Pontian - Where The Southernmost Tip of Continental Asia Is

Pontian was transformed from the word Perhentian meaning a place to stop. Those days this area had been a stopping place by merchant ships and also pirates plying the Straits of Malacca. It is a small district on the southwestern part of Johor is 60 km (37 miles) from Johor Bahru city and the journey between both location takes about 1 hour through Lebuhraya Skudai- Pontian. It is also reachable from Batu Pahat using route 5 of Federal road.

Pontian has two towns that used the same name Pontian Besar and Pontian Kechil and the latter serves as tha administration centre for the district.

The capital was formerly a fishing village which has developed into a small town and has a few attractions worth to visit. Development in the district started as early as 1878 by an Arab Merchant Tuan Syed Mohamad Syed Alsagoff.

Being situated by the seaside, Pontian is noted for its variety of seafood which is sold at a reasonable price. Visitors from neighbouring towns and Singapore regularly visit Kukup, a fishing village about 20 km from Pontian Kechil. Notable national parks in Pontian include Tanjung Piai, the southernmost tip of continental Asia.

Pontian Kechil is situated 1.5 hours (via bus) from Johor Bahru (Capital of Johor State) via Lebuhraya Skudai-Pontian.

Especially along coastal areas, Pontian is populated by Malays of Bugis and Javanese descent. The Chinese community in Pontian predominantly belongs to the Fujian (Hokkien) dialect group.

This town is also site as the observatory to look for the crescent moon to mark the beginning of Muslim month of Ramadhan, Shawwal, and Zulhijjah, to celebrate fasting month of Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.

Tourist who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life can visit the attractions that Pontian has to offer. There are reasonable number of hotels, chalets and homestays for visitors to spend their holidays.

Hotels in Pontian

Hotel Pontian (+607 6861000) www.hotelpontian.com
Hotel Garden (+607 686 1001)
Hotel Travel  (+607 686 9800)
Hotel Pontian Seaview (+6019 7764822)
Hotel Sunflower (+607 6871111) www.sunflowerexpress.com
Hotel Princess (+607 6871811)

Chalets/ Resort

Kukup Golf resort (+607 6960950)
Tanjung Piai Resort (+607 6969000)
Wednesday Ditch Farm Resort (+607 2419455)

Homestays

Kg Permatang Sepam (+607 4258081)
Kg Puteri Menangis (+6012 7575217)
Kg Tanjung Piai (+607 6960220) nadzri_nafaz@yahoo.com

What To Do?

There are many activities for visitors and for those who want some adventure can opt for a visit to a Kelong away from the shore. Else there other attractions such as the Traditional Bugis House, Ramsar visit at Tanjung Piai, golfing at Kukup, Muzium Nanas, Bugis Museum, Nictar Eco Farm and Stesen Nanas Alor Bukit etc.

Transportation

Pontian i reachable by private cars, Express Coach or Taxis or car rentals. Visitors going to Kukup National Park can take a ferry at the Kukup Ferry Jetty.

For further information about visiting Pontian, you can contact:

Jabatan Pelancungan Negeri Johor,
Suite 4-5, Bangunan Jotic,
Jalan Air Molek,
80000 Johor Bahru

Pontian District Office
+607 6871322

Tourism Malaysia (Johor)
+607 2223590/1