Malaysian Man Fined for Illegal Cross-Border Ride-Hailing
A 42-year-old Malaysian man, Ng Choh Kit, has been penalised after illegally transporting five passengers from Malaysia to Singapore. Each passenger was charged RM100 (about S$30.40) for the ride, which authorities classified as an unlicensed cross-border taxi service.
Ng was also caught importing contraband cigarettes, involving over S$42,000 in unpaid duties. For the cigarette offence, he received a nine-month jail sentence on September 1. In addition, Ng was fined S$1,800 for his unauthorised ride-hailing activities and banned from driving in Singapore for 12 months. Unable to pay the fine, he will serve an additional six days in jail.
How the Offence Was Detected
The incident occurred on May 18, when Singapore Customs stopped Ng’s Malaysia-registered vehicle at Woodlands Checkpoint. Court documents indicate that the five passengers were picked up at Mersing Pier and were transported to Singapore without the required registration or insurance coverage for commercial ride-hailing services, reported CNA.
Authorities emphasised that such unlicensed operations endanger passengers and undermine the livelihoods of law-abiding drivers. Senior Minister of State for Transport, Sun Xueling, noted that only licensed cross-border taxis meet regulatory standards and ensure passenger safety.
Ng’s Personal Circumstances
Ng told the court he was attempting to raise money for his wife, who is battling womb cancer, and also needed to care for elderly family members. He requested leniency so he could return home to continue his caregiving duties.
Cross-border ride-hailing remains illegal without proper licensing and insurance, and enforcement has been stepped up in recent months. Singapore and Malaysia are discussing potential improvements to the cross-border taxi scheme, with authorities emphasising that any changes require agreement from both governments.
Looking Ahead
On September 2, Singapore’s Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow met taxi associations to review the current cross-border arrangements. The government continues to encourage regulated and licensed services to protect passengers while providing sustainable options for drivers operating between the two countries.