Something needs to be done about those Singapore-Johor Causeway jams

IT was not a pleasant sight - a photo of a woman defecating on the roadside of the Johor-Singapore Causeway, her modesty shielded only by a male companion squatting behind her.

The incident, the photo of which was posted on social media, took place during a particularly busy period between Christmas and New Year's Day, when some people complained that it took them five hours to cross from Singapore to Johor Bahru. Thankfully, the picture was taken from the back and the couple were not identifiable. If anything positive should come out of this, it is the hope that the disturbing image will spur the Malaysia and Singapore authorities into doing something more for the tens of thousands of people who traverse between Johor and Singapore daily.

Singapore is famed for its efficiency in clearing inbound and outbound travellers and cargo, and regularly wins international accolades for having the best seaport and airport in the world. Yet our land border crossings have a Third World feel, accentuated by scores of ill-disciplined and impatient motorists who jump queue with no regard for the lack of traffic enforcement on the roads between the checkpoints.