Johor Bahru
Capital of Johor, economic centre of the state.
via Wikipedia: Johor · see source
Johor Bahru is the capital city and the economic centre of the state of Johor. As of 2025, the state's population is 4.2 million, making it the second most populous state in Malaysia, after Selangor. Johor Bahru is the capital city and the economic centre of the state, and Muar serves as the royal capital. Johor is one of Malaysia's most important economic hubs, having the highest gross domestic product in Malaysia outside of the Klang Valley, making it the country's second largest state economy. Its household income and total salaries are also the second highest among all Malaysian states. Located in southern Johor, Iskandar Malaysia is Malaysia's largest special economic zone by investment value.
- country
- Malaysia
- state
- Johor
- major_economic_zone
- Iskandar Malaysia
- key_infrastructure
- Port of Tanjung Pelepas
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Johor's history began with the Johor Sultanate, which emerged as a rump state of the Malacca Sultanate. It operated as a sovereign state until the arrival of European powers, when the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 divided the wider polity between the British and the Dutch and fixed Johor's modern boundaries. Johor remained largely self-governing until 1885, when British oversight increased through the appointment of a General Adviser who directed all affairs over the Sultan apart from matters of local religion and customs. Johor became a British protected state within the Unfederated Malay States in 1914, a position interrupted only by the Japanese occupation of Malaya. After the war, it joined the Malayan Union in 1946 and subsequently the Federation of Malaya in 1948, the latter of which gained its independence from the British in 1957, before entering modern-day Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement of 1963.
Reader's Guide
Johor Bahru is the capital city and the economic centre of the state. Johor is one of Malaysia's most important economic hubs, having the highest gross domestic product in Malaysia outside of the Klang Valley, making it the country's second largest state economy. Its household income and total salaries are also the second highest among all Malaysian states. Johor has the world's second largest artificial intelligence hub, robust manufacturing and logistics centres, and home to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, the 15th busiest port in the world. Located in southern Johor, Iskandar Malaysia is Malaysia's largest special economic zone by investment value. Johor Bahru District is the second largest district in Malaysia by population and economy.
Did You Know?
- Johor has the world's second largest artificial intelligence hub.
- The Port of Tanjung Pelepas is the 15th busiest port in the world.
- Iskandar Malaysia is Malaysia's largest special economic zone by investment value.
- Johor Bahru District is the second largest district in Malaysia by population and economy.
- Johor's household income and total salaries are the second highest among all Malaysian states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Johor Bahru?
Johor Bahru is the administrative capital and primary economic engine of Malaysia's Johor state, sitting in the southern part of the country. It anchors the Iskandar Malaysia development zone and serves as the seat of government for a state of roughly 4.2 million residents.
What are Johor Bahru's powers/role?
The city drives the second-largest state economy in Malaysia, generating more GDP than any other state outside the Klang Valley corridor. Its financial strength is underpinned by the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and the broader Iskandar Malaysia industrial zone.
How does Johor Bahru's story end?
As a living, growing city rather than a finished narrative, Johor Bahru's arc is still unfolding, with ongoing infrastructure and economic expansion keeping it a central player in Malaysia's southern development plans.
Why is Johor Bahru important?
Beyond its capital status, the city ranks second nationwide in household income and total salary figures, making it a key destination for skilled workers and businesses. It also shares the state's identity with Muar, which holds the separate title of royal capital.
Where does Johor Bahru sit in the J-lineup?
In the 1-to-18 roster of J-cities, Johor Bahru holds the number-one slot as the flagship entry, representing the most economically significant J-starting city in the Malaysian context.
More in Cities Starting With J 1-18
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