Ever wondered what separates Malaysia and Singapore? It is the Straits of Johor. This waterway is more than just a border. It’s a place of history and connection.
The Straits of Johor is also known as the Tebrau Strait. You might also hear people call it Selat Johor or Selat Tebrau. It sits between the Malaysian state of Johor and Singapore. This strait links the Strait of Malacca to the west and the Singapore Strait to the southeast.
Interestingly, the Johor Strait got its name relatively recently. The term “Johor Strait” only came into use in the 1890s. Before that, people sometimes mistakenly called it the “Old Strait of Singapore”. In Malay, “tebrau” means big fish. “Selat” means strait.
Two bridges cross the Straits of Johor. The Johor-Singapore Causeway is one. It links Johor Bahru and Woodlands in Singapore. The Malaysia-Singapore Second Link bridge is another. It connects Iskandar Puteri in Malaysia and Tuas in Singapore.
Back in 1919, construction began on the Causeway. It cost about $17 million. Before this, you needed a ferry to cross over to Malaya. The causeway opened to traffic in October 1923. It was officially opened in June 1924.
The Johor Strait has been a site of strategic importance. During the colonial period, the British built their naval base in Sembawang. On December 2, 1941, famous warships like the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse made stopovers here.
The strait has also been a point of international discussion. In 1927, an agreement defined an imaginary line in the Johor Strait. It served as the international boundary between Johor and Singapore. In 1994, a new boundary line was drawn. This helped resolve potential border disputes. Because the strait is a shipping lane, there are no marker buoys.
Several rivers flow into the Straits of Johor. These include the Johor River, Pelentong River and Pulai River. Also Segget River, Tebrau River and Sungai Sengkuang. In the Malay language, Sungai means river.
Several islands dot the Straits of Johor. These include Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. Coney Island and Pulau Buloh are also there.
Today, the Straits of Johor remains a vital waterway. It connects two nations and serves as a reminder of shared history. It is also a place where future connections are being planned. High-speed rail and rapid transit systems are proposed. They will further link Singapore and Johor Bahru.