CITIES & TOWNS

'Segamat' derives its name from two Malay words - Segar + Amat, which mean 'very refreshing'. The origin is related to the founding of the Johor Sultanate in the 16th Century. One account claimed that Segamat district was named by chance by Sultan Ahmad, the prince of the first Sultan of Johor.

In 1511, Sultan Ahmad and his followers rested near a river. Exhausted and thirsty, the ruler ordered his people to scoop some water from the crystal clear water. After drinking, the Sultan was relieved and refreshed. Apparently, the river water did such a healing job that all his body pains from the long journey disappeared. Satisfied, the Sultan exclaimed "Segar amat". His Bendahara, (Prime Minister), Tun Tepok, also felt the same. This led to the naming of the area as Segamat.

Segamat when it was under a British Residence in late 1800s, is part of Negeri Sembilan. It was only in 1901 that it became part of the Johor state.

Today, this northern district of Johor is an agriculture district that has vast expanses of rubber, oil palm and fruit orchards, especially the durian. Segamat durian is of high quality and is planted in more than 11,000 hactares. of land, in particular in the region of Buloh Kasap and Gemerah. Other tropical fruits which are planted in abundance in Segamat are limau barli, mata kucing, dokong, duku, langsat and rambutan.

A visit to Segamat during the tropical fruit seasons (mid year and year end) is highly recommended, especially to those who yearn for a taste of its King of Fruits, durian. The district has created a special place for traders and fruit lovers to meet at Dataran Durian (Durian Square) at Jalan Buloh Kasap in Segamat town.

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