Driving in Malaysia - please read

All, I just wanted to let you know and be careful when you are driving in JB/Malaysia. I was at Pulai Springs yesterday evening and after my golf, I left at about 7:30 pm which is just after dark. I use the back road, i.e. when you leave Pulai Springs main security gate, you turn right instead of left, because it is shorter and faster as there is less traffic compare to the main road.
Two bikes pass the back road and I notice that there was another 2 bikes were quite far behind, so I accelerate and turn right. I drove following the bikes which was rather slow. As we approach a junction, the light turn Red and they stopped, so did I. There were no other cars and the 2 bikes behind approach and one was to my left and the other to my right. The bike rider (on my right) next to me lifted up his tee shirt to show me a parang. In my mind I know it means I have been ambush and I told myself, what the heck, I will just bang the 4, run over them and make the dash away.
I guess God is looking out for me. A car approach from behind and a bus from the other junction – he must have send the angels to protect me. I horn non-stop and the bikers got pissed that they kick my car and rode off. BTW, the riders were young kids, probably 14 or 15 yrs old!
Friends, if you are travelling in JB/Malaysia, it is best to take the main road when it is dark or travel in 2 cars for safety. Also, after this personal experience, I really think ladies should think ten times before driving in on their own and be extra vigilant when you are driving alone or off the main road.

Boleh Land everything also Boleh~!~!~!

i never drove into malaysia before and i will never

and i always have a huge Jack knife in my car just in case for self defense..

That's JB for you.

It's pretty much common sense. If it's dark, don't be a hero. Stick to the main road. If you want to take short cuts into dark and dingy alleys, you're just inviting trouble.

Whatever happens, don't stop even if you're hit by another car. Once you stop and you leave the car, you're stuck. Drive to the main roads or busy areas. That way, there's a lot of outside attention which will likely deter these twats from bothering you.

And, by the way, it's not just in Malaysia. Wherever you travel, stick to the main roads. 'nuff said.

Also heard of stories before, when the driver comes out of the car to get the golf set in the boot... someone makes off with the car! so be sure to lock your car before going to the boot to retrieve your golf sets (although some prefer to lose the car than golf set since it might be easier to claim car insurance than golf insurance..haha).

@pakleow were you alone in the car?

pakleow wrote:

Friends, if you are travelling in JB/Malaysia, it is best to take the main road when it is dark or travel in 2 cars for safety. Also, after this personal experience, I really think ladies should think ten times before driving in on their own and be extra vigilant when you are driving alone or off the main road.

Narrow escape, bro...Your angels must be darned powerful! Good tip to avoid side roads, as Singapore car plates are like a "PLEASE ROB ME" sign...

pakleow wrote:

All, I just wanted to let you know and be careful when you are driving in JB/Malaysia. I was at Pulai Springs yesterday evening and after my golf, I left at about 7:30 pm which is just after dark. I use the back road, i.e. when you leave Pulai Springs main security gate, you turn right instead of left, because it is shorter and faster as there is less traffic compare to the main road.
Two bikes pass the back road and I notice that there was another 2 bikes were quite far behind, so I accelerate and turn right. I drove following the bikes which was rather slow. As we approach a junction, the light turn Red and they stopped, so did I. There were no other cars and the 2 bikes behind approach and one was to my left and the other to my right. The bike rider (on my right) next to me lifted up his tee shirt to show me a parang. In my mind I know it means I have been ambush and I told myself, what the heck, I will just bang the 4, run over them and make the dash away.
I guess God is looking out for me. A car approach from behind and a bus from the other junction – he must have send the angels to protect me. I horn non-stop and the bikers got pissed that they kick my car and rode off. BTW, the riders were young kids, probably 14 or 15 yrs old!
Friends, if you are travelling in JB/Malaysia, it is best to take the main road when it is dark or travel in 2 cars for safety. Also, after this personal experience, I really think ladies should think ten times before driving in on their own and be extra vigilant when you are driving alone or off the main road.

You are lucky. In any case, if they try to harm you, I would seriously suggest that you just ram them over. it may sound cruel, but I think when it comes to your own safety, take no chances.

Trio robbed at knifepoint in JB







TNP PICTURE: Benjamin Seetor
THEY were interested in property in JB and headed there on Monday night.

Mr Effande Mohamad Yashin, 30, a real estate agent, and a couple, who wanted to be known only as Mr Shah and Madam Emma, then had dinner with a Malaysian friend.

As they were about to head back to Singapore, four men wearing surgical masks and caps attacked the couple.

The men were armed with a long knife and a metal rod. They got away with Madam Emma's handbag, which contained her and Mr Shah's passport, ICs, credit and debit cards, cash and other items.

They would have also driven away with Mr Effande's Subaru Impreza if not for his quick thinking.

Wondering if it is still a good idea to drive to JB for golf???

Thank you for the tip, my buddy and I were contemplating this, now have second thoughts!

Dan5 wrote:

Wondering if it is still a good idea to drive to JB for golf???

there's always risk driving into JB..

for golf i think still ok, just like what other bros advice, avoid using the small roads... if you are travelling to the JB town side for food/shopping, the risk of getting the whole car stolen or the windscreen smashed is much higher..

anyway those ppl not only target the SG cars, MY plated are not spared either.. just pray not to be at the wrong place at the wrong time..

sigh... just when I am planning a trip there... guess may still go... just be careful...

Dan5 wrote:

Wondering if it is still a good idea to drive to JB for golf???

No, please don't go. The jam on the causeway is bad enough.

Thanx for sharing. For bros who plays often in JB, try to drive back to Sin immediately after game and shower (club house > Checkpoint). I know there are lots of nice food in JB that most bros like to stopover for, but this is definitely one of the few ways to reduce risk of getting into such unforeseen trouble.

Underdog wrote:

Thanx for sharing. For bros who plays often in JB, try to drive back to Sin immediately after game and shower (club house > Checkpoint). I know there are lots of nice food in JB that most bros like to stopover for, but this is definitely one of the few ways to reduce risk of getting into such unforeseen trouble.

Yeah, just for golf only, i tink it's fine.
I would golf & just head back after shower & lunch at clubhouse.
Highway all the way!

IMHO, it is alright to drive in MY, or any place on earth for that matter, but one must always exercise cautions and be alert to the surroundings. In all my years travelling up north, I always avoid secluded or rowdy places. Great food just doesn't tempt me to take risk! I would rather eat at the club or when back in Singapore.

I have friends who got real bad experiences. One had his car stolen and he parked it very near to the eating place in which he took glances often to make sure his car was still there. Unfortunately, it still got stolen. Another one was driving on the main road and at the junction just outside Ponderosa, a car cut into his lane and jammed brake. Out came two burly chinese guys with metal rods and demanded him to get off the car. He decided to take risk and rammed into the car before reversing and driving off. The guys then gave chase all the way and finally gave up when my friend reached JB Immigration at Woodlands. I shall leave it to your own imagination as to what would have happened if he didn't manage to get away.

Hi ppl, jus my 2 cents worth....
I have been travelling, shopping, holidaying in JB and parts of Msia for donkey years and have never met with any of the situations as many bros and sistas mentioned (touchwood) pardon me am not boosting but I always excerise caution in any and every aspect. I without fail carry a wedge by the driver side for emergancies. Arguement a weapon not weapon depends on opinion.

Occassionally stopped by hungry riders in white...bopian as travelling at speeds. Thumb of rule, be it in Msia or anywhere if your driving, alway make sure without fail you have a tank full of gas and know what is the mileage per liter. That way you will know how far on when you need to top up. At least you can still try to out run the situation given the opportunity.
Locking doors and never wind down any of the window is a must that I teach my son when overseas. Loosing the car and valuables are not as important as lossing ones life - car claims insurance, hassle but it would not lead to any bleeding.

Travelling at night - point A to point B, no short cut and side roads. That what I always do.

There are still good finds in JB and Msia, not all are bad, just wrong place wrong time.

These are my 2cents worth, hope it does not offend anyone here.

This is terrible..... How can this still exist in today's world? Taking a short cut is ones choice and rlevant especially its night time and one is rushing to be back

this topic will always ruffle a few nerves. the ones who drive often and or are malaysians think we complain or worry because we singaporeans drivers are useless and pampered. singaporean who get bad experiences say Malaysia is scary.

my view is that Singapore is the weird phenomenon. security and safety of property is taken for granted here. no where else is this a standard besides say japan. things work and we assume that this is the only way. really though. chaos and violence and corruption is more likely par for the course. anywhere else in the world.

we should appreciate the cautionary stories to remind us to be more careful not just up north but everywhere.

Yes, I was alone as my buddies were staying there for a few days. My advice is dont bother to eat there, it is really not worth. A personal experience really make me conciously aware. Hearing is one thing, personal experience is totally different - rest be assured.

Still in a flashback of the incident, and while going through the comments of the post, I think maybe what I am going to say will bring more reality. My other half is from Malaysia, Johor to be more exact and at one time I literally come in once or twice a week, so JB and Msia is not something new nor do I not know how to adapt. You may be driving here for years without any incident, like me, until one day....and you may not be as lucky, so do not take it for granted by a few rules - it make work most time not all the time. I see it like cancer, oh we know so many that get it, so issue lah, but one day , touch wood, if one get affected, that is when reality sets in.

This is 3 day of incident and I still have flashbacks...that's the impact. I have been through more serious and dangerous incident but no issue because you dont get traumatized by expected risk. So buddies, let just be more careful is what I am saying...

i used to drive to Msia v often (fishing, golf, food, massage, visit rellies shopping - at least once a week) for many years without incident until last year when my car (albeit parked in a secluded dark spot) got broken in within the short span of an hr when i was having dinner a street away from where i parked -- behind Pelangi Plaza in JB ... Just an opportunistic breakin via keyhole with screwdriver and somehow that managed to undo the locking mechanism and the thief stole what was in the backseat - golf duffel bag, icebox , some shopping etc.... Others like cash card, Touch n Go card untouched...

Lessons learnt - not to park in secluded spots (better park in shopping centre CPs w some security teature eg entry ticket) n install deterrants like a car alarm + battery kill remote switch.. i oso fixed a physical steering lock and front and rear videocams... Altho my experience was simply being the victim of a robbery, it also creates insecurity and sense of fear everytime i go in to Msia since... I can only empathize w pakleow that it can be a v intimidating n even traumatic experience esp when face-to-face with potential assailants as physical injury may result over and above losing valuables... best way is of course not presenting oneself in such a situation (for those who dont drive there) but like other bros like me who stillr eckons Msia BOLEH n its worthwhile to go there , its best to be prepared and ready to take strong action if neccessary like ramming them and getting the hell out of there... Having a GPS would definitely help so one doesnt get further lost when making a run for it!

All said it doesnt mean if a part of the sea is contaminated that the whole ocean is poisoned.... There are many helpful Msian motorists, bikers and passerbys there who will go out of the way to provide road assistance and render help to hapless Singapore cars/ passengers in the event of a breakdown or accident (even in remote parts) which I hv also experienced in my travels there so we need to take all into balance and move on and dont let such experiences spoil our golfing experiences

Having read all kind of precautions from past advices given here and elsewhere, I find it most effective to take certain protective deterent actions everytime I need to park my car for shopping or other business while in there.

1) I used a very visible steering lock

2) NEVER NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING IN THE BACK SEAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3) In shopping Centre parking lots, I always head in first and tuirned my steering wheel in a direction whereby no tow truck can lift my car without it colliding with the vehicles on my left or right when they are towing it from the rear. Hope you see the picture.

4) When I visit Holiday Inn Plaza, I never park at their car park. I ALWAYS pay a few dollars more by parking at Mutiara Hotel next door.

These are just some of the precautions I took and hopefully, these actions are sufficient. But when luck runs out, wrong time wrong place, god help me My frequencies of visits are at least twice a week. Touch wood , so far nothing happen or threaten me. MOST important is number (2). Never give them temptation.

titu

By the way, not only do not leave things at rear seats.
Also do not leave electronics like laptop in the boot.
I think these people have some scanning device to scan for electronics in boot.
My cousin laptop kena stolen though in the boot.