Sigit: The Jiran Istimewa initiative is aimed at strengthening tourism ties between Johor and Batam.
Special tourist perks await Johoreans travelling to Batam island, Indonesia under the Jiran Istimewa (Jiwa) initiative.
The exclusive perks include accommodation, travel and even food.
Indonesian consul-general in Johor Baru, Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto said the initiative, introduced by his government, was aimed at strengthening tourism between Johor and Batam.
“Jiwa offers exclusive two-way perks for visitors travelling between the two destinations.
“On the official website, Johor citizens can view packages with discounts across 11 categories,” he said during a media briefing session.
“We have worked with tourism players to offer special benefits in categories such as beauty and wellness, restaurants and cafes, car rentals, medical clinics and hospitals, ferry services, as well as gifts and souvenirs.”
He said upon arrival in Batam, tourists could show their identification documents with a Johor address to enjoy the special rates.
Sigit added that the initiative was a collaboration with several tourism industry players to celebrate the two nations’ close relationship and create shared value for both sides.
“We are grateful that Malaysia shares a similar culture with us. Whenever we have people coming over, it is part of our tradition to prepare gifts for them,” he said.
The Jiwa platform, he said, was also designed to encourage greater cross-border movement by providing discounts, packages and privileges tailored specifically for Johor tourists visiting Batam and vice versa.
“Johor and Batam are connected by frequent ferry services, with thousands of passengers travelling across the Straits of Johor every week for leisure, shopping and business.
“Jiwa will help enhance this flow by making it easier for travellers to access curated promotions and benefits.”
Sigit also encouraged Johor residents to explore Batam’s wide range of attractions.
“Through this initiative, both Johor and Batam can create a win-win tourism ecosystem that benefits local businesses, strengthens bilateral ties and provides unique experiences for our people.
“We also hope more benefits will be rolled out in the future, especially for Batam visitors.”
The official website is www.jiran-istimewa.com
