Thousands of early morning commuters travelling between Johor Bahru and Singapore found themselves stranded or forced to walk across the Causeway on Monday morning after bus drivers staged a sudden strike at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) checkpoint.
The industrial action, which took place around 6.30am, involved drivers from a local bus operator responsible for ferrying passengers across the border daily. The disruption, though short-lived, caused a significant bottleneck during peak travel hours.
Strike Ends Within Hours But Damage Already Done
According to Johor state committee chairman for works, transportation, infrastructure, and communication, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, the drivers’ refusal to operate was linked to internal grievances—specifically an alleged wage cut imposed by the company.
“We had to walk cause no choice”
Authorities have not released the number of drivers who participated in the strike or how many passengers were affected. The committee has since called for both the bus company and driver representatives to settle their dispute swiftly and amicably.
Cross-Border Transport Disruption Raises Concerns
The incident has once again highlighted the fragile nature of cross-border public transportation, which thousands of Malaysians rely on daily to work in Singapore. A breakdown in such essential services—even for a short duration—can trigger ripple effects, including missed work hours, disrupted logistics, and commuter dissatisfaction.
While the state government has reportedly received assurances that such service interruptions will not happen again, public confidence remains shaken. With many Malaysians depending on cross-border jobs due to the stronger Singapore dollar, any threat to transportation stability could also have economic implications for families on both sides of the Causeway.
Efforts are now being made to ensure that wage-related disputes between companies and workers do not spill over into the public domain at the expense of commuters. There is growing pressure for the state government and relevant agencies to intervene more proactively when such disputes arise.
Wage Dispute Spotlights Broader Labour Issues
While the bus company involved has yet to issue a public statement, insiders suggest that the drivers’ frustration stems from recent salary reductions, which they deem unfair considering the high volume of passengers they serve daily. With cost of living rising and no wage increase in sight, tensions have clearly reached a boiling point.
The disruption also underscores the need for stronger labour protections for transport workers, particularly those in roles critical to cross-border infrastructure. As Malaysia and Singapore deepen their economic ties, ensuring that essential workers are fairly compensated and heard is not just a moral responsibility—it is a necessity for regional stability.
This latest disruption serves as a wake-up call to transport authorities and policy-makers: without proactive dialogue and stronger worker protections, more such flashpoint incidents could be on the horizon.