Mersing
Town and district capital in Johor, Malaysia
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ToursExplore Lably’s 3D toursMersing 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: Taman Laut Sultan Iskandar) and also Tioman Island, Pahang.
Government and politics
Mersing District Council (Malay: 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 (Malay: Majlis Bandaran Mersing) and the local councils (Malay: Majlis Tempatan) of Jemaluang, Endau, Kampung Hubong, Kampung Pengkalan Batu, Kampung Sri Pantai and Mersing Kecil.
Departments
- Management Services (Khidmat Pengurusan)
- Finance (Kewangan)
- Public Health and Municipal Services (Kesihatan Awam dan Perkhidmatan Perbandaran)
- Valuation and Property Management (Penilaian dan Pengurusan Harta)
- Developmental Planning and Landscape (Perancang Pembangunan dan Landskap)
- Engineering (Kejuruteraan)
- Licensing and Enforcement (Pelesenan dan Penguatkuasaan)
Units
- Internal Audit (Audit Dalam)
- Law (Undang-undang)
- One Stop Centre (Pusat Sehenti)
- Public Relations (Perhubungan Awam)
Administrative areas (zones)
As of 2025, Mersing town is divided into 24 zones represented by 24 councillors to act as mediators between residents and the district council. The councillors for the 1 April 2024 to 31 December 2025 session are as below:
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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 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 (Malay: Terminal Bas dan Teksi Bandar Mersing) 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, 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.