Allegations of Bribery at Border Spark Concerns Over Immigration Practices

A Singaporean woman has alleged that an immigration officer at the Johor Bahru (JB) checkpoint asked her to pay RM200 (S$60) due to torn pages in her passport. The incident, which reportedly took place on February 23, has raised questions about the integrity of border control procedures in Malaysia.

Incident at JB Checkpoint

According to 72-year-old Li Lihong (transliterated from Mandarin), the issue arose when she and eight friends were crossing into Johor Bahru for a Chinese New Year gathering. At around 11 a.m., the group arrived at the JB checkpoint in a chartered vehicle, where they handed their passports to the immigration officer without leaving their seats.

The officer proceeded to stamp several passports before stopping at Li’s document, claiming that its pages were torn. Photos shared by Li showed that two corners of her passport pages had been ripped off.

Demand for Money in Exchange for Clearance

After identifying the torn pages, the officer allegedly informed the group’s driver that Li had to pay RM200 (S$60) before she could pass through the checkpoint. Li, who had only RM50 (S$15) in cash at the time, asked if a lower sum was acceptable. The officer reportedly insisted on a minimum payment of RM100 (S$30).

Eventually, Li complied and paid RM100, after which she was allowed entry into Malaysia. She later expressed concerns that she might face similar issues when returning to Singapore, but the officer assured her that it would not be a problem.

After returning to Singapore later that evening without incident, Li applied for a new passport the following day. However, she remained puzzled as to how the pages in her passport had become torn. She asserted that she always checks her passport before traveling and found no damage prior to her departure. The passport had been renewed only two years ago and was valid until 2033.

According to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore, a passport with any damage, including torn pages, is considered invalid. Singaporeans encountering such issues are advised to replace their passports immediately.

No Response from Malaysian Authorities

Shin Min Daily News contacted Malaysia’s Immigration Department in Johor and Johor’s Public Works, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman, Mohamad Fazli Mohammad Salleh, for comments. However, as of March 3, there had been no response to inquiries regarding the incident.

This case has sparked discussions on social media, with many travelers expressing concerns about transparency and accountability at border crossings. Allegations of arbitrary fines and inconsistent enforcement at immigration checkpoints have been reported by other travelers, leading to calls for stronger oversight.

This incident raises broader concerns about the conduct of immigration officers at Malaysia’s border crossings. For frequent travelers between Singapore and Malaysia, transparency in immigration procedures is crucial to maintaining trust.

Singaporeans and other international visitors should take extra precautions when crossing borders, ensuring that their passports are in good condition before travel. Additionally, those who experience similar incidents are encouraged to report them to the relevant authorities in both Malaysia and Singapore to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.

Sources: Must Share News (2025), Mothership (2025)

Keywords: Singapore Passport, JB Checkpoint, Immigration Officer, Torn Passport, Border Issue