The ban was implemented by Malaysia after the opening of the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, which is about 500m further up the road from the old complex.

Johor Immigration director Mohd Nasri Ishak told The Straits Times yesterday that walking on the Causeway - from both directions - was not permitted.

But Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said they were not aware of the rule and its officers do not stop people who opt to walk.

Mr Mohd Nasri said that although the law has come into use, it is not yet being enforced but they will do so soon.

He did not give a specific date when enforcement will begin.

Security, police and immigration officers at the Malaysian checkpoint verbally inform those who pass through the complex about the new ruling, he added.

Mr Mohd Nasri explained that as the new complex was built for security reasons, people are not allowed to walk in unless they arrived in a vehicle.

'The government doesn't want just anyone to walk into the building,' he said.

Mr Mohd Nasri also pointed out that the roads at the checkpoint were not designed for walking as they have no walkways. 'The public should realise that walking to the new complex is very dangerous,' he said.

Malaysia's ban on walking on the Causeway has resulted in many Malaysians being stranded at the Singapore checkpoint during massive jams along the Causeway, reported The Star newspaper earlier this week.

Prior to the ban, people were able to walk across to the old Malaysian checkpoint when there was a lack of buses during the peak periods. It took about 15 minutes to walk between the two sides.

However when the new checkpoint opened, people on the Malaysian side found they could not walk across, causing ugly scenes as people fought their way to board buses at the new CIQ complex.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.