Kota Tinggi was hardest hit in the flood that devastated Johor and some parts of Pahang, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan.

The higher administrator of this town called Pegawai Daerah (district officer), which is normally changed every 5–6 years as being promoted by the city council.

Kota Tinggi is represented in the Dewan Rakyat of the Malaysian Parliament by Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin from UMNO, part of the federal ruling alliance Barisan Nasional.

The Kota Tinggi Waterfalls at Lombong, 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) north-west of town, are local tourist destinations.

[citation needed] The natural environment of some parts of the location has somewhat been spoiled by resort development with artificial landscaping.

Teluk Sengat, located 25 km east of Kota Tinggi town, is a village visited by tourists for its seafood.

North–South Expressway Southern Route has an interchange in Kulai to connects Kota Tinggi from Kuala Lumpur.