The strike began at 5 a.m. on July 21 during the morning rush, causing long queues at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar bus terminals and stops across Johor Bahru, according to Malaysia’s newspaper Berita Harian. With no buses in service, many commuters walked the 1.05-kilometer Causeway connecting Malaysia and Singapore to avoid being late for work.
“We were all stunned to see the bus queues stretching endlessly,” said Munir Selamat, 34, a restaurant worker in the city-state, as quoted by Malaysian online publication Says. “We were confused, only to be told the drivers had gone on strike. Eventually, we had no choice—everyone just started walking,” he added.
While initial reports did not name the bus company involved, a driver from Handal Indah—the operator of the Causeway Link service—told Channel News Asia that employees were protesting pay cuts ranging from several hundred ringgit to around RM1,000 (US$237).
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Commuters left with no choice but to walk across Malaysia-Singapore border as bus drivers go on strike. Photo from Facebook |
A driver identified only as Atoi told Berita Harian salaries had been reduced by nearly a third, dropping from around RM2,800–2,900 a month to less than RM2,000. Drivers were also required to take on more trips daily, increasing from four to five.
Many commuters only learned about the strike after arriving at BSI and witnessing the disruption.
Johor Public Works, Transport, and Infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh later met with the company and drivers in an effort to resolve the issue, New Straits Times reported.
By 10:30 a.m., some drivers had resumed service, though many remained off duty.
Photos and videos showing crowds of Malaysians walking into Singapore have gone viral on social media, sparking calls for better working conditions for cross-border drivers.
In a statement carried by Malaysian media, Causeway Link said the disruption on July 21 resulted from “miscommunication concerning salary calculation matters with a group of drivers,” according to CNA.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to our passengers during this period and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding,” the company said.
