Woman looking for driver who helped her at Johor Bahru Customs so she can thank him
A Singapore woman is hoping to track down a driver who helped her out of a difficult situation at the Johor Bahru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex on Sunday (4 Oct).
OP stuck at Malaysia checkpoint
In a TikTok post on Monday (5 Oct), @hannah.cyh said she was driving to Johor Bahru with her family at around 4.30pm the previous day, when she ran into problems with the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system.
“It was only my second time driving there,” the Original Poster (OP) said.
During her first trip, the system automatically deducted the VEP payment from her Touch ‘n Go account. Hence, she was unaware that she might need a physical Touch ‘n Go card if the VEP system failed.
Source: Wikipedia
On this occasion, the VEP machine could not read her car, leaving her stuck at the checkpoint.
The OP then got out of the car and approached other motorists, asking if she could borrow a Touch ‘n Go card to make payment. She also offered to PayNow them immediately.
However, the OP said she went from car to car without success, with some drivers telling her they did not have a physical card either.
Most drivers were unable to assist OP
“I was honestly feeling so helpless,” she said, adding that officers at the checkpoint did not provide her with a solution either.
Just when she was unsure what to do, a male driver called out to her and offered to let her use his card.
“Honestly, it felt like a little miracle at that moment,” she said.
After she managed to make the payment and get through, she returned the card to the driver. However, he was also stuck because the VEP machine could not read his vehicle.
Source: @hannah.cyh on TikTok
The OP said she tried to PayNow him, but he told her not to worry about it. With the checkpoint crowded and chaotic, they were unable to settle the payment.
Now, she is hoping social media can help reunite her with the kind stranger who was driving a white Subaru XV.
“I still remember his face, and I really hope I can find him,” she said, asking anyone who recognises the car to get in touch.
Source: www.touchngo.com.my for illustration purposes only
She said she simply wants to thank him properly and return the money she owes him.
“Thank you so much for helping a stranger when I was completely stuck. Your kindness really meant a lot to me,” she wrote.
Netizens praise driver for his kindness
A netizen urged everyone to “always choose kindness”.
Source: TikTok
A commenter also felt that “we should help each other in need”.
Source: TikTok
Another netizen also urged the OP to “pay it forward”, to which she agreed to do so.
Source: TikTok
OP did not expect a stranger to be so helpful
The OP, Hannah, 39, told MS News that she did not have a Touch ‘n Go card at that time.
“I thought that after registering for the VEP, the payment would be deducted automatically through the app,” the TikTok and Shopee live streamer said.
She added that she didn’t face any issues the last time she drove into Malaysia, so she did not have a physical card on standby.
Hannah also shared that the man helped her by providing “aroundRM20 (about S$6) to RM40 (about S$12.50)”.
“I honestly didn’t expect a stranger to step in and help me, especially when we were stuck at the customs,” she said.
Hoping to return the money to the driver
If Hannah could locate the driver, she would simply like to PayNow the money back to him.
Although the amount may not be significant, she feels it is important to return it and properly thank him for his kindness.
“More importantly, I would like to share this heartwarming story with others and remind people that there are still many kind and helpful people in this world,” she said.
She also added that she was unsure whether trying to locate the driver might inconvenience him, as she certainly did not want to disturb him.
“However, I would really like to PayNow the money back to him if he is comfortable with that,” she said.
Also read: Foreign-registered vehicles entering S’pore to pay higher VEP fees & ERP charges from 2027
Foreign-registered vehicles entering S’pore to pay higher VEP fees & ERP charges from 2027
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Featured image adapted from @hannah.cyh on TikTok & Wikipedia for illustration purposes only.
