Local actor Hossan Leong has called on the government to find more practical solutions for cross-border private hire services, putting forward four suggestions. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Seow responded that the authorities understand there are still unmet needs and will hold discussions with Malaysia.
In a LinkedIn post on Saturday (Aug 23), Leong highlighted that many small business owners, professionals, and families with children studying or elderly parents in Johor Bahru and Singapore need to travel frequently between both sides. For people like him who live in Johor Bahru but commute to Singapore for work, daily cross-border travel is a necessity rather than a choice.
He pointed out that the Land Transport Authority’s recent enforcement against cross-border private hire cars has badly disrupted what he called a “delicate ecosystem.” He stressed that this is not just a transport issue but also an economic and social one.
For those unaware, the enforcement came after complaints that illegal cross-border drivers were undercutting licensed operators and posing safety risks to commuters. As such, a trilateral workgroup has been formed by the Government, following a call by the labour movement to tackle the issue of foreigners illegally doing delivery work here.
“Our platform workers are vulnerable, as they face a variety of challenges in making a living. It is not right that they suffer from reduced earnings due to competition from illegal workers. That is why I am calling for a trilateral workgroup to address this issue and other challenges that our platform workers face. Our platform workers must be treated fairly as they make an honest living,” NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said as the formation of a new trilateral group was announced on 4 July.
Calls the current transport model out-of-date
Leong added that the current point-to-point cross-border taxi service is unrealistic for many people, calling it an “out-of-date transport model.” While he understands that private hire services involve legal and insurance risks, he urged the authorities to focus on solving the problem.
Leong’s four suggestions are:
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Introduce a regulated permit system for licensed cross-border ride-hailing services, ensuring safety and compliance.
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Dedicated cross-border transport lanes or zones to streamline immigration and customs for authorised vehicles.
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Collaborative platforms between Singapore and Malaysia for better integration of PHV regulations and operations.
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Stakeholder consultations involving SMEs, family users, and PHV operators to develop long-term sustainable solutions.
Leong ended his post saying,
“This isn’t just a transport issue — it’s an economic and social one. Let’s work towards a balanced approach that ensures security, supports livelihoods, and sustains the strong ties between Singapore and Johor Bahru.”
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Seow responds
Jeffrey Seow replied to his post, thanking Leong for the feedback.
In his reply, he wrote,
“I recognise there is an unmet need and we are discussing with the Malaysians how to do something that is legitimate and serves the interests of both Singaporean commuters like you, as well as our taxi and PHV drivers.”
He stressed that any cross-border arrangement must be agreed upon by both countries and comply with their laws, which will take time to negotiate. He added that the public will be updated on the progress.
According to Malaysia’s news source, Johor’s State Transport, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the Johor state government has already submitted proposals to Malaysia’s Transport Ministry, including adding more taxi pick-up and drop-off points, and called for talks with Singapore.
He noted that the initial discussions cover plans to add five new locations for cross-border pick-up and drop-off, and hopes that taxis from both countries will eventually be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers anywhere in Johor or Singapore.
Netizens are not happy with Hossan Leong’s suggestions
The post triggered strong reactions online, with many netizens voicing their disagreement.
Translation: “Actually, pirate taxi services have been around for a long time, the government just turned a blind eye. How did the situation reach this stage? Pirate taxi groups, have you reflected on how blatant you’ve become? Your fleets are growing, cutting queues, even picking up passengers at the airport like you’re official taxis. You’ve disrupted local order and income.
Don’t keep saying that Singapore doesn’t care about you, pirate taxi drivers. Honestly, ask yourselves: do you ever care about Singaporeans? Or are you only thinking about Singapore dollars? Don’t use moral blackmail to play the pity card. Haven’t you seen the shameless attitude of pirate taxi drivers at the checkpoint when accidents happen with Singaporeans? It’s like “what can you do to me?” That’s pure rogue behaviour.
When Singaporeans go to Malaysia, they’re not happy and complain that we pump your cheap petrol. But when you want to come to Singapore to earn money, you expect to be welcomed? People should treat each other with mutual respect. Put yourself in others’ shoes. Don’t just think about your own benefit, and don’t say things that only serve your own convenience.
As an artiste, every word you say carries social responsibility. Hossan, you can also take the bus across the checkpoint just like all the other daily commuters. Why must it be pirate taxis? And if you want to live in Johor Bahru, then just buy your own car. It’s very convenient 😉.
It’s impossible for one person’s convenience to come at the expense of the majority’s livelihood. Minister, when you make a decision, you really have to think carefully. Otherwise, in the end, you’ll end up pleasing no one.”
Translation: “There are about 60,000 private hire drivers in Singapore relying on this to survive. Why should we accommodate Malaysians’ living costs? If the minister doesn’t care about the lives of Singaporeans, then he should step down.”
Translation: “At the end of the day, this guy just wants to live cheaply in Malaysia, without spending money to maintain his own car and driver to travel between the two countries, and without using public transport or walking across the border, while relying on these illegal drivers to ferry him back and forth. He wants to have it all, big and small!
We must remember that Singapore is Singapore, Malaysia is Malaysia. Sixty years ago they were already two completely different countries. While there are inseparable links in terms of people-to-people ties and culture, there are still huge differences in laws, transport, and even exchange rates. To try to set up a regulated and licensed cross-border private hire service system and unify cross-border regulations under such differences is pure fantasy. What’s more, the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS is already under full construction and expected to open by the end of next year, which will allow more people to travel quickly between the two countries. To raise these so-called calls for “unification” at this point is simply unnecessary nonsense.
His claim that “almost every day commuting is a must, not a choice” is just his personal choice and self-declared necessity. Nobody is holding a gun to his head as a Singaporean to force him to live in Johor and travel daily. Suggesting a dedicated lane is nothing more than an extremely selfish personal idea! Does he think he is the President or the Sultan?
Our Acting Transport Minister really doesn’t need to specially respond just to please these so-called “celebrities.” If this guy truly has the ability, then let him take a private jet, helicopter, or own a car with a driver. If he doesn’t, then he should drive himself or use public transport to cross the border. It’s that simple. The more complicated things get, the more unmanageable it will become, and everyone will pay the price. One must know that once bilateral regulations are set, it is not as easy to reverse them as amending laws within one’s own country. I urge LTA to think thrice before making any decision!”
Translation: “Is that artiste even Singaporean? I don’t think so, otherwise he wouldn’t just be thinking about his own convenience, not thinking about Singaporean drivers’ rice bowls, or the fact that those uninsured, unlicensed pirate taxis could cause accidents on the road! Minister, are you looking after Singaporeans, or thinking about Malaysians like him? Otherwise I’ll keep my votes at home, and tell my constituency not to vote for you anymore.”
Translation: “Singaporeans have always been rational. Our government should first protect the livelihood of our local drivers, there’s no need to prioritise Malaysians. Current traffic arrangements are already complete. If Malaysians want to earn money here, they should spend here too. If they want convenience, maybe stay and work in Malaysia.
For Singaporeans, the current facilities already meet the needs of those who shop or eat in Malaysia. As for pirate taxis, their behaviour is problematic, legalising them would just be feeding the tiger.
The government’s stance is clear and wise, they won’t simply accept Malaysia’s demands.
RTS will be ready soon, no need for another RTS line. Not everyone crosses the border every day, the real beneficiaries are still Singaporeans working here. Everyone sees this clearly.”
Translation: “Earn in Singapore dollars, spend in Malaysian ringgit, sit in illegal pirate taxis and still want the Singapore government to specially open a lane for you.”
Translation: “Accomplice, selfish and self-centred, only thinking about his own convenience.”
Translation: “Doesn’t his suggestion sound like something a traitor would say?”
Translation: “Actually this is just for his own convenience, not caring about Singaporeans who need these jobs to survive. Traitor!”
Translation: “He lives in Johor Bahru, what does he know”
For now, Hossan Leong’s suggestions have clearly struck a nerve, with many Singaporeans feeling he is prioritising his own convenience over the livelihoods of local drivers.
With both governments set to continue their discussions, the public will just have to wait and see what solutions emerge for cross-border travel.
