Pontian District

Shops in Pusat Perdagangan Pontian at the Pontian seaside

Pontian 笨珍
—  District of Malaysia  —
Country	Malaysia
State	Johor Darul Takzim
Seat	Pontian Kechil
Government
• District officer
Area
• Total	907 km2 (350.2 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	54,922
• Density	60.6/km2 (156.8/sq mi)

Pontian Kechil is a town and district headquarters of Pontian, Johor.

Pontian is a district in southwest Johor. It is located 62 km from Johor Bahru, the state capital of Johor, Malaysia. It is also located at Miles 37 (Batu 37) from Johor Bahru. The name Pontian is also used in the names of two towns in the district, Pontian Besar and Pontian Kechil, of which the latter serves as its district capital. The capital was formerly a fishing village which has developed into a small town.

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.

Pontian Kechil is situated 1.5 hours (via bus) from Johor Bahru (Capital of Johor State) via Jalan Johor. Other notable towns in Pontian include Ayer Baloi and Benut, north of Pontian Kechil. To the south and east of Pontian Kechil respectively are the towns of Teluk Kerang and Pekan Nanas.

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.

Pontian Kechil is subdivided into few area namely:

1. Jalan Kukup - South of Main Traffic Junction heading to Kukup.
2. Jalan Bakek - North of Main Traffic Junction until Sg Pontian Kechil Bridge.
3. Jalan Alsagoff - North of Sg Pontian Kechil Bridge until Sg Pontian Besar Bridge.
4. Jalan Johor/Batu 36 - East of Main Traffic Junction heading to Johor Bahru.
5. Jalan Parit Mesjid - East of Old Police Station Junction. Another Highly Populated Area.

History

The name of Pontian transformed from a Malay word "Perhentian" which means a stop. Previously Pontian was a stop for both merchants and pirates. Pontian was also the landing point for Indonesian navy during Kontroversi Malaysia-Indonesia during 1960s.

Place of interest

Seaside - There are few seaside which you can get nice sunset photograph, fun and relax

1. Old Pontian seaside near Padang. A must-see photography spot for couples from 1950s-2000s. Includes a rest-house, a helipad and a children's playground.
2. Perdagangan Pontian Seaside. A land reclaimation area which creates Pontian Business Centre, New Bus Station and longer sealine for Pontian. Here you can have tea and mamak food by the sea.
3. Rambah Seaside; A renovated seaside located at Rambah Village. It is a wonderful seaside for couples to stargaze and enjoy at night.
4. Telok Kerang seaside; Very nice seaside with a sandy beach.
5. Pulau Pisang; An island with a lighthouse famous for its Kuini Fruit.
6. Pasar Awam Pontian (Public Market); Famous for its fresh-from-the-sea products and vegetables. Their Pontian Black Pomfret are a must buy.
7. Pineapple Plantation - Hundreds of acres of pineapples located at Ayer Baloi, Pekan Nanas and Parit Sikom. Has an endless view of pineapples. A nice place for photography. Pontian was once the largest exporter of pineapples in the world.

Entertainment

1. Show box Karaoke - A new karaoke outlet, the first in Pontian. A famous hub for music enthusiast. Address: No. 5, (Lot 1 & 2)

Jalan Taib,82000, Pontian, Johor.

Getting there

1. By Taxi- RM 48 per-taxi for four (4) person from Larkin Bus Interchange
2. By Bus - RM 5.40 for one way ticket per person from Larkin Bus Interchange- BUS 96 and Pontian Liner and Maju Expressway and Mayang Sari

OR RM 8.50 for return ticket per person from Larkin Bus Interchange- Bus 96 only

1. Driving - Follow Route (5) 40 Miles from Johor Bahru.

School

Secondary schools

• Pei Chun High School (Independent Chinese High School)
• SMK Dato Penggawa Barat
• SMK Sri Perhentian
• SMK Dato Ali Haji Ahmad
• SMK Ayer Baloi
• SMK Benut
• SMK Telok Kerang
• SMK Sri Kukup
• SMK Kayu Ara Pasong
• SMK Pekan Nenas
• Sek Men Agama Maahad Pontian
• SMK Tan Sri Osman Mohd Sa'at
• SMK Parit Betak

International schools

• Omega International School

Primary schools

• SK Rimba Terjun
• SK Pekan Nanas
• SJK (C) Gau San
• SJK (C) Chien Hwa, Kampung Jawa
• SJK (C) Chi Chih, Ayer Baloi
• SK Tengku Mahmood Iskandar I & II
• SJK (C) Pei Hwa, Telok Kerang
• SK Bandar Pontian
• SJK (C) Pei Chun 1&2
• SK Sungai Durian
• SK Andek Mori
• SK Serkat
• SJK (C) Tah Tong
• SK Sungai Bunyi
• SJK (C) Yu Ming 1 & 2, Pekan Nanas
• SK Parit Sapran
• SK Kayu Ara Pasong
• SJK (C) Cheow Min
• Sekolah Kebangsaan Parit Sapran

External links

• Official government website
• Kata-kata Aluan
• Pontian Community Portal