The Works Ministry has denied that a nearly three-hour jam at the Johor Bahru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) centre early this morning was the result of a protest against the new toll rates.

Only two bus drivers refused to pay the higher rate, the ministry's Johor office said in a statement to clarify news reports of the jam caused by bus divers heading for Singapore.

News reports later said the matter was resolved through police intervention and distribution of pre-paid cards, free of charge.

"What happened was a small commotion that was caused by the refusal of two bus drivers to pay the toll at the CIQ. The government views the incident seriously and stern action in line with the law will be taken against the irresponsible bus drivers," the statement said.

It added that it was mostly a smooth run at the CIQ, even after the nearly five-fold increase in the toll rates after midnight.

A Channel News Asia report, quoting a source from a highway concessionaire, said the bus drivers who refused to pay the new rate received the free Touch ’n Go cards.  

It said some 1,000 Touch ’n Go cards worth RM10 each were distributed to “early bird users” at the Johor checkpoint.

The Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) last week announced the new toll charges for vehicles heading into Singapore - RM6.80, RM10.20, RM13.60, RM3.40 and RM5.50 for Class 1 to Class 5 vehicles, respectively. Only motorcyclists are exempted. This is a 470 percent increase.

The Works Ministry also said officers from the MHA, the North-South Expressway operator (Plus) and the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) concessionaire Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd would now stand watch at the toll gates to ensure that traffic congestion is eased.