Over 100 drivers strike at Johor terminal, forcing Malaysians to walk to Singapore
A sudden strike by over 100 Malaysian bus drivers early Monday morning left thousands of cross-border workers stranded at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) in Johor Bahru, sparking chaos and forcing many to walk across the Johor Causeway to reach their workplaces in Singapore.
Sudden Disruption Shocks Thousands
At 5 am on July 22, Malaysian bus drivers transporting passengers from Johor Bahru to Singapore launched an unannounced strike. The protest, involving around 100 drivers, immediately halted operations at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI), catching thousands of commuters off guard. A video circulating on social media captured the overcrowded terminal at 5.30 am, with frustrated passengers scrambling to find alternatives.
Private employee Saiful Umar, 37, said he was “shocked” by the lack of information. “There was no notice. Everyone was confused and had no choice but to walk,” he told Bernama. Saiful himself walked nearly two kilometers across the Causeway to reach Woodlands before returning home to Tampoi out of concern the strike might persist.
Root Cause: Wage Disputes And Workload
The strike reportedly stemmed from discontent over a recent adjustment in salary and work expectations. Drivers claimed their monthly pay had been slashed from RM2,800–RM2,900 to below RM2,000—equivalent to roughly SGD 580 down to less than SGD 415. Additionally, they said the company increased their daily mandatory trips from four to five without proportional compensation.
One driver, identified only as Atoi, 35, confirmed the wage cut was the primary trigger. “We can’t survive on this new salary, especially with increased responsibilities,” he told Berita Harian.
Commuters Left In Limbo
K. Ramesh, 40, another daily commuter, criticized the lack of contingency plans and communication. “This is ridiculous. It’s affecting our routines, our jobs—our entire livelihoods. This should’ve been resolved internally without punishing commuters,” he said.
With no buses available, many resorted to walking the 1–2 km stretch over the Johor Causeway, turning the busy crossing into a footpath for workers desperate to get to their offices on time.
Rapid Government Response
By 6.30 pm the same day, bus operations had resumed and the situation returned to normal. ohor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee Chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh confirmed the strike. He said he visited BSI as early as 4 am to monitor the situation, accompanied by representatives from the Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) and local bus operators.
Fazli added that discussions were ongoing between government officials, bus companies, and the striking drivers to find a fair resolution.
Bigger Picture: Border Reliance and Worker Rights
The incident highlights the vital role of cross-border transportation for Malaysian workers supporting Singapore’s workforce. An estimated 350,000 Malaysians commute to Singapore daily for better wages. Disruptions like this not only affect individual workers but also business operations across the border.
If unresolved, similar labor disputes may risk recurring, causing logistical and diplomatic friction. Both Malaysia and Singapore must prioritize infrastructure resilience and labor fairness to sustain this vital commuting corridor.
This unexpected strike underscores the vulnerability of daily commuters who depend heavily on Malaysia–Singapore bus services. While operations have resumed, the incident reveals deeper issues around wage protections, cross-border transport infrastructure, and labor rights. For Indonesians and others observing regional labor trends, this serves as a reminder of the broader challenges facing Southeast Asia’s mobile workforce.
Sources: Bernama (2025) , Thesun.my (2025) , Malay Mail (2025)
Keywords: Bus Driver Strike, Johor Causeway, Sultan Iskandar Building, Cross-Border Workers, Singapore Commute, Salary Protest
