JOHOR BARU: Police have initiated investigations against those responsible for blocking traffic at the Sultan Iskandar Building's Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex here on August 1.
Johor Baru Selatan deputy police chief II Mohd Nadzir Ghulam Kadir said police had opened investigation papers under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 as well as issuing more than 100 summons under the Road Transport Act 1987 for obstructing traffic.
"We (police) took immediate action as role was to ensure that the roads were clear and public order was maintained," he said at the Johor Baru Selatan police headquarters here today.
Mohd Nadzir said police were fair in taking action and rebutted an online news report claiming police did not take action and merely advised the bus drivers.
"I assure the public that police are investigating all possible angles that led to the incident at the CIQ on that day," he said, adding that police will forward the investigative papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.
On August 1, a chaotic situation ensued when prevented hundreds of factory buses, stage buses, express buses and tour coaches from entering the CIQ.
It is learnt the two factory bus drivers were not happy about the toll hike which came into effect at midnight today.
The drama unfolded at about 4am and became worse by 5.30am when Malaysians working in Singapore began arriving at the complex via other stage buses and express buses.
It is learnt that the police had questioned the two factory bus drivers on the motive behind staging the protest.
As a result of the two drivers action, thousands of Malaysians working in the republic had to walk across the Causeway to get to work in Singapore as the bus lanes were choked with hundreds of buses.
The services of hundreds of cross-border stage buses, express buses and tour coaches were also affected as a result of the chaos.
The new toll rates for vehicles coming into Malaysia start from RM9.70. For outbound vehicles, the toll rates start from RM6.80.
Formerly, only inbound vehicles were charged with a RM2.90 toll.