Forum: Targeted regulations better than blanket ban for cross-border transport services

I am concerned about the recent enforcement actions against Malaysian private drivers providing cross-border services (

S’pore, Malaysia operators still provide cross-border transport for businesses despite risks

, Oct 6).

This issue affects many Singaporean families, elderly commuters, business travellers and tourists who rely regularly on practical, safe and affordable cross-border transport.

For many, hiring a Malaysian driver is the most practical way to move around Johor Bahru. These trips naturally conclude with the driver returning passengers home to Singapore. To penalise drivers for this incidental return leg is disproportionate and impractical.

Forcing passengers to alight at fixed checkpoints or stops far from their intended destinations, often with heavy luggage, shopping bags, young children or elderly family members in tow, is inconvenient and also unreasonable.

When incidental drop-offs are lumped together with illegal domestic operations under a blanket restriction, consumers lose and cross-border mobility suffers.

Malaysian drivers serve a different market, providing day-long travel within Johor Bahru, which Singapore drivers neither offer nor can legally provide.

Excluding Malaysian drivers does not redirect demand to Singapore drivers; it merely leaves consumers underserved. Consumers pay more and suffer greater inconvenience, while local drivers gain no real benefit.

A more balanced approach is possible.

Instead of blanket prohibitions, regulations should be targeted: Allow incidental cross-border drop-offs where journeys originate or end in Malaysia, but continue to prohibit Malaysian drivers from offering point-to-point services within Singapore.

At the same time, reciprocal arrangements could be put in place for Singapore drivers in Malaysia, ensuring fairness and mutual respect.

Singapore has always been admired for its pragmatic governance. A recalibrated, evidence-based policy that distinguishes between incidental cross-border journeys and unlawful domestic operations would better protect local interests while also safeguarding consumer welfare. That, ultimately, is the balance we should be striving for.

Zan Johan