TWO individuals have claimed that police officers at the Johor Bahru immigration checkpoint demanded an exorbitant fine for using an “unauthorised lane” which they were allegedly instructed to use.
In a Facebook post on MY SG Road Trip - Your Malaysia Road Trip Guide, a user named Irene Teo alleged that the police opened the left lane - meant for the lorries - for her car to drive on along with another car in front of them with a Singaporean license plate.
Irene and her travel companion found themselves on a deserted spot near the checkpoint along with the other car that was ahead of them.
In her recount of events, a police officer called his colleague over radio. Another policeman arrived soon after and asked Irene and her companion when they last used the route to head to Singapore.
“We explained that a policeman opened the lane where the lorries were driving, allowing us to drive on and we did not know that it would lead us to the unauthorised counters.
“We immediately felt unsafe and knew the policemen were in cahoots,” the post read.
Irene added in her post that both drivers were told to produce their license and passports and in return, he would offer assistance to allow them to continue their journey.
However, Irene was “fined” a hefty RM600 since she drove on an “unauthorised lane”, according to the policeman’s explanation.
“He asked us for RM600 but we only had RM500 with us. He said he will do us a favour and that RM500 is okay too,” she explained.
Netizens advised Irene to lodge an official complaint to the higher authorities about the incident.
Another account posted on the same Facebook page from Sage, said that several other cars followed the policeman’s lead to the “unauthorised lane”. However, according to the post, only Sage’s and Irene’s car were the only ones left.
In her post, she said she argued with the policeman “for a long time” about paying the fine and only managed to get her boyfriend’s driving license back after giving the officer RM100.
“If not, he’s going to continue holding on to our license and repeat the same thing ‘(There are many cars behind you). I have no choice (but) to give you a ticket, (do) you want to pay ‘there’?” she alleged.
Sage also provided the dashcam footage from her car showing the two cars driven to a lonely area and made to hand their personal documents and the alleged “fine.”
ALSO READ: M’sian driver banned from Singapore after cutting queue and fleeing officers
