Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg
The first man to touch Malaysian soil in Johor after crossing the reopened land borders on April 1, 2022 did so via the Singapore-Malaysia Causeway with just a foldable bicycle -- with tiny wheels.
Image from China Press Johor/Facebook.
On a foldable bicycle
Speaking to China Press Johor, the 46-year-old Malaysian man Ho Yang Guang rode across the Causeway on his silver and lime green foldie when the clock struck 12am.
Ho was the first to arrive on Malaysian soil. Image from China Press Johor/Facebook.
He decided to make the commute with his foldable bicycle as he said it was faster than other modes of transport, based on his previous Vaccinated Travel Lane (Land) experience during Chinese New Year 2022.
Ho was also a light traveller, with just a small black backpack in tow.
And he was not the only one who had this idea.
Two other man were seen with a foldie and an electric scooter.
Image from China Press Johor/Facebook.
Image from China Press Johor/Facebook.
Reopening of borders
April 1 marked the reopening of borders between Singapore and Malaysia.
The land link between both countries were closed for 745 days after Malaysia shut down its entry and exit points on March 18, 2020 in response to the then-evolving Covid-19 pandemic.
Those crossing the borders when they reopened did so by foot, motorcycles, or cars that formed long queues at various entry points at the Causeway as early as March 31 night.
More than 11,000 travellers
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on April 1 said more than 11,000 travellers have cleared the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints in the first seven hours of the reopening of the Singapore-Malaysia land borders.
ICA added that immigration clearance was smooth on the whole and there were no queues by 1am on April 1.
According to Mothership's ground reports, the entry into Malaysia by the Causeway Link bus was fast and fuss-free and took less than 30 minutes.
Image by Lauren Choo.
Image by Lauren Choo.
Image by Lauren Choo.
As of 8am on April 1, Mothership observed that there were also no queues at Woodlands checkpoint, and people arrived at the checkpoint in intervals, either by public buses or by private vehicles.
The Mothership team were also greeted with welcome packs at the Johor customs.
Landmark event greeted with cheers on both sides of border
The landmark event was celebrated on both sides of the border, where motorists cheered and honked when the gates opened at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Travellers who were crossing on foot ran across the Causeway, where one man shouted, "Malaysia, boleh."
The excitement was similarly spotted at Johor's customs, where travellers were filmed running towards immigration counters.
Video from Mothership.
Video from Mothership.
Across the pond, Malaysians camped at a spot that overlooked the land link, eagerly waiting for the first signs of traffic while fireworks were launched sporadically to mark the joyous event.
These Malaysians shouted their cheers and welcomes from the lookout point at travellers who made their way across the border.
Related stories
Follow and listen to our podcast here
Top image from China Press Johor/Facebook