Follow Malaysian traffic rules, S’pore drivers told

JOHOR BARU: Singaporeans driving in Malaysia should be mindful of local traffic regulations and not become road bullies, MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said.

Referring to Saturday’s incident in Tampoi where a Malaysian bus driver was attacked by a Singaporean who allegedly got upset for being honked at, he said Singaporeans should maintain the strict discipline which they practised at home.

“Previously, if you punch a person in Singapore in a road bully case, you can be imprisoned,” he said.

Although the case could be an isolated one, such behaviour was unacceptable of any motorist regardless of where they come from, he told reporters after attending the Johor Baru MCA Chinese New Year gathering here.

On Saturday morning, a 61-year-old bus driver known only as Teh said he had honked at a man who was driving too slow after exiting the Malaysian checkpoint near the Johor Baru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex.

Teh said he overtook the Singaporean, who then became upset and signalled at him to stop his bus.

He claimed that the Singaporean got out of his car and took out a bat.

“The driver then starting shouted vulgarities before striking me with the bat, causing me to fall. Blood started oozing from the left side of my head,” said Teh.

Johor Baru (North) OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Khamsani Abdul Rahman confirmed that the Singaporean driver had been detained.

“The Singaporean, who is in his 60s, claimed that the bus driver hit him first,” he said, adding that motorists should be patient even while driving in stressful hot weather.