Mersing (Terengganu Malay: Merecing or Ngesing) is a town, mukim and the capital of Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia. The town is located at the southern end of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 70,894.
Mersing town is particularly significant for a number of reasons: it is one of only two major towns in the eastern half of Johor state (the other being Kota Tinggi); 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 Rawa Island of Sultan Iskandar Marine Park (Malay language: Taman Laut Sultan Iskandar) and also Tioman Island, Pahang.
Government and politics
Mersing District Council () 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 () and the local councils () of Jemaluang, Kampung Hubong, Kampung Pengkalan Batu, Kampung Sri Pantai and Mersing Kecil.
Climate
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 people dialect group and speak Cantonese, however, many locals, especially business owners have no issue conversing in Mandarin.
Transportation
Car
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.
Bus
Mersing Bus and Taxi Terminal () on Jalan Tepian Sungai is served by various companies including Transnasional and
Causeway Link. Long-distance services are offered to most major cities in peninsular Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur,
Ipoh and
Malacca City, as well as local buses to towns and cities around Johor state.
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.
External links
