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Pontian is a district
in southwest Johor. It is located 62km 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.
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 Controversy Malaysia-Indonesia
during 1960s.
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 20km 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.
Sources:
Wikipedia
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