Mersing, Johor, Malaysia

🇲🇾 Mersing is a town, mukim and the capital of Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia.

Mersing town is particularly significant for a number of reasons: it is one of only two major towns situated in the eastern half of Johor state, it lies on the main trunk road that connects southern as well as eastern Johor with the east coast of Pahang state including Pahang's capital Kuantan, part of Federal Route, and it is the main departure point for ferries to the nearby offshore islands such as Tioman Island.

Geography With an area of 2,838 km2, Mersing District is the third largest district in Johor, which covers 14.6% area of the state. Beside the mainland area, the district also consists of 36 islands.

Administrative divisions Mersing District is divided into 10 mukims, which are: • Jemaluang • Lenggor • Mersing Town • Padang Endau • Penyabong • Offshore islands (Aur Island, Dayang Island, Rawa Island, Tengah Island, Pemanggil Island, Sibu Island) • Sembrong • Tenggaroh • Tenglu • Triang.

Economy The main economy activities in the district are ecotourism, fishery, marine activities, agriculture and light manufacturing.

Tourist attractions • Aur Island • Besar Island • Harimau Island • Mount Arong Recreational Forest • Pemanggil Island • Rawa Island • Sibu Island • Endau-Rompin National Park

Government Mersing District Council (Majlis Daerah Mersing) is the local authority of the whole Mersing District including Mersing town. It was formed on 26 May 1977 through the merger of the Mersing Town Council (Majlis Bandaran Mersing) and the local councils (Majlis Tempatan) of Jemaluang, Kampung Hubong, Kampung Pengkalan Batu, Kampung Sri Pantai and Mersing Kecil.

Culture The Malays of Mersing are unique compared to the rest of Johor is that many of them are of Terengganu ancestry, this are proven by the Keropok Lekor industries which is popular in the town and many still speak Terengganu Malay along with the Johor dialect of Malay.

The Chinese community in Mersing mainly belongs to the Cantonese dialect group and speak Cantonese, however, many locals, especially business owners have no issue conversing in Mandarin.

Transport: Air Mersing Airport (IATA: MEP, ICAO: WMAU) is an airport in Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia.

Transport: Road Being located along Federal Route 3, Mersing is relatively accessible for a town its size. Northward this highway goes to Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu before terminating at Rantau Panjang at the border with Thailand. Southwards highway 3 goes to Jemaluang and Kota Tinggi and terminates at Johor Bahru, the state capital. Jalan Felda Nitar connects Felda Nitar, Kluang, Ayer Hitam and Batu Pahat, also connects to North–South Expressway Southern Route via Ayer Hitam Interchange to Kuala Lumpur.

Water Mersing port in the mouth of Mersing River is also the main port for ferries to Tioman Island and the more than 40 other islands in the Seribuat Archipelago.