of the state of Johor in Malaysia. Kluang lies about 110km north of Johor Bahru, east-southeast of Batu Pahat, west of Mersing and south of Segamat....
     2851.8 km², population: 295,373 (2005)
  1. Majlis Perbandaran Kluang (Majlis Daerah Kluang Utara)
  2. Majlis Daerah Simpang Renggam (Majlis Daerah Kluang Selatan)


  • Segamat
    Segamat

    Segamat is a town and district located in the north of the state of Johor in Malaysia, bordering two other states of Malaysia . It is located roughly 172 kilometres from Johor Bahru, the capital city of Johor State....
     2851.26 km², population: 198,142 (2005)
  1. Majlis Daerah Segamat (Majlis Daerah Segamat Utara)
  2. Majlis Daerah Labis (Majlis Daerah Segamat Selatan)


  • Muar
    Muar

    Muar may refer to one of two places in Johor, Malaysia.*Muar , a district in Johor.*Muar , a town in the district of Muar....
     2346.12 km², population: 373,587 (2005)
  1. Majlis Perbandaran Muar (Majlis Daerah Muar Selatan)


  • Ledang
    Ledang

    Ledang is a new district in Johor, Malaysia. The district's principal town is Tangkak. The new Ledang district covers Tangkak town, Tanjung Agas, Kesang, Sungai Mati, Serom, Sagil and Bukit Gambir....
     970.24 km², population: 58,501 (2005)
  1. Majlis Daerah Tangkak (Majlis Daerah Tangkak)


  • Batu Pahat
    Batu Pahat

    Batu Pahat is a district in the state of Johor, Malaysia. It lies south-east of Muar , south-west of Kluang, north-west of Pontian, Johor, and south of Segamat and the new Ledang district....
     1878 km², population: 382,175 (2005)
  1. Majlis Perbandaran Batu Pahat (Majlis Daerah Batu Pahat Barat)
  2. Majlis Daerah Yong Peng (Majlis Daerah Batu Pahat Timur)


  • Mersing
    Mersing

    Mersing is the name of a town and district in the northeast corner in the state of Johor, Malaysia. It is a lively tourist town visited by Malaysians and foreign tourists who come to enjoy the quiet life, great seafood, unspoilt beaches and exotic flora and fauna of the East Coast of mainland West Malaysia....
     2838.6 km², population: 73,920 (2005)
  1. Majlis Daerah Mersing

Economy


Iskandar Malaysia


The Iskandar Malaysia (
formerly known as Iskandar Development Region and South Johor Economic Region), encompassing Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
 and Nusajaya is a major development zone in Johor. It is named after the present sultan, Iskandar Al-haj. At 2215 km², it is two-and-a-half times bigger than Singapore and 48 times the size of Putrajaya
Putrajaya

Putrajaya, a planned city located just south of Kuala Lumpur, is the new federal administrative capital of Malaysia. Several Government offices have relocated there to gain relief from the overcrowding and congestion of Kuala Lumpur, which is Malaysia's largest city....
. It is intended to draw investment and business to Johor and will be among the biggest development projects in Malaysia. As part of the project, the state administrative capital will be moved to Nusajaya.

Education


Johor has several institutions of higher learning. It has three universities, namely Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is the oldest public engineering and technology university in Malaysia and is known by the abbreviation UTM....
 situated in Skudai, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat (), Universiti Teknologi MARA
Universiti Teknologi MARA

Universiti Teknologi MARA is a Malaysian public university. The university motto is Usaha Taqwa Mulia .The main objective of this institution is to provide maximum opportunities for Bumiputras to pursue professional programmes of study in various fields including science, law, engineering, medicine, technology, business, arts and hum...
 Johor ( ) in Segamat
Segamat

Segamat is a town and district located in the north of the state of Johor in Malaysia, bordering two other states of Malaysia . It is located roughly 172 kilometres from Johor Bahru, the capital city of Johor State....
 and several polytechnics. Johor also has a teaching college called Maktab Perguruan Temenggung Ibrahim. It has one non-profit community college called situated in Skudai. Southern College was established in 1990 owing to the generous support from the communities. It is the first non-profit community college in the country wholly funded by public donation and is open to Malaysian students of all races.

At the primary level, Muslim
Muslim

:A Muslim , , is an adherent of the religion of Islam. The feminine form is Muslimah . Literally, the word means "one who submits "....
 Johorean students are required to attend Islamic religious school in addition to national school. Many Malay Johoreans have competent skills in Jawi script
Jawi

Jawi is an adapted Arabic alphabet for writing the Malay language.Jawi is one of the two official scripts in Brunei and Malaysia as the script for the Malay language....
, the official script in Johor since 1885, which is still used in Islamic religious and Malay cultural matters.

Places of interest


Major tourist attractions

Among the popular tourist destinations in Johor are:
  1. Desaru
    Desaru

    Desaru is a beach and resort area in Johor, Malaysia. It is located approximately 88 kilometers east of Johor Bahru, on the South China Sea. It is a very popular weekend escape for residents of Singapore who come to enjoy the attractive 25 km stretch of beaches and splendid golf courses....
     - beaches & golf courses along the South China Sea
  2. Johor Bahru
    Johor Bahru

    Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
     - shopping, night market, colonial/royal district
  3. Endau Rompin National Park
    Endau Rompin National Park

    Endau Rompin National Park is a protected tropical rainforest in Malaysia. It is an area south of the state of Pahang and to the northeast of Johor covering an approximate area of 870 km?, effectively making it is the second largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia after Taman Negara, with approximately 26 km of trail....
     - pristine jungle
  4. Kota Tinggi
    Kota Tinggi

    Kota Tinggi is a small town in the state of Johor of Malaysia, located around 42 kilometers north-east of Johor Bahru, on the road to Mersing....
     34 meter waterfall.
  5. Kukup
    Kukup

    Kukup is a small fishing village located about 40 kilometres southwest of Johor Bahru, in the district of Pontian, Johor, on the Strait of Malacca in Malaysia....
     - a fishing village with seafood restaurants built over water
  6. Muar
    Muar

    Muar may refer to one of two places in Johor, Malaysia.*Muar , a district in Johor.*Muar , a town in the district of Muar....
     - picturesque riverside town
  7. Seribuat Archipelago - islands with beautiful beaches, coral reefs
  8. Tanjung Piai
    Tanjung Piai

    Tanjung Piai is a cape in Johor which is the southernmost point of Peninsular Malaysia and thus the most southern point of mainland Asia. The skyline of Singapore is visible across the Johor Strait from the point....
     - the southernmost tip of mainland Asia
  9. Danga Bay
    Danga Bay

    Danga Bay or Teluk Danga is the largest recreational park in the city of Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. It is located near Istana Bukit Serene, about 7 km from Johor Bahru's city center....
     - The new waterfront city
  10. Pekan Air Panas
    Pekan Air Panas

    Pekan Air Panas is a small town in the district of Segamat, Johor, Malaysia which is named after the hot springs available there. It is located about 14 km from Labis via Jalan Ayer Panas ....
     - hot springs,waterfall,local fruits available
  11. Bandar Nusajaya
    Bandar Nusajaya

    Nusajaya is a regional city and when completed will be the new administration centre of Johor, Malaysia. The town is currently under construction with some housing phases already completed and launched....
     - new admistration of Johor Government
  12. Pulau Dayang - major diving attraction, snorkling, fishing


National parks and forest reserves

Johor is also noted for its national parks. Johor currently has five national parks, with a combined area of more than 700 km² and several smaller recreational forest. Almost all recreational parks are based around a mountain. Johor also has the third largest mangrove forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia (167 km²).

Mausoleum of Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang


Cultural heritage of Johor


Culture in Johor is influenced by visitors and traders throughout history. A major influence was the Bugis
Bugis

The Bugis are the most numerous of the three major linguistic and ethnic groups of South Sulawesi, the southwestern province of Sulawesi, Indonesia's third largest island....
 - who first set foot in Malaysia in Johor before continuing on to Melaka and Selangor
Selangor

Selangor is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west....
 - Java
Java

Java is an island of Indonesia and the site of its Capital city, Jakarta. Once the centre of powerful Hindu kingdoms, The spread of Islam in Indonesia , and the core of the colonial Dutch East Indies, Java now plays a dominant role in the economic and political life of Indonesia....
nese and the Arab
Arab

An Arab is a person who Identity as such on linguistic or cultural grounds. The plural form, Arabs , refers to the Ethnocultural group at large....
s. They had a powerful impact on the politics of Johor and Selangor. The strong Arab influence is apparent in art performances like Zapin and Hamdolok, musical instruments like gambus. Other visible legacies in Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
 are the Arabic names of places such as
Wadi Hana and Wadi Hassan in areas populated by the Arab community from Hadhramaut
Hadhramaut

Hadhramaut, Hadhramout, or Hadramawt is a historical region of the south Arabian Peninsula along the Gulf of Aden in the Arabian Sea, extending eastwards from Yemen to the Dhofar region of Oman....
 in the southeast of Yemen
Yemen

Yemen , officially the Republic of Yemen is an Arab country located on the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia. Yemen has an estimated population of more than 23 million people and is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the North, the Red Sea to the West, the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden to the South, and Oman to the east....
. Wadi
Wadi

Wadi is the Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley; in some cases it may refer to a dry Stream bed that contains water only during times of heavy rain....
 means valley in Arabic
Arabic language

Arabic is a Central Semitic language, thus related to and classified alongside other Semitic languages languages such as Hebrew language and Aramaic language....
.

Language

The Johorean dialect of the Malay
Malay language

The Malay language is an Austronesian languages spoken by the Malays and people of other ethnic groups who reside in Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Singapore, central eastern Sumatra, the Riau Islands and parts of the coast of Borneo....
, also known as Johor-Riau Malay and originally spoken in Johor, Riau, Malacca
Malacca

Malacca is the third smallest States of Malaysia, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Strait of Malacca....
 and Singapore
Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country microstate located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands....
, has been adopted as the basis for both the Malaysia
Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation that consists of States of Malaysia in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of . The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government....
n and Indonesia
Indonesia

The Republic of Indonesia , is a transcontinental country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Comprising Islands of Indonesia, it is the world's largest Archipelago state....
n national languages, Malay and Indonesian
Indonesian language

Indonesian is the official national language of Indonesia. It is based on a version of Malay language from the Riau islands in western Indonesia, today called Riau Indonesian....
, respectively. Due to Johor's location at the confluence of trade routes within and without the Malay Archipelago
Malay Archipelago

The Malay Archipelago and Maritime Southeast Asia are names given to the archipelago located between mainland Southeast Asia and Australia....
, as well as the former economic might and influence of Malacca and Johor, the dialect spread as the region's
lingua franca
Lingua franca

A lingua franca is a language systematically used to communicate between persons not sharing a mother tongue, in particular when it is a third language, distinct from both persons' mother tongues....
since the 15th century; hence the adoption of the dialect as the basis for the national languages.

Clothing

  • Cekak Musang and Teluk Belanga are types of collar design for the male garment 'baju melayu'. It is said that Teluk Belanga was designed by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866 to commemorate the shift of Johor's capital from Teluk Belanga to Johor Bahru. The Teluk Belanga design is a simple hemmed round collar with a stiff stitching called 'tulang belut' or 'eel's spine', with a loop at the end to fit a 'kancing'. This collar design creates an exposed neck in contrast to the neck-covering Cekak Musang design that is a raised stiff collar of about 1-2 cm with an opening down to the chest. The collar ends have matching holes to fit buttons.
  • Kurung Johor
  • Kurung Riau
  • Belah kebaya panjang


Zapin dance

Zapin is a dance form which is popular in Malaysia, especially in the state of Johor. It is believed to have been introduced by Muslim missionaries from the Middle East in the 14th century.

In the old days only males were allowed to perform it, but nowadays female dancers are included. It used to be performed exclusively for religious ceremonies but through the years it has become a form of traditional entertainment.

The dancers usually perform in pairs and are accompanied by a traditional music ensemble normally consisting of the gambus, accordion, violin, marwas (bongos), rebana (drum) and dok.

Kuda Kepang

Kuda kepang is a dance or game performed by Johoreans, especially of Javanese descent. Kuda kepang is a legless horse-shaped puppet that is straddled by the performers. Usually, a troupe of performers consists of 10 to 15 people. It is performed at wedding ceremonies and cultural celebrations. There are several possible origins of Kuda Kepang. It is said to derive from the struggles of “Wali Songo”, a group of nine Islamic preachers in Java. Others said it originated from the movement of horses commanded by Ali, the fourth Muslim Caliph. There are several dance rhythms or patterns: the 'Sola', 'Selendang', 'Pak Tani', 'Pucuk Rebung', 'Perjuangan', and 'Mempertahankan Diri'. The bobbing movement of the performers and their horse puppet is called 'Lenggang Kiprah'.

The musical instruments used in kuda kepang performance are 'angklong', 'gendang', 'gong', 'kinong', 'jidor', 'soron kecil' and 'bonang'.

Legend of Badang

This is a story of Badang, a slave who gained super human strength by eating the vomitous of a river spirit. He used this to win his release from his master. Contrary to popular belief, Badang was born in Sayong Pinang, Johor, not Singapore or Temasik as it was known then. Upon hearing his strength, he was summoned by the Seri Rama Wira Kerma of Temasik where he displayed his skills. Challengers were sent by foreign kingdoms to defeat him. Among them were King of Kalinga I from India who sent Nadi Bijaya Pikrama, a fierce wrestler, and the noblemen of Perlak who sent Benderang. Badang emerged victorious from both fights and eventually stayed in Temasik until his death.

Legend of Malim Deman

Malim Deman is a king in Segamat
Segamat

Segamat is a town and district located in the north of the state of Johor in Malaysia, bordering two other states of Malaysia . It is located roughly 172 kilometres from Johor Bahru, the capital city of Johor State....
 who was in love with Princess Santan Bertapis. The princess was kidnapped by a spirit and Malim Deman swore that as long as the princess is not returned, the Segamat area shall experience floods for all eternity. However, with modern town planning and irrigation, flooding is now a rare occurrence in Segamat.

Legend of Gunung Ledang

See main article Legend of Gunung Ledang
Legend of Gunung Ledang

The Legend of Gunung Ledang revolves around a princess that allegedly lived on Mount Ophir in Johor, Malaysia....


Awang's spear returned to Dayang

Lembing Awang pulang ke Dayang (Awang's spear Returned to Dayang) is an incident that occurred in Parit Raja, Muar
Muar

Muar may refer to one of two places in Johor, Malaysia.*Muar , a district in Johor.*Muar , a town in the district of Muar....
. In Malay
Malay language

The Malay language is an Austronesian languages spoken by the Malays and people of other ethnic groups who reside in Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Singapore, central eastern Sumatra, the Riau Islands and parts of the coast of Borneo....
 it is translated as 'Lembing Awang Pulang ke Dayang'. It occurred in 1776 when a man called Awang returned to Parit Raja after more than 3 years abroad to marry his fiancee Dayang. Upon his return, he found out that another man called Bachok had told Dayang of Awang's death and she was to be married to him the next day. Awang showed up at the wedding and using a spear given by Raja Bugis
Bugis

The Bugis are the most numerous of the three major linguistic and ethnic groups of South Sulawesi, the southwestern province of Sulawesi, Indonesia's third largest island....
, he speared Bachok in the stomach. Bachok, fatally injured, grabbed the spear in his stomach and speared his best man. The man then speared the next man he saw and this was repeated until the 99th person was speared. It was Dayang's father who was protecting Dayang. He did not continue the repeated spearing and died. Awang ran away to Endau
Endau

Endau is a small town in Malaysia. It lies on the northern tip of east Johor and the southern tip of Pahang. It is famous as one of the largest fishing ports on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia....
 and Dayang did not marry another until she died.

Hamdolok

Hamdolok originated from the exposure of Middle East culture introduced by Arabs in Johor. It is a traditional theatre performed during weddings and festivals. It is a blend of artistic characters of both the Middle-East and local Malay communities. Instruments used include the gambus, tambourine
Tambourine

The tambourine or Marine is a musical instrument of the Percussion instrument family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils"....
, maraca
Maraca

Maracas is a native instrument of Puerto Rico. They are simple percussion instruments , usually played in pairs, consisting of a dried calabash or gourd shell or coconut shell filled with seeds or dried beans....
s and conga drums. It was also inspired by the Bedouin celebrating the birth of Islamic prophet Muhammad playing musical instruments and reciting poetry.

History


The history of Johor from the late 1500s to the late 1600s is characterised by a series of succession struggles interspersed with strategic alliances struck with regional clans and foreign powers to maintain its political and economic hold in the Straits. In competition with the Aceh
Aceh

Aceh is a Provinces of Indonesia of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Its full name is Nanggr?e Aceh Darussalam....
nese of northern Sumatra
Sumatra

Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the list of islands by area in the world ....
 and the port-kingdom of Malacca under Portuguese rule, Johor engaged in prolonged warfare with their rivals, often striking alliances with friendly Malay states
Malay states

Within Malaysia, the Malay states are the nine states of Peninsular Malaysia that have hereditary Malay Ruler. In practice, these Rulers are figureheads and follow the principles of constitutional monarchy....
 and with the Dutch. In 1641 Johor in cooperation with the Dutch
Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy. The Netherlands is located in North-West Europe, and bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east....
 succeeded in capturing Malacca. By 1660, Johor had become a flourishing entrepôt, although weakening and splintering of the empire in the late seventeenth and eighteenth century reduced its sovereignty.

In the 18th century, the Bugis
Bugis

The Bugis are the most numerous of the three major linguistic and ethnic groups of South Sulawesi, the southwestern province of Sulawesi, Indonesia's third largest island....
 of Sulawesi
Sulawesi

Sulawesi is one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands....
 and the Minangkabau
Minangkabau

The Minangkabau ethnic group is indigenous to the highlands of West Sumatra, in Indonesia. Their culture is matrilineal, with property and land passing down from mother to daughter, while religious and political affairs are the province of men ....
 of Sumatra controlled the political powers in the Johor-Riau Empire. However, in the early 19th century, Malay and Bugis rivalry commanded the scene. In 1819, the Johor-Riau Empire was divided up into the mainland Johor, controlled by the Temenggong, and the Sultanate of Riau-Lingga, controlled by the Bugis. This is when the history of modern Johor began. In 1855, under the terms of a treaty between the British in Singapore and Sultan Ali of Johor
Sultan Ali of Johor

Almarhum Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Hussein Mohammed Shah is the 19th Sultan of Johor, and was the Sultan of Johor from 1825 following his father's death until 1855....
, control of the State was formally ceded to Dato' Temenggong Daing Ibrahim, with the exception of the Kesang area (Muar
Muar

Muar may refer to one of two places in Johor, Malaysia.*Muar , a district in Johor.*Muar , a town in the district of Muar....
), which was finally handed over in 1877. Temenggong Ibrahim opened up Bandar Tanjung Puteri (later to become Johor's present-day capital) in south Johor as a major town.
Flag of Johor
Temenggong Ibrahim was succeeded by his son, Dato' Temenggong Abu Bakar, who later took the title Seri Maharaja Johor. In 1886, he was formally crowned the Sultan of Johor. Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor
Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor

Almarhum Paduka Sri Sultan Sir Abu Bakar ibni Daeng Ibrahim, Order of St Michael and St George, Order of the Star of India, was the 21st Sultan of Johor in Malaysia....
 (1864-1895) was the one who gave Johor its own constitution and developed its efficient administration system and constructed the Istana Besar, the official residence of the Sultan. Due to these achievements, Sultan Abu Bakar is known by the title "Father of Modern Johor". He is immortalized at the Sultan Abu Bakar Monument. The monument is built on the seafront directly opposite the courthouse.

The increased demand for black pepper
Black pepper

Black pepper is a flowering plant vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning....
 and gambier
Uncaria

Uncaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae, native to Asia, Africa, and South America. They are known colloquially as Gambier, Cat's Claw or U?a de Gato....
 in the nineteenth century lead to the opening up of farmlands to the influx of Chinese immigrants, creating Johor's initial economic base. The Kangchu
Kangchu

The Kangchu system is a system which was used once during the Johor Sultanate. This system cause Johor to flourish in its economy.First introduced by Temenggung of Johor, Daeng Ibrahim, this system bring in Chinese labours from the mainland of China to develop the pepper and gambier plantation in Johor....
 system was put in place with the first settlement of Kangkar Tebrau established in 1844. The decline of the Kangchu
Kangchu

The Kangchu system is a system which was used once during the Johor Sultanate. This system cause Johor to flourish in its economy.First introduced by Temenggung of Johor, Daeng Ibrahim, this system bring in Chinese labours from the mainland of China to develop the pepper and gambier plantation in Johor....
 economy at the end of the 19th century coincided with the opening of the railway line connecting Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
 and the Federated Malay States
Federated Malay States

The Federated Malay States was a federation of four protected states in the Malay Peninsula—Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang—established by the United Kingdom government in 1895, which lasted until 1946, when they, together with the Straits Settlements and the Unfederated Malay States, formed the Malayan Union....
 in 1909 and the emergence of rubber
Rubber

Natural rubber is an elastomer?an Elasticity_ hydrocarbon polymer?that was originally derived from a milky colloidal suspension, or latex , found in the sap of some plants....
 plantations throughout the state. Under the British Resident system, Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan Abu Bakar's successor, was forced to accept a British adviser in 1904. D.G. Campbell was dispatched as the first British adviser to Johor. From the 1910s to the 1940s, Johor emerged as Malaya's top rubber producing state, a position it has held until recently. Johor was also until recently the largest oil palm
Oil palm

The oil palms comprise two species of the Arecaceae, or palm family. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis is native to west Africa, occurring between Angola and Gambia, while the American Oil Palm Elaeis oleifera is native to tropical Central America and South A...
 producer in Malaysia.

During World War II, Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
 became the last city on the Malay peninsula to fall under the Japanese. General Yamashita Tomoyuki had his headquarters on top of Bukit Serene and coordinated the downfall of Singapore
Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country microstate located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands....
.

Johor gave birth to the Malay opposition which derailed the Malayan Union
Malayan Union

The Malayan Union was a federation of the Malay states and the Straits Settlements excluding Singapore. It was the successor to British Malaya and was conceived to unify the Malay Peninsula under a single government so as to simplify administration....
 plan. Malays under Dato' Onn Jaafar's leadership formed the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in Johor on 11 May 1946. (UMNO is currently the main component party of Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional

Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia. Formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance , it has been Malaysia's ruling political party since independence....
 coalition.) In 1948, Johor joined the Federation of Malaya
Federation of Malaya

The Federation of Malaya , is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. Comprising the nine Malay states and the United Kingdom Straits Settlements of Penang and Malacca, it was eventually superseded by Malaysia....
, which gained Independence in 1957.

Geography


Physical

In the official census of 2000, the population of Johor was 2.75 million people with 54% Malays, 35% Chinese, 7% Indians and 4% others. It is the fifth largest state (18,984 km²) of Malaysia
Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation that consists of States of Malaysia in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of . The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government....
. It is the southernmost state in Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia , also known as Malaya or West Malaysia, is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula, and shares a land border with Thailand in the north....
, being south of Melaka, Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan , meaning "state of nine" in Malay language, is one of the 13 states that consitute the Federation of Malaysia. It is located on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and is bordered in the north by Selangor, in the east by Pahang and in the south by Malacca and Johor....
 and Pahang
Pahang

Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea....
 and north of Singapore
Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country microstate located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands....
, from which it is separated by the Straits of Johor
Straits of Johor

The Straits of Johor is a strait that separates the Malaysian state of Johor to the north from Singapore to the south.Major tributaries which empty into the Straits of Johor include:...
. The highest point in Johor is Gunung (mountain) Ledang (1276 m). Gunung Ledang is also known as Mount Ophir. Johor is the only state in Malaysia which has a 400 km beach stretching on both the East and the West coast.

Johor has 8 large islands with numerous smaller ones.
  1. Pulau Tinggi
    Pulau Tinggi

    Pulau Tinggi, otherwise known as Tinggi Island is a large sparsely inhabited island, which rises 2000 ft above sea level off the east coast of Johor, Malaysia....
  2. Pulau Rawa
    Pulau Rawa

    Rawa Island is a coral island off the east coast of Johor, Malaysia, 16 km by boat from Mersing. It is popular with tourists from Malaysia and Singapore, who come to enjoy its relatively unspoiled white sand beaches, snorkelling and scuba diving....
  3. Pulau Sibu
    Pulau Sibu

    Pulau Sibu is a small island off Malaysia's eastern coast, facing the South China Sea. It is actually made up of several islands namely Sibu Besar Island, Sibu Tengah Island, Sibu Kukus Island and Sibu Hujung Island....
  4. Pulau Tengah
    Pulau Tengah

    Tengah Island is an uninhabited island. It lies nine nautical miles off the coast of Mersing on the South China Sea off the east coast of Johor, Malaysia....
  5. Pulau Pemanggil
    Pulau Pemanggil

    Pemanggil Island sits 45 km east of Mersing, the take-off point to most islands off the Southern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is situated next to Tioman, requires a 4 to 5 hours ride by boat from Mersing....
  6. Pulau Aur
    Pulau Aur

    Pulau Aur, known locally as Aur Island, lies about 65km east of Mersing, Johor, Malaysia. It is part of the Johor Marine Park.Its corals, lagoons and offshore pools make it a tourist attraction....
  7. Pulau Dayang
  8. Pulau Besar
    Pulau Besar

    Pulau Besar is the name of many islands in Malaysia and Indonesia. In the Malay language, it is known as Big Island.See Also:* Pulau Besar ...
  9. Pulau Lima


Weather

Johor experiences wet equatorial weather with monsoon rain from November until February blowing from the South China Sea
South China Sea

The South China Sea is a marginal sea*south of China,*west of the Philippines,*north west of Sabah , Sarawak and Brunei,*north of Indonesia,...
. Average annual rainfall is 1778 mm with average temperature of between 25.5 °C (78 °F) and 27.8 °C (82 °F). Humidity is between 82 and 86%.

Hundred Year Peak Rain Fall

On 19 December 2006, a continuously heavy downpour occurred in Johor. Many towns such as Muar
Muar

Muar may refer to one of two places in Johor, Malaysia.*Muar , a district in Johor.*Muar , a town in the district of Muar....
, Kota Tinggi
Kota Tinggi

Kota Tinggi is a small town in the state of Johor of Malaysia, located around 42 kilometers north-east of Johor Bahru, on the road to Mersing....
 and Segamat
Segamat

Segamat is a town and district located in the north of the state of Johor in Malaysia, bordering two other states of Malaysia . It is located roughly 172 kilometres from Johor Bahru, the capital city of Johor State....
 were seriously flooded with water levels as high as above ground level recorded in some areas. 15 lives were lost and many possessions destroyed, and this resulted in huge financial losses in Johor. More than 100,000 victims were evacuated to flood relief centres.

Links to Singapore


Johor is linked to Singapore via two road connections: the Johor-Singapore Causeway
Johor-Singapore Causeway

File:Singapore-Johor Causeway.jpgThe Johor-Singapore Causeway is a 1,056-metre causeway that links the city of Johor Bahru in Malaysia across the Straits of Johor to the town of Woodlands, Singapore in Singapore....
 and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link
Malaysia-Singapore Second Link

Malaysia-Singapore Second Link is a bridge connecting Singapore and Johor, Malaysia. In Singapore, it is officially known as the Tuas Second Link....
. The Causeway also carries a railway line, which is now part of the main rail route linking Singapore with Thailand via Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Butterworth.

The Johor-Singapore Causeway
Johor-Singapore Causeway

File:Singapore-Johor Causeway.jpgThe Johor-Singapore Causeway is a 1,056-metre causeway that links the city of Johor Bahru in Malaysia across the Straits of Johor to the town of Woodlands, Singapore in Singapore....
 (length: 1038 m) was designed by Messrs Coode, Fizmaurice, Wilson and Mitchell of Westminster
Westminster

Westminster is an area of Central London, within the City of Westminster. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross....
, while the construction contract was awarded to Topham, Jones & Railton Ltd of London
London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
. It started in 1909 as a railway link by Johor State Railway to connect Johor Bahru to Singapore, then the administrative headquarters of British interests in South-East Asia. Construction of the road section started in 1919 and was completed in 1923.

The causeway has been a source of contention ever since Singapore seceded from Malaysia in 1965
History of Singapore

Singapore rose in importance during the 14th century under the rule of Srivijayan prince Parameswara and became an important port until it was destroyed by Portuguese raiders in 1613....
. Stagnating water caused by the Causeway has raised health concerns in Johor. Malaysia proposed to replace the causeway with a bridge
Bridge

A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, Rail tracks, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle....
, allowing water, tide movement and ship movement from Pasir Gudang, the older port in Johor to the new port in Gelang Patah through the Straits of Johor. Singapore rejected this proposal, after which Malaysia came up with the idea of what became known as "the crooked half-bridge", 25m above water level, and descending halfway to link up with the low-level causeway. The railway was to have a swing bridge
Swing bridge

A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring at or near to its center, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration below....
. The scheme was part of the Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu project. It had been previously announced that the bridge project would go ahead, even without the agreement of the Singaporean government. The bridge would become a straight bridge if the Singaporean government accepted the project. Construction work on the bridge has stopped, however, on the orders of the Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Datuk Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who has served as Prime Minister of Malaysia since 2003. He is also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and leads the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition....
, who cited the unwillingness of Malaysia to sell sand and allow the use of Malaysian airspace by Singapore as a return for Singaporean consent to the bridge's construction.

Animosity between previous leaders of both countries has abated with the rise of new leaders, Abdullah Badawi as Malaysian Prime Minister replacing Mahathir Mohamad and Lee Hsien Loong
Lee Hsien Loong

Lee, Hsien Loong is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore of Singapore. Lee Hsien Loong is married to Ho Ching, who is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the government-owned Temasek Holdings....
 in Singapore replacing Goh Chok Tong
Goh Chok Tong

Goh Chok Tong , was the second Prime Minister of Singapore of the Republic of Singapore from November 28 1990 to August 12 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew....
. It has renewed talks and improved relations between countries.

Some analysts have concluded that replacing the causeway with a bridge would allow a creation of a comprehensive port system linking Johor Port and Tanjung Pelepas Port in Johor; some go on to suggest that this presents a threat to Singapore's port activity, thus explaining the initial reluctance of Singapore to agree to the causeway's replacement.

The second road connection, the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link
Malaysia-Singapore Second Link

Malaysia-Singapore Second Link is a bridge connecting Singapore and Johor, Malaysia. In Singapore, it is officially known as the Tuas Second Link....
, was completed in October 1997; the link consists of a 1920 m twin-deck bridge supporting a dual-three lane carriageway linking Kampong Ladang in Tanjung Kupang
Tanjung Kupang

Tanjung Kupang is a small village near Nusajaya in Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia....
, Johor, to Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim in Tuas
Tuas

Tuas is largely an Industry zone located in the western part of Singapore. The Tuas Planning Area is located within the West Region, Singapore, and is bounded by Tengeh Reservoir to the north, Strait of Johor to the west, Straits of Singapore to the south, and the Pan Island Expressway to the east....
, Singapore.

See also Geography and climate of Singapore
Geography and climate of Singapore

The geography of Singapore is marked by a small, heavily urbanised, island city-state in Southeast Asia, located at southern tip of the Malayan Peninsula between Malaysia and Indonesia....
.

Songs of Johor

The most famous song about Johor and Johor Bahru
Tanjung Puteri

Tambak Johor Tanjung Puteri

Selat Tebrau airnya biru

Di Pantai Lido tepian mandi

Sepanjang masa di hari minggu

Atas bukit Tanjung Puteri

Taman hiburan indah berseri

Pemandangan menawan hati

Jalan tambak hubungan negeri

(chorus)

Tanjung Sekijang nun di kuala

Tempat nelayan mengail gelama

Istana Hinggap di Kuala Danga

Pantai berkelah keluarga diRaja

Dari Tebrau orang berakit

Singgah Stulang membeli kopi

Pusara si Bongkok di lereng bukit

Di tepi pantai Tanjung Puteri



Cuisine

Dishes and cuisine in Johor are influenced by Arabs and the surrounding Malay archipelago
Malay Archipelago

The Malay Archipelago and Maritime Southeast Asia are names given to the archipelago located between mainland Southeast Asia and Australia....
. Some of the dishes are a unique blend of ingredients not found anywhere else in Malaysia
Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation that consists of States of Malaysia in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of . The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government....
. Sadly, due to their difficult and sometimes complicated recipes, some are rare delights that can be sampled only in celebrations and state banquets.

  • Laksa
    Laksa

    Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup from Peranakan culture also known as Baba and Nyonya, which is a merger of Chinese Cuisine and Cuisine of Malaysia elements found in Malaysia and Singapore....
     Johor
    is a cuisine originated from Johor. It differs from Laksa Penang by having coconut
    Coconut

    The Coconut Palm is a member of the Family Arecaceae . It is the only species in the genus Cocos, and is a large palm, growing to 30 m tall, with pinnate leaf 4-6 m long, pinnae 60-90 cm long; old leaves break away cleanly leaving the trunk smooth....
     milk added during cooking. It also differs from other laksas by using spaghetti
    Spaghetti

    Spaghetti is a long, thin, cylindrical pasta of Italy origin. A variety of pasta dishes are based on it, from spaghetti with cheese and pepper or garlic and oil to a spaghetti with tomato, meat, and other sauces....
     instead of rice-based noodles.


  • Mee Bandung Muar is also a dish originated from Johor, specifically from Muar
    Muar

    Muar may refer to one of two places in Johor, Malaysia.*Muar , a district in Johor.*Muar , a town in the district of Muar....
    . The term 'bandung' is not derived from Bandung
    Bandung

    Bandung Indonesian: Kota Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and Bandung Metropolitan Area, with 7.4 million in 2007....
    , Indonesia
    Indonesia

    The Republic of Indonesia , is a transcontinental country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Comprising Islands of Indonesia, it is the world's largest Archipelago state....
     but is a term for anything that is mixed from many ingredients.


  • Penganan Kacau keledek is a dessert normally reserved for the Johor monarch and elites. It is made from sweet potatoes, a lot of eggs (at least 40), fresh coconut milk (not instant ones) and huge amounts of sugar. It is mixed together and stirred on a simmering heat for at least 4 hours.


  • Mee rebus is the famous noodle dish which consists of Mee (a spaghetti like mixture of flour, salt and egg) and is served with a tangy, spicy brown sauce. Usually crumbs and boiled eggs are added.


  • Arisa - A unique chicken dish that is very rare nowadays, and is normally served to the royalties and social elites of Johor at formal functions and celebrations.


  • Sate - A favourite Malay food in Johor, mostly found in Johor Bahru
    Johor Bahru

    Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, or Johore Bahru and abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia....
     and Muar
    Muar

    Muar may refer to one of two places in Johor, Malaysia.*Muar , a district in Johor.*Muar , a town in the district of Muar....
    .


  • Telur pindang - Eggs boiled together with herbs and spices, popular during wedding feasts in Johor.


  • Roti Jala or Roti Kirai - The name is derived from the Malay
    Malay language

    The Malay language is an Austronesian languages spoken by the Malays and people of other ethnic groups who reside in Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Singapore, central eastern Sumatra, the Riau Islands and parts of the coast of Borneo....
     word 'roti' (bread) and 'jala' (net). A special ladle with a five-hole perforation used to make the bread looks like a fish net (picture in the works). It is usually eaten spicy with curry
    Curry

    Curry is the English language description of any of a general variety of spiced dishes, best known in Asian cuisines, especially South Asian cuisine....
     or sweet with 'serawa'. Serawa is made from a mixture of boiled coconut milk, brown sugar and pandan leaf.


  • Nasi Beriani Gam - A biryani
    Biryani

    Biryani, biriani, or beriani is a set of primarily South Asian rice-based foods made with spices, rice and meat/vegetables....
     rice dish originating from India
    Indian cuisine

    The cuisine of India is characterized by its sophisticated and subtle use of many spices and vegetables grown across India and also for the widespread practice of vegetarianism across its society....
     with a cooking method very similar to Hyderabad biryani
    Hyderabad Biryani

    Hyderabadi Biryani is perhaps the most well-known culinary delights from the famous Hyderabad Cuisine.It is a traditional dish made using Basmati rice, goat meat and various other exotic spices....
     but with spices adjusted to suit the Malay palate.


  • Ikan masak asam pedas - A sour stew
    Stew

    A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy.Ingredients in a stew can include any combination of vegetables , meat, poultry, sausages and seafood....
     of fish
    Fish

    A fish is any marine biology vertebrate animal that is typically ectothermic , covered with scale , and equipped with two sets of paired fins and several unpaired fins....
     (usually mackerel
    Mackerel

    Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of fish, mostly, but not exclusively, from the family Scombridae. They occur in all tropical and temperate seas....
    ), tamarind
    Tamarind

    The Tamarind is a tree in the rank Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic . It is a tropical tree, native to tropical Africa, including Sudan and parts of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests....
    , chili
    Chili pepper

    Chili pepper is the fruit of the plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the Solanaceae, Solanaceae. Botany considers the plant a berry bush....
    , tomatoes, okra
    Okra

    Okra , also known as ladyfinger and gumbo, is a flowering plant in the Malvaceae , valued for its edible green fruits. Okra's binomial nomenclature is Abelmoschus esculentus; it is occasionally referred to by the synonym, Hibiscus esculentus L....
     and Vietnamese coriander
    Vietnamese coriander

    Vietnamese coriander is a herb of which the leaves are frequently used in Southeast Asian cooking. Other English language names for the herb include Vietnamese mint, Vietnamese cilantro, Cambodian mint and hot mint....
     


  • Kacang Pol
  • Kuih Sirat
  • Pisang Salai or Gimpi
  • Otak-otak - Steamed/Grilled fish cake usually served wrapped in sticks of coconut leaves. Two of the most popular varieties are Otak-otak Muar (spicy) and Otak-otak Gelang Patah (sweet).
  • Mee Soto
  • Burasak - It is a type of Buginese food.
  • Halwa Maskat
  • Kerutup ikan
  • Pecal
  • Tauhu bakar
  • Pendaram
  • Mee Siput
  • Rojak Petis
  • ABC


Javanese-influenced cuisine

There are a few Johorean dishes with Javanese
Javanese cuisine

Javanese cuisine refers to the food of the people of Java Island, Indonesia.The island of Java is multiethnic. Not all Javanese islanders belong to the Javanese ethnic group....
 influences. These include lontong
Lontong

Lontong is an Asian dish made of compressed rice that is then cut into small cakes.Popular in Indonesia and Malaysia, the dish is usually served cold or at room temperature with sauce-based dishes such as gado-gado and salads, although it can be eaten as an accompaniment to other dishes such as Satay and curries....
, nasi ambeng and bontrot or berkat - both traditionally served after feasts like wedding ceremonies, Yasinan and others; and ungkep.

External links