Malaysia police set up surveillance, barbed wire near Causeway after people seen entering JB illegally
Barbed wire has been installed at a fence near the Causeway between Johor Bahru and Singapore. (Photo: Facebook/Onn Hafiz)
JOHOR BAHRU: Malaysian police have established 24-hour surveillance and installed barbed wire next to the fence along the Tebrau Strait, after people were seen entering Johor on foot near the Causeway.
In a viral video that has been circulating on TikTok since Thursday (Jun 16), a group of people appeared to have avoided immigration checks by walking around the fence to get into Malaysia.
Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi said in a press statement on Friday: “Yesterday, there was a viral video (showing) our borders being infiltrated by those who are irresponsible.”
He said the police have erected a canopy and deployed 24-hour police surveillance at the incident site and installed barbed wires next to the fence along the Tebrau Strait.
The police were also tracking down the individuals who had entered Malaysia via the illegal route, he added.
“I’ve also discussed this matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of attempts to resolve the endless issues at the immigration checkpoints,” said Mr Onn Hafiz.
“I hope the ministry will be more serious in overcoming these issues which impact the country and Johor state,” he added.
The land border between Singapore and Malaysia fully reopened on Apr 1, after prolonged closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Traffic has since soared at the checkpoints. In April, Mr Onn Hafiz said a task force had been set up to find solutions for the congestion issue at the Causeway.
