Estimated 100 buses and 5,000 people affected by JB checkpoint blockade

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More than 100 buses were affected by the massive jam at Johor checkpoint early on Friday (Aug 1) morning. Most were ferrying Malaysians who work in Singapore.

According to bus companies Channel NewsAsia spoke to, things started unfolding at around 4am.

They said four buses had stopped at the Johor checkpoint, and the drivers refused to continue their journey into Singapore. This was apparently in protest against the increase in toll fares that kicked in on Friday.

At around 5am, the authorities arrived on the scene to negotiate with the drivers. Malaysian media reports said bus drivers were persuaded to end their strike after local authorities promised a review of increased toll rates within a week.

However, the standoff had already caused a massive buildup. By 6am, some buses had decided to detour to the Second Link.

At 8.15am, the situation had abated and traffic flow was back to normal. It is estimated that over 100 buses and 5,000 people were affected by the checkpoint blockade.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian authorities said action will be taken against the drivers involved in today's incident, although it refused to call it a "strike". Malaysian laws state that those guilty of illegal strikes face a one-year jail term or a fine, or both.

This protest over the toll is not related to Malaysia's proposed plan to impose the Vehicle Entry Permit on Singaporean-registered vehicles entering Johor. According to Malaysian newspaper reports, the Malaysian government had mooted the toll back in 2011, but put it on hold due to the General Election held that year.