List of rivers of Malaysia facts for kids

Malaysia is a country with many amazing rivers! These rivers are super important for nature, people, and even for marking borders between places. This article will help you explore some of the main rivers in Malaysia, showing you where they flow and how they connect different parts of the country. You'll learn about rivers that flow into different seas and those that act like natural boundaries.

The Gombak River (left) merges with the Klang River (right) in Kuala Lumpur.

Rivers that Mark Borders

Did you know some rivers in Malaysia act like natural lines between countries or states? These rivers are super important because they help define where one area ends and another begins.

Rivers Between Countries

Some rivers form borders between Malaysia and its neighbours. For example, the Golok River helps separate parts of Malaysia from Thailand. The Sembakung River and Sibuku River are important rivers that flow near the border between Sabah (in Malaysia) and Indonesia. Also, the Pandaruan River marks a border between Sarawak, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Rivers Between States

Many rivers also flow across or along the borders of different states within Malaysia. This means a single river can be found in more than one state! For example:

• The Perlis River flows between Perlis and Kedah.
• The Muda River is a big river that separates Kedah and Penang.
• The Bernam River forms part of the border between Perak and Selangor.
• The Klang River flows through Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
• The Muar River is a long river that crosses parts of Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
• The Pahang River, one of Malaysia's longest, flows through Pahang and Negeri Sembilan.

Rivers Flowing into the Celebes Sea

The Celebes Sea is located to the east of Sabah. Several rivers from Sabah flow into this sea.

• Kalabakan River
• Kalumpang River
• Serudong River
• Silabukan River
• Tawau River
• Tingkayu River

Rivers Flowing into the South China Sea

The South China Sea is a large sea to the east of Peninsular Malaysia and to the north of Borneo. Many important rivers from different Malaysian states empty into this sea.

Johor Rivers

Here are some rivers from Johor that flow into the South China Sea:

• Johor River (122.7 km long)
• Endau River (280 km long)
• Sembrong River (110 km long)
• Mersing River (60 km long)

Kelantan Rivers

Rivers in Kelantan that meet the South China Sea include:

• Golok River (110 km long)
• Kelantan River (248 km long)
• Nenggeri River (52 km long)
• Galas River (87 km long)
• Lebir River (87 km long)
• Kemasin River
• Semerak River

Pahang Rivers

Pahang has many rivers flowing into the South China Sea, including the very long Pahang River.

• Endau River (280 km long)
  • Its branch, the Anak Endau River (110 km long)
• Kuantan River (86 km long)
• Pahang River (459 km long)
  • Jelai River (97 km long)
    • Lipis River (32 km long)
      • Dong River
  • Tembeling River (110 km long)
    • Tahan River (135 km long)
• Rompin River (83 km long)

Sabah Rivers

Many rivers from Sabah flow into the South China Sea. Some of them are:

• Apas River
• Bongawan River (32 km long)
• Kimanis River (31 km long)
• Padas River (120 km long)
• Papar River (80 km long)
• Tuaran River (80 km long)

Sarawak Rivers

Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, has many large rivers that flow into the South China Sea.

• Baram River
• Kemena River
• Limbang River
• Lupar River
• Mukah River
• Rajang River (one of the longest rivers in Malaysia)
  • Its branches include Balleh River and Balui River
• Sarawak River
• Saribas River
• Sematan River

Terengganu Rivers

Terengganu also has several rivers that flow into the South China Sea.

• Besut River (69 km long)
• Dungun River (88.4 km long)
• Kemaman River (167 km long)
• Setiu River (126 km long)
• Terengganu River (20 km long)

Rivers Flowing into the Strait of Malacca

The Strait of Malacca is a busy shipping lane located to the west of Peninsular Malaysia. Many rivers from the western states of Malaysia flow into this important strait.

Kuala Lumpur Rivers

Even in the busy city of Kuala Lumpur, rivers flow into the Strait of Malacca.

• Buloh River (11.6 km long)
• Klang River (120 km long)
  • The Gombak River (30 km long) joins the Klang River.
• Langat River (78 km long)

Johor Rivers

Rivers from Johor that flow into the Strait of Malacca include:

• Johor River (212 km long)
• Batu Pahat River (12 km long)
• Muar River (250 km long)
• Segamat River (23 km long)

Kedah Rivers

Kedah has several rivers that empty into the Strait of Malacca.

• Kedah River (92 km long)
• Kerian River (90 km long)
• Merbok River (45 km long)
• Muda River (203 km long)

Malacca Rivers

The state of Malacca is known for its historic river.

• Malacca River (40 km long)
• Linggi River (84 km long)
• Muar River (250 km long)

Negeri Sembilan Rivers

Rivers from Negeri Sembilan that flow towards the Strait of Malacca include:

• Langat River (78 km long)
• Linggi River (84 km long)
• Muar River (250 km long)
• Sepang River (30 km long)

Penang Rivers

Penang, an island and mainland state, has rivers flowing into the strait.

• Juru River (19 km long)
• Perai River (73 km long)
• Kerian River (90 km long)
• Pinang River (3.1 km long)

Perak Rivers

Perak has the longest river in Peninsular Malaysia.

• Bernam River (200 km long)
• Kerian River (90 km long)
• Perak River (427 km long)
  • Its main branch is the Kinta River (100 km long)
• Kurau River (92 km long)

Perlis Rivers

Perlis, the smallest state, also has rivers flowing into the strait.

• Besar River, Perlis (6.5 km long)
• Perlis River (11.8 km long)
• Arau River (21.5 km long)

Selangor Rivers

Selangor has many important rivers that flow into the Strait of Malacca.

• Bernam River (200 km long)
• Buloh River (11.6 km long)
• Klang River (120 km long)
  • Branches include Ampang River (18.3 km long) and Damansara River (21 km long)
• Langat River (78 km long)
• Selangor River (110 km long)
• Sepang River (30 km long)

Rivers Flowing into the Sulu Sea

The Sulu Sea is located to the northeast of Sabah.

• Kinabatangan River (560 km long), one of the longest rivers in Malaysia.
• Labuk River (260 km long)
  • Its branch is the Liwagu River (215 km long)
• Segama River (350 km long)
• Sugut River (178 km long)

Rivers Flowing into the Tebrau Strait

The Tebrau Strait is a narrow body of water separating Johor, Malaysia, from Singapore.

• Johor River (212 km long)
  • Its branch is the Segget River (4 km long)
• Pulai River (38 km long)
• Skudai River (46 km long)
• Tebrau River (33 km long)