During the recent Vesak day holiday, a couple spent hours traveling and queuing to try and get into Johor Bahru and they eventually gave up and returned to Singapore.
Their change of plans was prompted by a frustrating experience at the Malaysia customs, where they spent an arduous two hours in an almost immobile queue.
According to a video posted on TikTok by user @shiffythecow, the couple began their journey at 10 am. By that time, the line for the bus to the checkpoint was already stretching extensively, and it took them until 11:30 am to finally board the bus after waiting for one and a half hours.
It was evident to the couple that their decision to travel during a peak period on a public holiday would have consequences. Little did they know that their ordeal was far from over.
After successfully clearing the Singapore checkpoint and reaching the Malaysia customs around 12:30 pm, the couple realized that the crowded bus ride they had endured earlier was merely a glimpse of the long waiting time that awaited them.
According to @shiffythecow, the immigration hall at the Malaysia checkpoint was swarmed with people, creating a congested environment reminiscent of sardines tightly packed in a can. The lack of organized queues resulted in a chaotic situation, with individuals trying to squeeze their way through the crowd. Visual evidence captured in video footage revealed that the initial queue extended outside the building itself.
Inside the cramped space, the combination of the crowd and the heat made conditions uncomfortable. People resorted to using handheld fans and caps to alleviate the stuffiness, and some individuals felt faint, requiring assistance from others who provided them with medication and fanning.
Frustrated by the slow progress of the line, the couple ultimately made the decision to abandon their wait and returned to Singapore around 2:30 pm, exactly two hours after they had joined the queue.
The original poster (OP) stated that their choice was influenced by the realization that the line was barely moving. Many netizens expressed support for the couple’s decision, recognizing that long queues were to be expected. Estimates suggested that it could take between five to seven hours to clear customs, indicating that the couple would have wasted a significant portion of their day, likely passing through customs between 6 pm and 8 pm.
One TikTok user advised future travelers to commence their journeys early, ideally before 9 am, if they plan to visit JB during peak periods. Another experienced traveler recommended registering for e-gates via manual counters for smoother subsequent trips and reduced waiting times when visiting JB during crowded times.
@shiffythecow I am a quitter #tiktoksg#fypsg#fypmalaysia #fypã‚·ã‚šviral #fypviralã‚· ♬ original sound – Lacey