Indonesian community life in Johor Bahru (2026): consulate, food, schools, ferries and flights

中文 · Bahasa Melayu · Bahasa Indonesia

By Jason Lim, REN 84424 · IQI Realty · Checked on 4 November 2026

This guide is for Indonesian families, retirees, students and buyers thinking of living in or buying in Johor Bahru. The short answer: JB is one of the easiest foreign cities for Indonesians to settle in. The Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI Johor Bahru) is in the city centre, there is an Indonesian school on its grounds, halal food and mosques are everywhere, and Batam, Bintan, Jakarta and Surabaya are a ferry ride or a short flight away. About 1.5 million Indonesians visited Johor in 2025, according to the Indonesian Consul-General.

How big is the Indonesian community in Johor?

There is no public census count of Indonesian nationals in Johor, but the consulate’s own records give a sense of scale. In August 2025 the KJRI’s information consul said 132,335 Indonesian citizens were recorded across its four-state area, including about 102,834 in Johor, 13,009 in Melaka, 10,029 in Pahang and 6,463 in Negeri Sembilan (Ulasan.co, August 2025). The figures come from voter lists, passport and travel-document records and school data, so they show registered people, not everyone.

Visitors add many more. The Indonesian Consul-General, Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto, said in November 2026 that about 1.5 million Indonesians visited Johor in 2025, and that Indonesians made up 79% of the state’s 127,000 international patients that year (The Star, 1 November 2026). Many families first get to know JB through hospital visits, shopping trips or school holidays.

The link is also old. Johor and Selangor have Malaysia’s largest Javanese-descended Malay communities, many of whose families came from Java in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Districts such as Batu Pahat, Muar and Pontian still keep kuda kepang, gamelan and wayang kulit alive (JATI Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, June 2022). Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia are close enough that most newcomers can get by from day one, though some everyday words differ.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru (KJRI)

The KJRI serves Indonesian citizens in Johor, Melaka, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan. These are the details on its official Kemlu pages, checked on 4 November 2026:

Item	Details
Address	Konsulat Jenderal Republik Indonesia, No. 46, Jalan Taat, off Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Telephone	+60 7-227 4188 / 221 3241 / 221 3243 / 221 3245
Hotlines	Immigration: +60 17-771 6866. Citizen protection: +60 16-770 0378. KSATRIA WhatsApp virtual assistant: +60 10-528 8040
Email	johorbahru.kjri@kemlu.go.id
Service hours	Monday to Thursday 9am to 3pm (break 1pm to 2pm). Friday 9am to 3.30pm (break 12.30pm to 2.30pm)
Online booking	Appointments through daftaronline.indonesiainjb.my

What the consulate can help with

• Passports. New passports, renewals, children’s passports and lost passports, plus the SPLP emergency travel document.
• Lapor diri. Online self-registration for Indonesians living in the area. The KJRI says citizens who move abroad must register within 30 days and report changes of address, residence status, births, marriages and deaths.
• Births in Malaysia. A child born in Malaysia gets a Malaysian birth certificate from JPN first. The KJRI then issues a birth registration letter (SBPK) on presenting that certificate, endorsed by Malaysia’s foreign ministry, with both parents’ marriage book and passports.
• Documents. Legalisation of Indonesian documents for use in Malaysia (after legalisation by the Indonesian law and foreign ministries), certified true copies, domicile and other letters, and marriage, divorce and transfer letters.
• Education. School transfer letters, certificate legalisation and the Paket A, B and C equivalency exams.
• Help in an emergency. The KSATRIA hotline runs 24 hours a day for emergencies involving Indonesians (The Sun). The KJRI also runs outreach visits to remote towns; one in September 2025 offered passport, SPLP and birth-record services on Pulau Tioman (InfoPublik, September 2025).

For buying or renting a home, the consulate is useful mainly for documents: a legalised marriage certificate or a letter confirming your details can help when a bank, lawyer or management office asks.

Indonesian food and groceries in JB

Indonesian food is easy to find. Ayam penyet, nasi padang, bakso and soto are sold in many Malay restaurants, mall food courts and stand-alone Indonesian restaurants across the city. Johor’s own food also has Javanese roots: nasi ambeng, rice shared from a large banana-leaf-lined tray with side dishes, is a well-known dish of Malaysia’s Javanese community, especially in Selangor and Johor (National Department for Culture and Arts, JKKN).

• Groceries. Big supermarkets carry many Indonesian brands, such as instant noodles, kecap manis, sambal and snacks. Fresh items such as tempe, galangal and lemongrass are normal in Malaysian wet markets.
• Prices. For a full monthly budget in ringgit and rupiah, see my cost of living guide for Johor Bahru.
• Halal. Look for a current Malaysian halal certificate, which you can check on the Verify Halal Status tool at halal.gov.my. A “pork-free” sign is not halal certification.

Mosques, halal food and prayer

Islam is Malaysia’s official religion and Johor has a mosque or surau in almost every neighbourhood, from the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque near the city centre to large township mosques in Iskandar Puteri and Bandar Dato’ Onn. Since 1 January 2025 Johor’s weekend has been Saturday and Sunday (The Star, October 2024). I cover mosques by area, halal certification, religious schools and Ramadan in my separate guide to Muslim-friendly living in Johor Bahru, so I won’t repeat it here.

Schools: the Indonesian school and other options

Yes, there is an Indonesian school in Johor Bahru. The KJRI lists Sekolah Indonesia Johor Bahru (SIJB) at 46 Jalan Taat, the consulate’s own address, alongside the Indonesian schools in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.

Option	Curriculum and level	Notes
Sekolah Indonesia Johor Bahru (SIJB)	Indonesian national curriculum (Kurikulum Merdeka), SD and SMP	Started as an open school in January 2014, renamed SIJB in January 2015. Runs under a Community Learning Centre arrangement and serves many children of Indonesian workers. Pupils can move on to SMA at partner schools in Indonesia.
Paket A, B and C exams	Indonesian equivalency exams	Arranged through the KJRI for Indonesians in Malaysia.
Universitas Terbuka, Johor Bahru study group	Indonesian open university	The KJRI FAQ explains how to register with the UT Pokjar Johor Bahru.
International schools	British, Australian, IB and other curricula	The usual choice for expatriate families; see my schools and family life guide.

Students at Malaysian universities should do lapor diri with the KJRI too; it can also issue letters for scholarships and visa matters. If you are looking for student housing, see my guide to student housing near JB universities.

Community groups and events

I could not find an up-to-date public directory of Indonesian associations in JB, so the consulate is the best starting point. It posts news and events on its Kemlu pages and on social media under the name “Indonesia in JB”. Regional groups also exist. The JATI study notes that migrants from Ponorogo, through the association Pawargo, have staged reog and kuda kepang performances across Johor (June 2022). Student associations (PPI) are usually organised by university, so ask the international office at your campus.

Getting there from Indonesia

Eight of the passenger ferry links between Indonesia and Malaysia are in Johor, the Consul-General said in November 2026. Johor runs on Malaysian time, one hour ahead of WIB.

Route	JB terminal	Notes
Batam Centre, Harbour Bay or Gold Coast Bengkong (Batam)	Stulang Laut (Berjaya Waterfront ferry terminal), east of the city centre	The terminal lists many daily sailings to Batam Centre and several to Harbour Bay and Bengkong. About 1.5 hours to Batam Centre (Easybook).
Tanjung Pinang (Bintan)	Stulang Laut	The terminal lists two daily sailings each way. About 3 hours (Easybook).
Gold Coast Bengkong (Batam)	Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal, Iskandar Puteri	B Ferry started this route on 1 November 2026 with three sailings a day each way. Tribun Travel reported fares from Batam of Rp350,000 one way and Rp780,000 return, including taxes (about RM78 and RM175).
Flights from Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta)	Senai International Airport	Direct with Indonesia AirAsia, about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Flights from Surabaya (Juanda)	Senai International Airport	Direct with Indonesia AirAsia, about 2 hours 20 minutes.

AirAsia’s Senai page listed only Jakarta and Surabaya as Indonesian destinations when I checked. From Medan, Bali and other cities, most people connect through Kuala Lumpur or take a ferry via Batam. The Consul-General said direct flights to Bandung, Yogyakarta and Lombok ran before Covid-19, and that talks on bringing back a Bandung route were under way (November 2026). From Senai, the AA1 airport bus to JB Sentral costs RM8 (about Rp35,800) and takes 45 to 50 minutes (Land Transport Guru, July 2026). For buses and Grab in the city, see my guide to getting around JB without a car.

Entry rules

Malaysia’s Immigration Department says ASEAN nationals, including Indonesians, need no visa for a stay of under one month. Most foreign visitors must also fill in the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival; holders of the Indonesian cross-border pass (PLB) are exempt. Longer stays need the right pass, such as a work, student or MM2H pass. For MM2H, I coordinate with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent; approval is decided by the authorities. Start with the MM2H eligibility checker.

Money and phone basics

• Exchange rate. At the 6pm close on 4 November 2026 the ringgit was at RM223.5 to RM223.8 per Rp1 million (Malay Mail, from Bernama), about RM1 = Rp4,470. Your bank or money changer will quote its own rate.
• Paying by QR. Since May 2023, customers of participating Indonesian banks and e-wallets, including BCA, Bank Syariah Indonesia, DANA, LinkAja and ShopeePay Indonesia, can scan Malaysian DuitNow QR codes at participating merchants (Bank Indonesia, May 2023). Check with your provider before you rely on it.
• Prepaid SIM cards. Under the MCMC standard registered on 26 February 2026, foreigners can register up to two prepaid SIMs per telco. Bring your original passport, as registration uses facial verification. Tourist SIMs end after up to three months (Lowyat.NET, February 2026).
• Home internet. Maxis and CelcomDigi ask foreigners for a passport and a refundable RM300 deposit (about Rp1.34 juta) for fibre. See my guide to utilities and internet in JB.
• Sending money for a home. See paying for Johor property from abroad.

Where do Indonesians live in JB?

Spread out, rather than in one district. When the KJRI built its citizen database in April 2025, it found Indonesian citizens in 399 of the 538 mukim (74.2%) in its area. I have not found a reliable source naming particular JB neighbourhoods, so I won’t guess. In practice, families choose for the same reasons as anyone else: work, school, a mosque nearby, and the trip home. Puteri Harbour suits the new Bengkong ferry, the city centre and the east side suit Stulang Laut and the consulate, and Kulai and Senai suit the airport.

Buying a home in Johor as an Indonesian

Indonesians buy under the normal foreigner rules. In Johor the minimum price is generally RM1 million (about Rp4.47 miliar) for most residential property, with exceptions such as designated zones (New Straits Times, April 2026). Since 1 January 2026, residential transfers to foreign buyers carry 8% stamp duty, and Johor state consent and a levy apply. Many families rent first; see renting in JB as a foreigner. For the purchase itself, my Indonesia pages cover each step:

• Buying property in Johor from Indonesia: rules, steps and viewing trips.
• Malaysian home loans for Indonesians.
• Property tax for Indonesian owners.
• Wills for Indonesian owners of Malaysian property.

Where to buy if this matters to you

• Iskandar Puteri: Puteri Harbour ferry terminal, the Kota Iskandar Mosque and EduCity schools.
• JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar: city-centre living near the consulate, the state mosque and the RTS Link station.
• Danga Bay: waterfront condos a short drive from the city centre.
• Permas Jaya and Senibong: east-side homes within reach of Stulang Laut.
• Mount Austin: popular with families, with schools, cafes and malls.
• Kulai and Senai: near Senai airport for flights to Jakarta and Surabaya.

Compare them on my JB property map, or see new launches in JB.

More Johor living guides: Muslim-friendly living in JB · Cost of living in JB · Getting around JB without a car · Hospitals and healthcare in JB

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Indonesian Consulate in Johor Bahru?

KJRI Johor Bahru is at No. 46, Jalan Taat, off Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 80100 Johor Bahru. Its main line is +60 7-227 4188. Service hours are 9am to 3pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 3.30pm on Friday, with a lunch break, according to its Kemlu page in November 2026.

Do Indonesians living in Johor need to register with the consulate?

Yes. The KJRI says Indonesian citizens who move abroad must report to the nearest Indonesian mission within 30 days of arriving, through its online lapor diri service, and report changes of address, residence status, births, marriages and deaths.

Is there an Indonesian school in Johor Bahru?

Yes. Sekolah Indonesia Johor Bahru, at the consulate’s address on Jalan Taat, teaches the Indonesian national curriculum at SD and SMP level. It began in 2014 and serves many children of Indonesian workers. Expatriate families often choose international schools instead.

How do I get from Batam to Johor Bahru by ferry?

Ferries sail from Batam Centre, Harbour Bay and Gold Coast Bengkong to Stulang Laut near the city centre, about 1.5 hours from Batam Centre. Since 1 November 2026, B Ferry also runs three daily sailings each way between Bengkong and Puteri Harbour in Iskandar Puteri.

Are there direct flights from Indonesia to Johor Bahru?

Yes. Indonesia AirAsia flies direct from Jakarta (about 1 hour 45 minutes) and Surabaya (about 2 hours 20 minutes) to Senai International Airport, according to AirAsia’s route pages in November 2026. From other cities, most travellers connect through Kuala Lumpur or travel via Batam.

Can I use my Indonesian e-wallet or bank app in Johor Bahru?

Often, yes. Since May 2023, customers of participating Indonesian banks and e-wallets such as BCA, DANA, LinkAja and ShopeePay Indonesia can scan Malaysian DuitNow QR codes at participating merchants. Check with your provider first. RM1 was about Rp4,470 on 4 November 2026.

Can Indonesians buy property in Johor Bahru?

Yes, under the normal foreigner rules: generally a minimum of RM1 million (about Rp4.47 miliar) for most Johor homes, 8% stamp duty on residential transfers since 1 January 2026, and Johor state consent and levy. My buying-from-Indonesia guide covers the steps.

Planning a move from Indonesia to JB?

Tell me where you are coming from, who is moving, your budget and whether you want to rent or buy. I will shortlist areas and homes that fit your ferry or flight route, your children’s school and a mosque nearby, and explain the foreigner rules before you commit. You can also book an appointment for viewings, or a Zoom consultation from Indonesia.

Sources: KJRI Johor Bahru, official home page (Kemlu), checked 4 November 2026; KJRI Johor Bahru, Kontak & Lokasi (address, hours, hotlines), checked 4 November 2026; KJRI Johor Bahru, FAQ (consular services, birth registration, Sekolah Indonesia), checked 4 November 2026; KJRI Johor Bahru, Lapor Diri Online, checked 4 November 2026; KJRI Johor Bahru, Data Terpadu WNI (database completed 1 April 2025), checked November 2026; Ulasan.co, “Per 2025, 132.335 WNI Menetap di Empat Wilayah Malaysia”, 20 August 2025; The Sun, on the 24-hour KSATRIA hotline, accessed November 2026; InfoPublik, KJRI Johor Bahru outreach services, 29 September 2025; JOM FISIP Universitas Riau, study of Sekolah Indonesia Johor Bahru, Vol. 12 (January–June 2025); The Star, “Johor now popular destination for Indonesian tourists, 1.5 million visits in 2025”, 1 November 2026; Tribun Travel, new Batam–Puteri Harbour ferry route, 2 November 2026; Berjaya Waterfront ferry terminal, schedule, checked November 2026 (undated); Easybook, Stulang Laut ferry terminal, checked November 2026; AirAsia, flights to Senai International Airport, checked November 2026; AirAsia, Johor Bahru to Jakarta, checked November 2026; AirAsia, Johor Bahru to Surabaya, checked November 2026; Land Transport Guru, Senai Airport Shuttle AA1, updated 17 July 2026; Immigration Department of Malaysia, visa requirement by country, checked November 2026; Wikipedia, Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (citing the Immigration Department), accessed November 2026; Malay Mail (Bernama), ringgit closing rates, 4 November 2026; Bank Indonesia, launch of the Indonesia–Malaysia QR payment link, 8 May 2023; The Star, MCMC prepaid SIM registration standard, 26 February 2026; Lowyat.NET, MCMC enforces prepaid SIM registration rules, 27 February 2026; Maxis, Fibre new sign-up FAQ, checked November 2026; CelcomDigi, Fibre plans, installation and billing FAQ, checked November 2026; JKKN, Nasi Ambeng, accessed November 2026; Sunarti et al., “The Perception and Preservation of Javanese Culture in Malaysia”, JATI, June 2022; Halal Malaysia Portal (MYeHALAL), Verify Halal Status, accessed November 2026; The Star, “Johor’s weekend to be Saturday-Sunday from Jan 1, 2025”, 7 October 2024; New Straits Times, “Foreigners hit Johor property resale wall”, 20 April 2026

Jason Lim, REN 84424, IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. E (1) 1584/6. General information checked on 4 November 2026, not legal, immigration or financial advice. Consulate hours, ferry and flight schedules, entry rules and exchange rates change; confirm with the KJRI, the operator, the Immigration Department and your lawyer before you travel or commit.