Johor Traders Say Malaysians Commuting To Singapore Are Killing Their Business
Public parking in Johor suburbs is being monopolised daily by cross-border commuters, forcing traders to compete for space and customers.
Public parking spaces in Johor suburbs are being swamped daily by Malaysians commuting to work in Singapore, and it's not just an inconvenience, it's bleeding businesses dry, local traders say
As early as 5am on weekdays, hundreds of cars start rolling into Medan Nusa Perintis 2, Gelang Patah, and Perling. By sunrise, the parking bays, meant for public use, are fully occupied.
Most of the vehicles are left there until 8pm, according to traders on the ground.
In some cases, they're left for days, collecting dust, and parking tickets.
"The drivers only returned late in the evening. Some even questioned our right to trade here," a food vendor, who only wanted to be known as Emma, told the New Straits Times.
She runs her stall at a lot legally allocated by the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) in Perling, and found it blocked by a vehicle on the morning of Tuesday, 10 June.
At the Iskandar Malaysia Food Court in Gelang Patah, stall owner Mar Muhammad, 33, said the problem has been dragging on for over two years, and it's directly eating into their income.
"The cars come in as early as 5am and stay until 8pm. Some are left for weeks. Customers circle the area multiple times, give up, and leave. It is affecting our livelihoods," he said.
Mar said they've tried placing cones to reserve the lots, but workers often just remove them, sometimes even starting fights. Others have resorted to reporting the issue to MBIP, but say enforcement is lacking.
Some commuters even park in lots paid for by the traders
In Perling, Amirul Arshad, who works at a motorcycle shop, said even reserved parking bays, ones they pay for, are being blocked by these long-term parkers, reported the English daily.
"We've had to call in tow trucks just to carry on with our business," Amirul said.
Over in Jalan Lumba Kuda, business owners are also dealing with the same issue.
The area's close proximity to the CIQ complex and Johor Bahru city centre makes it a convenient launchpad for cross-border commuters heading into Singapore. But the parking chaos is becoming unsustainable.
Public parking lots packed with hundreds of vehicles belonging to Malaysians working in Singapore at Medan Nusa Perintis 2, Gelang Patah.
Image via Muhamad Najmi Nor'Azam/New Straits Times
Kota Iskandar assemblyperson Datuk Pandak Ahmad confirmed that the problem was brought up during a recent district coordination meeting
"A firmer mechanism is needed to prevent these spaces from being seized for such long durations," he said.
A proposal was floated to turn vacant land into a designated long-term parking site, but traders say they've seen no sign of it being implemented. For now, businesses are left to fend for themselves, placing cones, calling tow trucks, and hoping customers don't drive off in frustration.
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