Destinations of Adventure Cycling for Humanity 2011 - Johor

The first Malaysian state that RA peddled to leaving Singapore was Johor, where he made 3 overnight stops in the towns of Pontian Besar, Batu Pahat, and Muar before he crossed the border into the state of Malacca.

Johor is the southern most state of Peninsular Malaysia. Its capital and royal city is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri (Malay for Princess' Cape). Johor is also known by its Arabic Honorific name, Darul Ta'zim (meaning Abode of Dignity).

This state has a border with Pahang state to the North and North East, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan in the North West, and in the South, the Straits of Johor which separates Johor from Singapore.

Location of Johor in Penisular Malaysia

Johor state

The major towns in the state of Johor are Pontian, Batu Pahat, Muar, Kota Tinggi and Kluang.

Pontian is a district in the South West corner of Johor, located 62km North West of the Johor's capital city Johor Bahru. There are 2 major towns in the district which uses the name Pontian as well, they are Pontian Besar and Pontian Kechil, the latter being the destrict capital. RA's stop for the first night was Pontian Besar.

Pontian began as a fishing village and hence is well known for its reasonably priced seafood. The seaside fishing village of Kukup, approximately 20km from Pontian Kechil is regularly visited by residents from neighbouring towns and Singapore for its seafood.

This location is also the site for observing the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan (the Muslim fasting month), the beginning of the Muslim New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitiri, and Hari Raya Aidiladha (which is the Muslim Hajj celebration).

River mouth at Pontian Besar

Batu Pahat, the second nights stop for RA, is a Johor district which lies North of Pontian, on the Western side of Johor state. Its capital town is Bandar Penggaram Batu Pahat, more commonly referred to by Malaysians as just Batu Pahat or BP by Johorians.

Batu Pahat translated from Malay means, "chiselled rock or stone". It is known for its salted fish, hence its old name was Bandar Penggaram, meaning the town of salt-makers in Malay. There are a couple of stories which explains the origins of the name Batu Pahat. The first traces back to a legend in the 15th century, where the invading troops from Siam (now Thailand) retreated to when chased by Malacca troops after their failed attempt to capture the city. The Siamese troops, were chiselling rocks near a coastal village to find water after their retreat from Malacca. The other story is that after the Portugese captured Malacca, they built the "A Formosa" fort using granite chiselled from the quarries near the mouth of Sungai Batu Pahat, hence the name "chiselled stone".

Chiselled Rock Fountain in Batu Pahat

Muar, also known as the Emperor's town in Malay, Bandar Maharani, was RA's stop for the third night of his expedition. It was also the final stop in Johor state before heading into Malacca state. It is the main town of the district with the same name. The district lies in the North Western corner of Johor state, and borders with the states of Malacca and Negeri Sembilan.

Rich in history and mentioned in many historical records and archeological works, Muar is believe to have started before the Sultanate of Malacca. One account claims Muar was part of the Majapahit empire (an old Indonesian empire based in Java) in 1361. Another claims that before Parameswara (Malay-Hindu Prince from Temasik, formely Singapore) founded Malacca, he established a settlement here.

Muar is well known for its Southern Malay and Chinese cuisine. Dishes such as Mee Bandung, Rojak Petis, Lontong, Assam Pedas, Nasi Ambeng, Goreng Tempeh, Otak-otak, Or-Chien (Fried Oyster Omlette) and Hainanese Steam Chicken Rice Ball Rice just to name a few.

Muar clock tower