Malaysia — Kota Johor Lama Museum, Kampong Johor Lama, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia

Looking for the past in Malaysia — not easy

May 2015

Kota Johor Lama Museum was an odd little find and something that I was not expecting on my drive east of Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

The museum was free to enter and contained the remains of the Old Johor Fort, as well as displays describing local history and culture.

The fort was built in 1540 during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II (1528-1564). The fort, as far as I could tell from the information available at the museum, was built in response to the fall of the Malay Sultanate of Malacca to the Portuguese in 1511. The main function of the fort was to defend the Sungai Johor (Johor River) and to supervise the movement of ships up and down the river.

The fort was eventually captured by the Portuguese in 1587 and destroyed.

Commemorative stone at Kota Johor Lama (Johor Fort).

The stone reads:

“Old Johor Fort

It was built in 1540 during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II (1528-1564). This fort was the best defence fort among the defence fort built along the Sungai Johor.

After the fall of Malay Sultanate of Malacca in 1511, Sungai Johor became the reigning centre and defence fort to counter attack the Portuguese position in Malacca. The natural environment of the fort make it easier to supervise the movement of the ships especially the threat from the Achiness and the Portuguese.

In 1587, the fort fell to the Portuguese. The whole floor was burnt down and all assets including weapons were being taken.”

Today, all that remains of the fort are a few earthworks.

You can see why the fort was built in the location, as it does provide a commanding view of the Johor River.

The museum is housed in a small single-storey building next to the fort.

Just up the river from the Kota Johor Lama Museum is the Kampong Johor Lama.

Kampong Johor Lama was a lovely little village. Very Malaysian and worth a quick look.

The fort was also worth visiting as such things seem pretty rare in Malaysia.