A recent incident involving a Singaporean businessman’s luxury car being broken into at a Johor Bahru (JB) market serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when traveling abroad.
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The businessman, who preferred to be identified only as Rino, had parked his BMW 218i Gran Coupe in a sheltered carpark at a Pandan wholesale market after midnight on April 2. Upon returning to his vehicle after approximately 50 minutes, he discovered that one of the windows had been shattered, and a bag containing various items, including a crane operating license, RM100 in cash, a smartwatch, and a set of house keys, had been stolen.
According to Straits Times, Rino, who had been visiting JB for over 20 years, had never encountered such an incident before. The stolen bag had been placed under the driver’s seat, and the missing items were estimated to cost around $500 to replace. Although a dashcam in the car could have potentially captured footage of the theft, it was unfortunately turned off at the time.
Despite the unfortunate event, Rino remains undeterred and plans to visit JB again during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. He remains committed to driving his own vehicle, stating, “I have to drive.”
This incident is not an isolated case in the Pandan district, a popular destination for both locals and Singaporeans, especially during the Ramadan month. Earlier in March, a TikTok user shared a video about his car being broken into and ransacked at the S’mart market in the same area.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale for those planning to visit JB, emphasizing the importance of taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their vehicles and personal belongings. As Rino himself stated in a TikTok video, “Be careful when you visit Pandan.”
For those traveling to JB, it is advisable to take extra measures to secure their vehicles, such as parking in well-lit and secure areas, removing valuable items from sight, and ensuring that all security features are activated.