Three Singapore-registered vehicles were allegedly broken into while parked at Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast in Johor, Malaysia, with the incidents reportedly occurring in the afternoon.
Photographs of the affected vehicles were shared online by Singaporean visitor Syafiq Maselan, who said his own car was parked nearby but was not damaged.
Maselan said he took the photographs at about 4:23pm on Sep. 6 before posting them in the public MY SG Road Trip – Your Malaysia Road Trip Guide! Facebook group as a warning to fellow Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia.
Vehicles Reportedly Damaged In Broad Daylight
Images shared by Maselan appeared to show damage to three vehicles. Two of them reportedly had their rear passenger windows smashed, while the rear windscreen of another vehicle had been shattered.
One of the affected cars was identifiable as a Tribecar vehicle. The car-sharing company subsequently confirmed that one of its vehicles had been involved in the incident.
Maselan said he was fortunate that his own vehicle was left alone, particularly because there were children’s electronic devices on the rear seat. He suggested that bags or other belongings left inside the affected vehicles may have attracted the attention of whoever was responsible.
The apparent break-ins have prompted discussion among Singaporean travellers about the risks of leaving valuables inside vehicles when travelling overseas.
Tribecar Confirms Vehicle Was Involved
Tribecar said it was aware that one of its vehicles had been affected while in Desaru and confirmed that the hirer and his family were safe.
The company reminded customers that they should not independently arrange repairs to a damaged Tribecar vehicle without obtaining approval beforehand.
In this particular case, Tribecar said it gave the hirer permission to arrange for the damaged window and window tint to be replaced in Malaysia. The customer was allowed to organise the repairs at his own expense, without additional fees being imposed by Tribecar.
The company said the arrangement was made specifically for this incident and was based on the circumstances involved.
Insurance May Apply Depending On Policy
Tribecar also explained that insurance coverage could potentially apply where a vehicle has suffered significant damage.
The company said damage that is substantial and comparable to that resulting from an accident may be covered by the vehicle’s insurance, although this would depend on the relevant policy terms.
Any applicable excess or deductible would also need to be taken into account, meaning coverage is not necessarily guaranteed for every incident.
Tribecar said it generally assesses such situations individually, particularly when customers encounter unexpected problems while travelling.
Travellers Urged To Take Precautions
The incident highlights the importance of taking precautions when parking vehicles overseas, especially at busy tourist destinations.
Motorists travelling from Singapore may want to avoid leaving bags, electronic devices or other valuable belongings visible inside their cars. Even when a vehicle is locked, visible items can potentially attract unwanted attention.
Travellers should also consider taking photographs of any damage and making a police report where appropriate. For rental or car-sharing vehicles, contacting the operator before arranging repairs can help prevent disputes over insurance coverage or repair costs.
According to Maselan, the occupants of the Mercedes whose rear windscreen was smashed told him that they had made a police report following the incident.
The reported break-ins took place at a popular attraction in Desaru, a destination frequently visited by Singaporeans, particularly during weekends and holidays. The incident is therefore likely to serve as another reminder for motorists to be cautious about what they leave inside their vehicles when making trips across the border.