A viral video has triggered an online storm and a growing boycott of several Johor Bahru (JB) car washes, after claims surfaced that some operators were rejecting Malaysian vehicles in favour of Singaporean customers.
The controversy erupted following a clip posted on social media, allegedly showing a JB car wash turning away a Malaysian driver while accepting only Singapore-registered cars. The footage quickly spread across Facebook and TikTok, igniting frustration among local motorists who feel sidelined on their own turf.
In response, many Malaysians have begun avoiding car washes in the Taman Abad area, near one of JB’s busiest shopping malls—causing a noticeable drop in daily business for several outlets.
Staff Say They’re Misunderstood, Not Biased
While public outrage continues to mount, workers on the ground insist the issue is being taken out of context. One supervisor, Rana Sheikh Ali, 46, who oversees operations at a mid-sized car wash, said the viral claims are not representative of the entire industry.
“It’s not fair to lump all of us together. Only a handful of premium centres operate on an appointment basis or cater to foreign tourists more aggressively during weekends,” he said. “Most of us serve everyone equally.”
Before the incident, his centre would wash between 50 and 70 vehicles per weekend—roughly 60 per cent of which were Malaysian-registered. That number has since plummeted, with fewer than 10 locals showing up each day, a blow to businesses already struggling with inflation and rising overheads.
Car Wash Pricing Practices Under Fire
Among the biggest complaints from disgruntled customers is aggressive upselling and inconsistent car wash pricing. Rana clarified that his outlet charges RM12 for standard cars and RM15 for larger vehicles, while optional services like “water wax” treatments are priced between RM50 and RM80.
Still, not everyone is buying the explanation. Abdul Rahim Jamian, 43, recounted being charged RM62 after being pressured into additional services. “I used to wash my car there every month. Now, I’d rather drive out to smaller shops further away—cheaper, and no nonsense,” he said.
Online, Malaysians have started sharing similar stories of unexpected charges or being told “fully booked” when showing up without Singapore plates—raising questions about consumer trust and transparency.
Government Vows Action Against Discriminatory Practices
Amid rising tensions, Johor’s Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor has stepped in, issuing a strong warning to car wash businesses.
“Refusing to serve locals is unacceptable. Any outlet caught doing so may risk losing its operating licence,” he said, adding that inspections and compliance checks will begin in the coming days.
The state’s firm stance comes as public pressure mounts for local authorities to protect domestic consumers and ensure fair treatment across all service sectors, especially those frequented by Singapore tourists.
Businesses Struggle to Recover Trust
The economic fallout is already evident. Car wash operators fear that the boycott—initially sparked by weekend complaints—may now affect weekday traffic too. For many foreign workers employed at these centres, the consequences could be severe.
“We are just trying to earn a living,” Rana pleaded. “Punishing all of us over one video is not the solution. If this keeps up, a lot of us will be out of work.”
As social media continues to shape consumer behaviour, businesses in Johor Bahru are learning just how quickly public sentiment can shift—especially when it comes to perceptions of fairness, service quality, and national pride.