Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now

Is Johor Bahru safe? 🇲🇾

Malaysia · Safety report last updated 13 October 2026

As of October 2026, Johor Bahru scores 74/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Johor Bahru is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).

Safety Report

IsMyTripSafe.com

Johor Bahru 🇲🇾

Malaysia · Assessed 13 October 2026

/ 100

Yes — generally safe

Safer than ~78% of countries

District map

What drives this score

Crime67/100FairCrime index 48.9 / 100 · city-level

Sentiment64/100FairModerately positive

Advisories100Good

Stability75Good

Health68Fair

01 · Official Guidance

Advisories

Good

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

Level 3

Advises against all travel to parts of the country

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Eastern Sabah coastal islands FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island, due to the threat of kidnapping.”

Updated 2026-10-07T11:05:53Z

Full advisory →

Government of Canada

Level 1

Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)

“Canada's official risk level for Malaysia: exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories).”

Updated 2026-10-09T10:10:36.7991886-04:00

Full advisory →

02 · Evidence Signals

Crime

Fair

Mugging & robbery risk

Moderate risk

City SignalCity Web Research

Pickpocketing & theft risk

Moderate risk

City SignalCity Web Research

Visitor safety sentiment

58 / 100 (Moderately positive)

City SignalCity Web Research

Feeling safe walking alone at night

39 / 100

City SignalNumbeo (city survey)

Feeling safe walking alone in daylight

63 / 100

City SignalNumbeo (city survey)

Urban scale factor

858k residents

City SignalCity Geocoding

Crime index (crowdsourced)

48.9 / 100 · city-level

City SignalNumbeo Crime Index

Homicide rate

0.7 / 100k

Country BaselineWorld Bank Open Data · 2023

Feel safe walking alone after dark

90.5%

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2021

Physical assault (past year)

No data

—

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database

Robbery / mugging

Moderate

Opportunistic mugging can occur in poorly lit or isolated areas, particularly near transport hubs after dark.

Pickpocketing

Moderate

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are reported in busy markets and along the Johor Causeway crossing zone.

▸ 3 more indicators

Detected human-trafficking victims

0.41 / 100k

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Bribery during public-official contact

13.0%

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2020

Crime seen as a major business constraint

0.3%

100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Enterprise Surveys · 2015

03 · Environment

Health & Air

Fair

Air quality

US AQI 181 · Unhealthy

Open-Meteo Air Quality

Hospitals

20 beds / 10k · country avg

WHO Global Health Observatory

Weather

October: highs ~33°C · wet spell

Open-Meteo

Road safety

13.9 / 100k

WHO Global Health Observatory

Natural hazards

3 active alerts · Wildfire (green)

Country BaselineGDACS / USGS

Wildfire

forest fire notification in Indonesia · ~316 km away

Wildfire

forest fire notification in Indonesia · ~356 km away

Flood

flood alert in Indonesia · ~417 km away

CDC travel health notices · none for this destination

Worldwide notices (not specific to this trip): Polio, Dengue, Measles

04 · Institutions

Stability

Good

Political stability & no terrorism

72/100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Terrorism deaths (latest year)

0 recorded

100

Country BaselineGlobal Terrorism Database · 2021

Rule of law

65/100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Control of corruption

59/100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

▸ 3 more indicators

Government effectiveness

72/100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Regulatory quality

67/100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Voice & accountability

56/100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

05 · Field Research

Current Situation

Moderate

Traveller sentiment score

Moderately positive

64/100

Reported feel58Moderately positive

Robbery risk62Moderate risk

Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk

Recent visitor reports indicate mixed feelings about safety, with comfort during daylight hours but increased unease at night, especially in less familiar districts.

Yes. Johor Bahru is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance.

The city benefits from low homicide rates and strong institutional scores, but street-level crime such as pickpocketing and opportunistic robbery remains a concern in crowded areas. Recent incidents include a restaurant fire linked to arson and kidnapping-related arrests, highlighting localized risks. Visitors should stay alert in markets and transport hubs, and avoid isolated areas after dark.

Recent developments

Jun 2026Police hunted two arsonists following a restaurant fire in Johor Bahru— The Sun Malaysia
Aug 2026Six locals were charged over alleged kidnapping of a Singaporean couple in Johor Bahru— The Vibes
May 2026Three arrested over a fatal shooting in Skudai involving a victim who worked in Singapore— AsiaOne

Common scams

Fake tour guides offering overpriced packages
Unlicensed taxi drivers charging inflated fares
Counterfeit goods sold in night markets

Which areas are safe? District-by-district ratings are on the Safety Map→

Full briefing

Johor Bahru sees steady visitor traffic due to its proximity to Singapore, and most travelers experience no serious issues when staying alert. The city’s low homicide rate and strong governance indicators reflect a generally stable environment, but street-level risks persist in high-traffic zones. Pickpocketing is frequently reported along Jalan Wong Ah Fook and near the Causeway, where crowds create opportunities for theft. Visitors should secure bags and avoid displaying phones or wallets openly. While violent crime is less common, isolated incidents such as the June 2026 restaurant fire and kidnapping-related arrests in August show that criminal activity can flare in specific localities, often linked to organized groups or disputes.

Scams targeting visitors remain a noted concern, particularly around Forest City and tourist precincts, where fake guides and inflated taxi fares have been reported. Counterfeit goods are also common in night markets, though the risk is primarily financial rather than physical. Using licensed transport via ride-hailing apps reduces exposure to fare disputes or unsafe vehicles. Travelers are advised to stay in well-lit, populated areas after dark and avoid shortcuts through industrial or unfamiliar neighborhoods like parts of Pasir Gudang. Despite these cautions, the overall environment remains manageable for those who follow basic safety practices, and the city continues to welcome significant cross-border movement without widespread safety breakdowns.

Was this Johor Bahru, Malaysia report helpful?

06 · Neighbourhoods

Safest areas and areas to avoid

8 districts

Our field research rated 8 Johor Bahru districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Johor Bahru safety map.

Forest CityavoidOngoing police raids for scams and fraud; high risk of tourist-targeted rental and investment scams.

Johor Bahru City CentrecautionBusy with cross-border traffic and shopping; petty theft and bag snatching reported, especially near Larkin and CIQ areas.

SkudaicautionUniversity area with occasional violent crime; fatal shooting reported in May 2026 involving a Singaporean worker.

Danga BaycautionWaterfront leisure area; pickpocketing reported in crowds, especially during evenings and weekends.

PlentongcautionIndustrial and residential mix; isolated reports of muggings near factories after dark, avoid walking alone late night.

Pasir PelangisaferHistoric residential zone with low crime; popular for local food and culture, minimal visitor incidents.

TebrausaferSuburban district with shopping malls and hospitals; low violent crime, good infrastructure and lighting.

Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple areasaferCultural heritage site with regular patrols; safe during daylight, avoid isolated side streets after dark.

3 safer4 caution1 avoidOpen the district map

07 · After Dark

Is Johor Bahru safe at night?

91% of people in Malaysia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2021).

Opportunistic mugging can occur in poorly lit or isolated areas, particularly near transport hubs after dark.

After dark, be most careful around Forest City, Johor Bahru City Centre, Skudai, Danga Bay. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.

08 · Questions

Johor Bahru safety FAQ (2026)

Is Johor Bahru safe right now (2026)?

Yes. Johor Bahru is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance. The city benefits from low homicide rates and strong institutional scores, but street-level crime such as pickpocketing and opportunistic robbery remains a concern in crowded areas. Recent incidents include a restaurant fire linked to arson and kidnapping-related arrests, highlighting localized risks. Visitors should stay alert in markets and transport hubs, and avoid isolated areas after dark. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)

Is Johor Bahru safe for women, families and solo travelers?

Safety is not one number, and this Johor Bahru report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.

Which areas of Johor Bahru should tourists avoid?

Field research flags Forest City as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.

What are the most common scams in Johor Bahru (2026)?

Fake tour guides offering overpriced packages
Unlicensed taxi drivers charging inflated fares
Counterfeit goods sold in night markets

How does Johor Bahru compare with other places in Malaysia (2026)?

Johor Bahru ranks #9 of 9 Malaysia destinations we've assessed, scoring 74/100. See the Malaysia safety overview for the full list.

How is this johor-bahru safety score calculated (2026)?

The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.