Ayer Molek Prison is known to Johor Bahru citizens across generations, in different forms from different eras. Aged over a century and four decades, 147 years to be exact, citizens from all walks of life have their own memory of the said quarters. From when it was still active, holding up prisoners, to when it decayed, reclaimed by nature, looming as a dark square in the middle of a bustling city.
With the area being renamed to Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD), it is timely for JOHO brand and Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) to collaborate and reclaim the place as KOTAJAIL, a tourism destination and creative placemaker hub that redefines the meaning of heritage in the context of a modern and progressive city.
KOTAJAIL Operations Director, Zul Abbas, said that all restoration and re-styling work was carried out through personal efforts by JOHO, without any public funds or financial assistance from any party.
In a joint media visit organised by Tourism Johor and JOHO, going past the fortress-like walls where the former office and visitors’ space were, the venue, albeit being old and run-down, is decorated and rejuvenated into cafes and event spaces.
Further ahead, with a few climbs of stairs, we are then transported back to a time when convicts were ordered by the high court to serve their sentences behind bars and walls that had stood the test of time.
Guided by JOHO Managing Director Nor Zamirah Zainuddin, she told us the stories behind the sketches, carvings, and objects used by them remained in the cells, and each could be shared by up to six or seven people at once.
A large pool to contain water where the inmates would clean themselves is located at the other end of the entrance, out into the open space, where fences are too high to climb with barbed wires and lights that are now fraying and rusty.
On the other side of the same building, several rooms house the actual prison artefacts, such as cuffs, nooses, canes, and uniforms. One room is a simple theatre made up of a white screen, projector, immersive speakers and benches, continuously screens a documentary of a caning session for inmates. Before you sit down to watch, please be cautious of the open wound that will be shown on screen.
“We started by cleaning and preserving the old prison structure while maintaining the defensive elements and its original identity. Our aim is clear, which is to make the public understand and appreciate the strength and history of this place.
“For 147 years, the function of this building as a detention institution has been one of the longest-kept secrets. Now, we are opening up the opportunity for the public to see and experience the experience of being here for themselves,” he said.
KOTAJAIL is poised to become an iconic placemaker and landmark – reviving the historical heart of Johor Bahru and opening a new chapter for dynamic cultural and economic growth.
“KOTAJAIL is not a museum of the past; it is the launch of the future where new stories are created, not imprisoned,” said the founder of the JOHO brand.
Aside from that, KOTAJAIL’s redevelopment and infilling indirectly support and complement the government’s efforts to welcome local and foreign tourists in conjunction with Visit Johor Year 2026, as quoted by Johor Tourism Director Sharil Nizam Abdul Rahim.
“The main attraction for tourists is not only because of its historical value but also because of the approach that is presented in a relaxed, informative and local spirit.
“This project is also part of Johor Brand’s collaboration with several parties, including KOTAJAIL and the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB),” he told reporters during the media visit.
He went on to say that the location is also suitable for family and student visits, as well as for learning about history and preserving local heritage.
He stated that the information presented at KOTAJAIL is extremely useful and will raise awareness, particularly among the younger generation, about the importance of preserving the state’s heritage.
Meanwhile, Sharil Nizam expresses confidence that the introduction of new products such as KOTAJAIL, Muzium Tokoh Johor (Johor Figure Museum), and Sungai Melayu will enhance Johor Bahru’s reputation as a thrilling tourist destination.
“The majority of the new attractions are expected to be completed in stages beginning in late 2025 and early 2026, making Johor a fresher and more competitive destination in the eyes of domestic and international tourists,” he said.
JOHO held their most anticipated annual festival, Kopi-O-Rama, from 1st to 4th May, with the goal of making KOTAJAIL a tourism product that can become one of the main tourist attractions in the future. Domestic coffee artisans, food vendors, crafters, thrift vendors, and artists gathered to celebrate and appreciate local makers.
What was once a symbol of limitations is now a limitless space where culture, business, and creative innovation intersect.
This demonstrates the power of community vision, which is motivated by dedication, creativity, and a collaborative spirit. JOHO believed that heritage could serve as a foundation for inclusive and forward-looking development.
Behind these century-old walls, visitors can enjoy Ayer Molek Prison Gallery, Multi-purpose Event Space, Artisanal Cafe, Restaurant & F&B and Sale of local products & crafts, with more in the pipeline, such as the Ayer Molek National Art Gallery, Cultural Performances and Exhibitions, Co-Working Space, Residential Artists & Backpackers Hostel, Skate Park, Pickle & Paddle Court, Children’s Playground and a Library.
KOTAJAIL also invites artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and creators to revive this historic space with a new energy.
Every space in KOTAJAIL contributes to the growth of Johor Bahru’s cultural economy, where free creativity meets institutional aspirations, through exhibitions, pop-ups, community dialogue, and cultural exchange.
The historic site in the KOTAJAIL area is now free to the public and focusses on preserving the building’s original identity while emphasising the state’s historical value and heritage.
Interested parties for collaborations, partnerships, or media enquiries may contact them by sending an email to kotajailpam@gmail.com, texting or calling them at +6016 721 5646.
For updates on their activities, follow their social media page currently only on Instagram under the alias @kotajail.
