1996–2008
Troubled waters
Jul 5, 1996
Malaysia has big plans to demolish the Causeway and put up a bridge instead, said then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, suggesting the return to the
Johor Strait as a waterway. Ties between both countries became strained for the next few years
Jan 2, 1998
The Tuas Second Link opened for operations
Malaysian Chinese physician Foo Chee Voon and his wife were the first to enter Singapore via the Tuas checkpoint. photo: BT file
Jul 18, 1999
The new Woodlands Checkpoint, which cost more than S$400 million to build, began operations. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Singapore blamed each other for massive traffic congestion at the Causeway
Mar 1, 2002
Toll charges were raised at both checkpoints
May 2003
Relations became frosty again when Singapore barred the entry of a potential severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) case at Woodlands Checkpoint
PHOTO: BT FILE
Feb 2008
Fugitive Mas Selamat’s escape led to heightened security checks at the Causeway, resulting in massive jams
Dec 2008
To ease traffic congestion woes, the old Woodlands Checkpoint was reopened
while Malaysia built a new S$550 million checkpoint, Sultan Iskandar Complex,
in Johor Bahru
2020–2022
Pandemic woes
Mar 18, 2020
The pandemic struck and Malaysia’s movement control order kicked in. The Causeway shut normal operations
PHOTO: BT FILE
Nov 29, 2021
Quarantine-free travel was allowed at Woodlands Checkpoint for up to 2,880 travellers each day. Only citizens,
permanent residents or long-term pass holders of the country that they were entering were allowed
Dec 20, 2021
The scheme was expanded such that vaccinated Singapore citizens and Malaysians can now enter each other’s countries
Apr 1, 2022
Land borders fully reopened
PHOTO: BT FILE
2022 onwards
Border-crossing evolution
May 26, 2022
Singapore announced the expansion of the Woodlands Checkpoint
Dec 6, 2023
An hours-long power outage hit the Johor Bahru land checkpoint at midnight, causing heavy congestion and snaking queues at immigration counters
Jan 29, 2024
Singapore announced that the Woodlands Checkpoint expansion to five times its size will start work next year. It is anticipated to be fully operational by 2032
Mar 19, 2024
Singapore launched its QR code immigration clearance for travellers crossing either checkpoint in cars. While passports are no longer required here, they are still needed to clear immigration in Malaysia
Jun 1, 2024
Malaysia was due to conduct its proof of concept testing for a similar QR code clearance scheme, but it has since been delayed
Jun 14, 2024
A record of more than 530,000 travellers passed through both checkpoints, over the Hari Raya Haji long weekend
PHOTO: BT FILE
Oct 1, 2024
All foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia by land from Singapore will
require vehicle entry permits. Offenders can be fined up to RM2,000 (S$572) or jailed for
up to six months
BTVISUAL: JOANNA LUM, CHARMAINE MARTIN