Adli Hakimi, a 26‑year‑old nurse, says the biggest hurdle for Johor’s state election is not the ballot box but the Johor‑Singapore Causeway. Like many “SGD fighters”—Malaysian workers earning Singapore dollars—the nurse is balancing work shifts, leave requests, and inevitable border congestion ahead of polling day on July 11. Malaysia’s authorities face the added pressure of preventing immigration delays and traffic snarls that could deter these cross‑border voters from casting their ballots in one of the country’s most pivotal electoral contests.
Adli, who is registered to vote in Tiram, has already secured leave for election day after spending roughly three years working in Singapore’s healthcare sector. He now opts for a daily motorcycle commute, having tried “all modes of transport” to navigate the border efficiently.
“On weekends, public transport will definitely get you stuck in traffic,” he noted, highlighting the regular gridlock that threatens timely travel.
While commending the state government for its support of Malaysians employed in Singapore, Adli pointed to the sight of workers walking along the bridge as a reminder of the need for a safer, dedicated pedestrian crossing.
