Walking to S’pore as semester begins

New normal: Travelling on foot across the Causeway was a common sight after Covid-19 restrictions began.

JOHOR BARU: Malaysians studying at Singapore universities are expected to walk across the Causeway over the next few weeks as the universities resume their semester this month.

National University of Singapore (NUS) student Ivan Chong will be returning to Singapore tomorrow as his semester starts that day.

“A majority of my friends have decided to go back to Singapore at a later date and continue with online classes or defer their semester until the border reopens.

“This is because we have to pay about S$1,000 (RM3,000) to be quarantined for two weeks in Singapore before being allowed to go back to class, ” the 20-year-old said, adding that he would only know more details about the quarantine, such as the venue, by tomorrow.

“Most of the classes will still be conducted online, and only classes with a maximum of 50 people are allowed.

“I have decided to go back as I do not want to miss out on classes or assignments, ” said Chong.

Since the movement control order was enforced, no vehicles other than lorries were allowed to cross the Singapore-Malaysia border, he said.

“Hence, we will have to walk across the Causeway for 1km, bringing along our luggage.

“This is the second time I am walking. The first time was when I returned to Johor Baru after Singapore announced its circuit breaker, ” he said.

Eugene Chong, 19, who will also be starting his semester at NUS tomorrow, said he looked forward to the next phase of his student life despite the circumstances.

“This will be my first semester at the university. Instead of having my parents around, I will have to go there on my own and carry my own luggage across the Causeway.

“It may not be ideal, but I have no other choice, ” said Chong, who had paid S$1,500 (RM4,500) for his two-week quarantine before starting classes again.

“I am unsure when I can come back to visit my parents once I leave Malaysia, ” he said.

Meanwhile, Nanyang Technological University student Justin Seow, 25, said some of his classmates would also be coming back this month.

“I decided to remain in Singapore and will only return to Johor Baru when the border reopens completely.

“Most of my classmates who are now in Malaysia have decided to remain there for the time being, but some will walk across the Causeway to return this month, ” he said.

Seow hopes that Malaysia and Singapore can provide shuttle service for those who really need to cross the border, especially students.

Since both countries imposed travel restrictions, many people have been seen walking across the Causeway with bags.