14-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) A seemingly innocuous placard has ignited a firestorm of reactions, serving as a catalyst for cross-border banter and highlighting the delicate balance between humor and sensitivities. The placard, affixed to the side window of a vehicle, bears a cheeky message: “Please do not break my window again. This car has already been broken into. There is nothing to steal.”
The photograph, shared on the popular SGKaypoh Facebook page on May 5, struck a chord with netizens across the causeway. The caption accompanying the image suggested that Singaporean vehicles entering Malaysia might benefit from such a precautionary measure, eliciting a torrent of over 1,800 reactions and 1,700 comments.
While some Singaporean commenters found the placard’s humor entertaining, with one acknowledging it as “just for fun” and another lauding it as “good,” their Malaysian counterparts were less amused by the implied jab at their nation’s security.
One Malaysian commenter fired back with a sarcastic retort, suggesting that petrol stations in Johor Bahru might also require similar signage to deter Singaporean drivers from illegally fueling up their vehicles with the government-subsidized RON95 petrol, which is strictly reserved for Malaysian-registered vehicles.
The tongue-in-cheek placard’s ripples extended beyond the virtual realm, drawing the attention of local law enforcement authorities. Johor Bahru South OCPD Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat dismissed the post as “mischievous” and far removed from reality, asserting that the sentiment expressed on the placard does not accurately reflect the security situation in the city.
“The post is quite mischievous. Police are always committed to ensuring the safety of all, including Singaporeans who come here,” Raub Selamat told The Star, underscoring the authorities’ dedication to maintaining a secure environment for all visitors and residents alike.
Raub Selamat further emphasized the sheer volume of Singapore-registered vehicles that enter Johor on a daily basis, with an average of 250,000 cars crossing the border. He posited that if all of these vehicles had their windows smashed, local police stations would be inundated with queues of people lodging reports – a scenario that clearly does not align with the current reality.
While acknowledging the occasional occurrence of isolated incidents involving car break-ins, the OCPD was quick to point out that Malaysian vehicles are also targeted by car thieves, highlighting the fact that this issue transcends national boundaries and vehicle registrations.
The placard’s message, though intended as a light-hearted jest, has inadvertently touched a nerve, sparking a defensive response from Malaysian authorities and prompting a broader discussion on the safety and security concerns faced by cross-border travelers.
