Deepavali Drag‑and‑Drop: Singapore‑Malaysia Border Turns Into a Human Tetris Game
With the Deepavali holidays just around the corner and a long weekend waiting, the chaos at the Singapore‑Malaysia checkpoint was nothing short of a multi‑hour blockbuster drama.
What Went Down
- Last night, a chain‑reaction video spiked on Facebook ⏰—the line to Johor Bahru was a full‑length roller coaster, crowded to the brim with commuters. Shouting, pushing, and a few odd out‑of‑character snatches of “happy holiday” captions.
- The ganged‑up queue fought its way through both the escalators and stairs, leaving travellers so tight‑packed that movemeing one’s arm was basically a sport.
- A sea of Malaysian immigration officials tried to dodge, stamp out the chaos, and keep the line moving—like the calm amidst stormy seas.
- Netizens bared their caps on the “Malaysia‑Singapore Border Crossers” group, smashing slogans: “Can’t follow instructions? Bunch of monkeys!” – the rest of the comments urged Malaysians to keep their sanity and stop following the “orangutan” trend.
On the Road
At 11 am, AsiaOne reported that traffic heading into Malaysia was still squeezing like sardines.
Tips for Next Time
- Grab a snack; the wait is endless.
- Stay calm—no one is turning into a real-life monkey if you simply keep your cool.
- Make sure your documents are in order; a sorted passport is the best ticket to a smoother ride.
So, if you’re planning a late‑holiday escapade, consider the scene: a queue that’s as tight as a pair of Herbal Tea bags, but remember—just keep your feet dry, your chaos on the side, and enjoy the holidays!
‘I just need to pee’
Singapore’s Deepavali Traffic: A Queue‑y Saga
Just when you thought Deepavali was all about lanterns and sweets, the traffic lights decided to throw a party of their own—an epic parking marathon that turned Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints into a “long‑line” phenomenon.
Buffer Bus Babies & The Great Stuck Car Show
- Funny story: A TikTok user named @buffbaby88 shared a clip of cars yawning over in Johor, stuck for a solid two hours. The caption was “I just need to pee man.” That video? Gone in a blink.
- Temasek Trust chairman Ho Ching channeled his frustration onto Facebook, echoing the jam’s woes.
Currency Chaos Fueled the Queue
Why did people stream to currency counters on the island? Because the Singapore dollar hit record highs versus the Malaysian ringgit—money changes became the new “safari.”
Pure (But not entirely) Podcast of People
ICA’s travel advisory had a feel‑good line: “Traffic flow has bounced back to about 80% of pre‑Covid levels.” It added that roughly 325,000 travelers slipped through the checkpoints each day during the weekend of Oct 14‑16.
ICA folks also mentioned a not‑so‑new fact: In 2019, back‑to‑back Deepavali weekend travelers had waited up to two whole hours at immigration.
Take‑no‑Pain Guidance
ICA says seriously, “Expect delays.” They suggest planning ahead and staying cool. When the car horns shout, just keep driving, obey lane rules, and do your best to cooperate with officers.
Because the truth is, commuters can’t possibly avoid the traffic chaos no matter how polite you are.
Wrap‑Up: It’s Just a Little Traffic
If you’re heading out for celebrations, map your route, start early, and keep your phone charged for updates. A little patience means we can keep the Malaysian ringgit & Singapore dollar in harmony—without the cars turning the road into a “stuck‑in‑time” zone.
