SINGAPORE: Crowds of Causeway bus travellers from Singapore were seen at Malaysia’s immigration building in Johor Bahru on Friday evening (Oct 21), ahead of the Deepavali long weekend.

Videos shared on the Facebook page Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossers showed a crush of commuters jostling for space at the bus platform. 

Shouts could be heard as people pushed forward to walk up the escalator and staircase into the arrival immigration hall. 

A video shared by Facebook user Gugan Zizou at about 10.40pm showed a Malaysian official standing on a platform. 

“Stop pushing, stop pushing!” the uniformed official was heard saying as he attempted to control the crowd.

A separate video taken by Facebook user Revathi Rajagopal showed how the travellers were standing shoulder to shoulder. Voices could be heard urging the crowd to stop pushing. 

“There is a person who is about to fall,” a man was heard saying. 

JOHOR BAHRU: A two-year-old Malaysian boy died after falling from a baby chair in an accident at a restaurant in Taman Sutera, Johor Bahru on Tuesday afternoon (Oct 4). 

In a statement released on Tuesday, Johor Bahru North’s deputy officer in charge of the police district Superintendent Fariz Ammar Abdullah said: “Police investigations at the scene on Oct 4 revealed that at around 2pm, the deceased’s parents brought him to the restaurant and put him on the baby chair.

“At around 3pm, while eating, the boy acted in a manner outside the control (of his parents) by pushing against the table with his feet, causing the baby chair he was on to fall and he hit his head against the floor.”

“The incident caused the deceased to cry loudly and lose consciousness. The incident was witnessed by restaurant staff,” Mr Fariz Ammar added.

The father then brought the toddler to a private clinic, where he was advised by the clinic physician to take the child to the hospital “as his condition appeared serious”, he added.

“The deceased’s father then brought him to a private hospital in Iskandar Puteri where he was pronounced dead by medical officers on duty.” 

He added that there was no criminal element in the incident but an investigation classified under a “sudden death report” was ongoing. 

Johor Bahru resident Zulkhubri Ali Khan, who is a regular at Seven Oaks Bakery Cafe at Taman Pelangi, told CNA that he noticed the outlet has tweaked the prices on its menu in recent weeks. 

“The prices have gone up. Pasta dishes that previously cost RM18 to RM20 are now RM22 to RM25. Same with other mains like burgers and rice dishes,” said Mr Zulkhubri. 

“I don’t think this will prevent me from coming again because the food quality here is good. But it’s worth noting that each meal will be more expensive,” added the business consultant. 

Manager for Seven Oaks Bakery Cafe Firdaus Mansur said that due to price hikes for raw materials like eggs, rice and cooking oil, prices of “most dishes” on its menu have gone up by 5 to 10 per cent. 

However, he said that the cafe has also increased the portion of its dishes.

“We obtain ingredients directly from a supplier, and the prices we buy these raw foods are in line with what the government has set,” said Mr Firdaus. 

“Our profit margins are already very small so we don’t gain anything from increasing the prices,” he added. 

INFLUX OF SINGAPORE VISITORS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR?   

Some locals have mooted the possibility that eateries in Johor Bahru have increased prices due to the return of visitors from Singapore since the borders reopened in April. 

Mr Muhd Nur Hidayat claimed that it was possible many of these eateries lost revenue during prolonged border closures due to COVID-19, and are now looking to “earn back” by increasing prices. 

“In 2021, when dining out resumed (as part of loosening COVID-19 restrictions), many outlets did not raise prices as they were likely afraid of scaring away locals,” said Muhd Nur Hidayat.

“But now that Singaporeans are back, business is good and in demand, they grab the opportunity to recoup their losses,” he posited. 

Local news outlet the Star reported last week that the influx of visitors from Singapore, coupled with a stronger Singapore dollar against the Malaysia ringgit, has led to Johor Bahru eateries cashing in by raising prices. 

Yet, Johor Bahru eateries interviewed by CNA denied they were deliberately cashing in on any tourist influx, maintaining that the hike was just a snowball effect of an increase in operating costs. 

Seven Oaks manager Mr Firdaus said that the increase in prices on the cafe’s menu was made to ensure it remains affordable for its local clientele, and not its Singapore customers. 

“On weekends, our customers are 50 to 60 per cent from Singapore. But on the whole, we are still very much dependent on locals to keep our business going,” said Mr Firdaus. 

“Hence, we only raised prices in a measured manner,” he added. 

Ms Nizwara Sayabi, who operates a Ramly burger stall near a car wash in Bukit Chagar, said that she has increased prices because meat patties, eggs, buns and wrapping paper were getting more expensive. 

Remote working is an increasingly popular choice for Singapore workers. 

A recent survey of 1,000 workers conducted by recruitment agency Randstad showed that two in five respondents said that they would not accept a job if they were unable to work from home or anytime they wanted.

Moreover, more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of the respondents said that they valued the importance of remote work.

Randstad managing director Jaya Dass, who helms the agency’s offices in Singapore and Malaysia, told CNA that there was an increase in preference for remote work because it gives people the flexibility to have greater control of their time. 

“The findings in our research suggested that Singaporeans want the option to work flexibly because it allows them to personalise their schedule. When employees work from home, not only will there be less distractions to meet deadlines at work, they will also get to spend more time with their family members and do some household work,” said Ms Dass. 

“This will allow them to make more time in the evenings and weekends for activities that they like, such as catching up with their friends over a meal, work on gig projects to upskill themselves or travel to neighbouring countries,” added the human resources expert. 

For those who can now work from home, being based in Johor Bahru is a “no brainer”, according to 58-year-old Azhar Yusof.

The IT engineer moved with his wife to Johor Bahru earlier this year, having purchased a retirement home near Nusajaya.

While his spouse is retired, Mr Azhar works remotely.

“I connect with clients and colleagues via online video calls. (Being overseas) is no problem,” he said. 

“I’m thankful that my boss is accommodating. As long as I get my work done, he does not mind if I’m based in Johor or anywhere,” he added.

LOWER PERSONAL EXPENSES A MAJOR DRAW

A major factor that has prompted Singaporeans to relocate to Johor Bahru is lower costs for housing, groceries and other amenities.

“Not all things are cheaper in Johor Bahru than in Singapore. But for most items, we do save quite a bit,” said Mr Azhar. 

He estimates that the groceries there are typically 50 per cent cheaper as compared to Singapore. 

“The savings do add up. We do groceries at places … where most locals go. The food is fresh and cheap,” he added. 

Mr Azhar added that the favourable exchange rate has made it more economical to live in Johor Bahru.  

In early August, the Ringgit depreciated to a record low against the Singapore Dollar, touching RM3.2410, according to a report by The Edge.