Tuas Checkpoint

Bus from Singapore to Johor Bahru

16 October 2019travelingpersecond

“Squirrel which cleverly jumped finally also can fall too“…. Oh, Donny is that squirrel.

Yesss….that night, I was kicked out of Changi International Airport terminal 2…Niceeee….My passport was marked by Aviation Securitty….God.

Since 2014, playing cat and mouse role with Singapore airport police. Now, the cat was caught when sleeping behind a waiting chair in terminal 2 of Changi International Airport … Embarrassing.

4 hours before incident.…

The “gray with orange star” airline with flight number 3K206 landed me in Terminal 1-Changi International Airport on 12:30 hours.

Because Changi Airport MRT station is in Terminal 2 and will operate on 5:30am, I decided to move to Terminal 2.

I finally prayed and then rest in prayer room until 02:00am. But coldness of air conditioner forced me to move to a row of waiting seat in front of passenger lounge. My assumption that airport police had finished patrol in this area was wrong.

Amid my dream, airport security who guarded by two young armed policeman and soldier woke me up. Ahhhh….I was understood….I finally caught after 4 years always avoid them.

Airport security: “Helo Sir, Can me see your passport and ticket?”

Me: (while handing in a passport) “Good night Sir, I’m sorry before. I am waiting for first train to downtown. I just arrived 3 hours ago.”

Airport security: “Sorry, How long do you will stay in Singapore?”.

Me: “3 Days 2 Night, Sir”.

Airport security: “This hall is only for transit passengers. You can’t wait the train here. Let me take you to immigration counter”….(Click….Oh, my passport was captured with his camera. It was sent to their boss via whatsapp…. Hmmh, I’ve been tagged at Changi …. If I was caught once again, it will be a serious problem….hahaha.).

Because I came into immigration counter with armed soldier, Indian descent immigration officer became bitchy and angry to me when she stamped my passport ….Oh God, more angry then her face became more sexy like “Kajol” (beautiful Indian artist)….Hihihi.

2 hours can’t sleep….Yes, floor after immigration counter isn’t carpeted. How could I sleep while sitting on hard bench like that?.

In midst of sleepiness (it was because on noon, I worked full time in Bandung. And in afternoon, I directly went to Soekarno Hatta International Airport….cool yes, my home in Jakarta, working in Bandung on noon, and in night I was in Singapore….Hahaha), I decided to eat halal-certified noodles in this restaurant:

Located near exit gate after immigration counter of terminal 2 .

Waow….Please focus to the theme, Donny!

—-****—-

Let’s focus on the theme.…

That time, The final destination of my 7th visit to Singapore was Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Why did I go from “Lion Country”?…yes of course, the cost will be cheaper.

After eating noodles in the morning, I hurried to MRT platform in Changi Station. By buying a ticket for USD 1,9 on an automatic machine, I headed for Jurong East Station with 70 minutes travel time.

Why must be Jurong East Station?….Because this is a place where CW3/CW4 bus shelter which will go to Johor Bahru via Tuas Checkpoint which is the land border of Singapore and Malaysia.

I forced myself to hold pee because of toilet smell behind Jurong East Station crowd. Understandably, this station is integrated with bus terminal to various regions in Singapore and even out of Singapore.

After buying a bus ticket at counter, I immediately entered a queue and waited for bus to arrive. And finally, I got a CW3 bus which came 5 minutes later.

Orderly waiting in line according to the path.

I chose a back seat so I could freely take photos during trip.

Bus continued to move towards Tuas Checkpoint via AYE Toll Road. Singapore’s streets smoothness made bus arrived at Tuas Checkpoint in just 30 minutes.

I deliberately chose queue line which guarded by Malay descent female officers for easy immigration checks (because I am Malay descent too). As a result, the immigration process at the border became very smooth.

After passing the immigration counter, I immediately headed to the bus waiting area that will take me to the Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang CIQ (Customs Immigration Quarantine) which is a Malaysian immigration building.

I didn’t need to find bus which I boarded before because as long as a ticket was still saved, I could continue my journey with another CW bus with similar destination.

Sea view along Second Link Expressway which connects Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

The next journey begins. Second Link Expressway condition from Johor Bahru to Tuas Checkpoint was severely jammed during work hours at that time. On other side, the road from Tuas Checkpoint to CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang was fluent.

very fluent in my side vs jammed in other side.

And in 15 minutes, I arrived at CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang. There weren’t serious checking during immigration process and finally I was able to get through it quickly.

After stamping my passport, it means that the continued journey using CW3 bus has finished.

Immigration stamp when entering Malaysia via CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang Immigration offfice and immigration stamp when exit from Malaysia via Sultan Iskandar Immigration Building.

I tried to find a bus with a route from CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang to Legoland. Luckily, there were a lot of Indian descent bus driver asking to me about my destination. After talk with them, I was shown CW7 bus which passes through Legoland on its official route.

Playing lego in Legoland ????….Like me.

Easy to get a bus ticket from Singapore to Johor Bahru or vice versa. Just try to ordering via travel e-commerce in 12Go or https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Bus dari Singapura ke Johor Bahru

30 August 2019travelingpersecond

Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat akhirnya jatuh juga….Dasar Donny si tupai.

Yesss….malam itu guwe di usir dari terminal 2 Changi International Airport….Aseeeeekkkkkkkk….pasport ditandai….yuhuuuu.

Sejak 2014, selalu kucing-kucingan dengan polisi bandara Singapura. Kini si kucing ketangkep basah sedang tidur di balik sebuah kursi tunggu di terminal 2 Changi International Airport….Memalukan.

4 jam sebelum kejadian….

Maskapai “abu-abu bintang orange” dengan nomor penerbangan 3K206 mengantarkanku ke Terminal 1 Changi International Airport pada 00:30.

Karena stasiun MRT Changi Airport berada di Terminal 2 dan baru akan beroperasi pada jam 5:30, maka kuputuskan untuk berpindah ke Terminal 2.

Akhirnya bersembahyang dan sekaligus beristirahat di dalam prayer room hingga pukul 02:00. Tapi dinginnya AC memaksaku berpindah ke deretan kursi di depan ruang tunggu penumpang. Asumsiku bahwa polisi sudah selesai menyisir area itu ternyata salah besar.

Ditengah mimpi, airport security berpengawal dua polisi belia bersenjata laras panjang membangunkanku. Ahhhh….guwe faham….Njiirrr, ketangkep juga setelah 4 tahun kucing-kucingan perihal beginian .

Airport security: “Helo Sir, Can me see your passport and ticket?”

Guwe: (sambil menyerahkan passport) “Good night Sir, I’m sorry before. I am waiting for first train to downtown. I just arrived 3 hours ago.”

Airport security: “Sorry, How long do you will stay in Singapore?”.

Guwe: “3 Days 2 Night, Sir”.

Airport security: “This hall is only for transit passengers. You can’t wait the train here. Let me take you to immigration counter”….(Cekrek….Syem, passportku difoto. Dikirim pula ke boss nya via wa….Hmmh, Aku sudah ditandai di Changi….ketengkep sekali lagi pasti masalah….hahaha).

Karena diantar tentara, petugas imigrasi wanita keturunan India itu pun menjadi judes dan marah-marah kepadaku ketika mengecap passport….semakin marah wajahnya makin seksi kek Kajol….hihihi.

2 jam ga bisa merem….lah iya, lantai setelah konter imigrasi kan tak berkarpet. Mana mungkin tidur sambil duduk di bangku keras kek gitu.

Di tengah kantuk yang sangat (itu karena siang hari sebelum berangkat, Aku kerja full di Bandung dan sorenya langsung ke Soekarno Hatta International Airport….gile ye, rumah di Jakarta, siang kerja di Bandung besoknya sudah ngelayap aja di Singapura….hahaha), kuputuskan untuk menyantap mie bersertifikat halal di kedai ini:

Terletak tepat di *exit gate* setelah konter imigrasi terminal 2.

Halah….malah nulis ga keruan.

—-****—-

Yuk ah fokus ke tema….

Tujuan akhir kedatanganku yang ke-7 di Singapura kali ini adalah Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Kenapa lewat “Negeri Singa”?….ya tentu akan lebih murah costnya.

Selepas menyantap mie pagi itu, Aku bergegas menuju platform MRT di Changi Station. Dengan membeli tiket seharga Rp. 26.000 di mesin otomatis, Aku menuju Stasiun Jurong East dengan waktu tempuh 70 menit.

Kenapa Stasiun Jurong East?….Karena disinilah letak shelter bus CW3/CW4 tujuan Johor Bahru via Tuas Checkpoint yang merupakan perbatasan darat di selatan Singapura dan Malaysia.

Terpaksa menahan pipis karena bau pesing toilet dibalik keramaian Stasiun Jurong East. Maklum stasiun ini terintegrasi dengan terminal bus menuju berbagai daerah di Singapura dan bahkan keluar Singapura.

Setelah membeli tiket bus di konter, Aku segera memasuki jalur antrian dan menunggu kedatangan bus. Dan akhirnya Aku kebagian bus CW3 yang datang 5 menit kemudian.

Aku memilih bangku paling belakang supaya leluasa mengambil foto selama perjalanan.

Bus terus bergerak menuju Tuas Checkpoint melalui AYE Toll Road. Lancarnya jalanan Singapura, membuat bus tiba di Tuas Checkpoint hanya dalam waktu 30 menit.

Aku sengaja memilih jalur antrian yang dijaga petugas wanita keturunan Melayu untuk memudahkan pemeriksaan imigrasi. Alhasil proses perpindahan antar negara di perbatasan menjadi lancar.

Setelah melewati konter imigrasi, Aku segera menuju ke tempat menunggu bus yang akan mengantarkanku ke CIQ (Customs Immigration Quarantine) Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang yang merupakan bangunan imigrasi milik Malaysia.

Aku tak perlu mencari bus yang kutumpangi sebelumnya karena selama tiket masih tersimpan, Aku bisa meneruskan perjalanan dengan bus CW yang lain dengan tujuan yang sama.

Pemandangan laut sepanjang *Second Link Expressway* yang merupakan penghubung Singapura dan Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Perjalanan selanjutnya pun dimulai. Kondisi Second Link Expressway dari arah Johor Bahru menuju Tuas Checkpoint macet parah di jam berangkat kerja kala itu. Sebaliknya, jalanan yang meninggalkan Tuas Checkpoint menuju CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang kosong melompong.

Kosong di jalurku vs penuh di jalur sebelah.

Dan hanya dalam 15 menit, Aku tiba di CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang. Tak ada pemeriksaan serius selama proses imigrasi dan akhirnya Aku bisa dengan cepat melewatinya.

Selepas mengecap passport, berarti perjalanan lanjutan menggunakan bus CW3 sudah selesai.

Stempel masuk Malaysia via Imigrasi CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang dan stempel keluar Malaysia via Imigrasi Bangunan Sultan Iskandar.

Aku pun perlu mencari bus dari CIQ Sultan Abu Bakar Tanjung Kupang menuju Legoland. Beruntung banyak pengendara bus keturunan India yang menanyakan tujuanku. Sehingga Aku ditunjukkan bus CW7 yang melewati Legoland dalam rute resminya.

Main lego di Legoland????……kek guweh.

Mudah mendapatkan tiket bus dari Singapura ke Johor Bahru atau sebaliknya?. Cobain aja pesan via e-commerce perjalanan 12Go atau https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Tuas Checkpoint Vs Woodlands Checkpoint, Singapore

8 December 20181 July 2019travelingpersecond

My heart began to pounded when “Malay Woman” closed my passport. “Follow our staff to office”, yup I got random checking. My habit when entering Singapore immigration is always choosing queue line that is handled by Malay descendants. I just feel comfortable. But at that time, the facts are different … hehehe

Passed through the special lane, I was directed to 2nd floor of Woodlands Immigration. I had to stand outside because of full inspection inside until the Indian descent staff gave a sign for me to entered the room but still stood.

At that time I deliberately entered Johor Bahru through Tuas Immigration and left it through Woodlands Immigration. So I could know the difference of both.

Actually I didn’t scared as I imagined because I’ve experienced more severe random checking at Busan Immigration. The female officer only asked me: my flight ticket to home, hotel booking, where did I work and who was my travelmate (for this case, I deliberately prepared my business card and ID Card). After that I was asked to waited and then I was investigated by another younger officer. He only asked how much money that I brought. And last I must headed to another officer for fingerprinting and passport stamps.

My passport was placed on a small passport rack, 5 minutes later a young policeman arrived and only took 10 passports from it and called every name of passport holders, I was one of them. I was taken with 9 other tourists to elevator. Actually elevator was only enough for 10 people, I just realized why the young policeman just called 10 names.

After getting off the elevator I immediately waited for Causeway link 2 (CW2) bus to entering Singapore. CW2 bus that took me to Woodlands Immigration from Johor Baru have departed because it might not wait for me to be investigated. But I didn’t worry because I could catch other CW2 with my pass ticket to went to final destination on Queen Street, Bugis.

“Zanky” was very happy when entering Singapore

Observing two borders, it can be seen that Tuas border is slightly easier and didn’t crowded. When I crossed out to Johor Bahru on a day before, it was clear that many people quickly entered Singapore without queuing. Also according to a JPO2 bus driver (route bus for Mall of Medini to Johor Premium Outlet), if you want to easily and quickly enter Singapore it is recommended through Tuas Checkpoint.

Tuas Checkpoint Situation

For You who intend to try the two checkpoints, be prepare to enrich your traveling experience and just enjoy every process that will occur. If you get random checking, then facing calmly and of course you will be mastery on facing many problems when you are going abroad.

Tuas Checkpoint Vs Woodlands Checkpoint, Singapura

31 October 20181 July 2019travelingpersecond

Tak dipungkiri hatiku mulai berdebar ketika “Wanita Melayu” itu menutup pasporku. “Follow our staff to Office”, yup random checking. Kebiasaanku ketika memasuki imigrasi Singapura adalah selalu memilih jalur antrian yang dihandle oleh petugas keturunan Melayu. Aku merasa nyaman saja. Tetapi kali ini faktanya berbeda….hehehe

Memasuki jalur khusus, Aku diarahkan ke lantai 2 Imigrasi Woodlands. Aku harus berdiri di luar ruangan karena penuhnya pemeriksaan hingga lelaki keturunan India itu memberikan isyarat untuk masuk kedalam tapi tetap berdiri.

Waktu itu Aku sengaja memasuki Johor Bahru melalui Imigrasi Tuas dan meninggalkannya melalui Imigrasi Woodlands. Dengan begitu Aku bisa merasakan perbedaan kedua pos imigrasi itu.

Peta Tuas dan Woodlands

Sebetulnya Aku tidak setakut yang dibayangkan karena Aku pernah mengalami hal yang lebih parah di Imigrasi Busan (Lihat tulisanku: Ketatnya Imigrasi Busan). Opsir perempuan hanya menanyaiku : tiket pesawat pulang, menginap dimana, kerja dimana, jalan sama siapa, dan kerja dimana (untuk hal ini aku sengaja siapkan business card dan KTP). Setelah itu Aku diminta menunggu dan dipanggil kembali oleh opsir lain yang lebih muda, Dia hanya menanyakan bawa uang berapa. Karena uang yang kubawa difikirnya cukup barulah aku dipanggil ke opsir lain untuk pengambilan sidik jari dan stempel paspor.

Paspor kemudian diletakkan di rak paspor kecil, ternyata 5 menit kemudian ada polisi muda datang dan hanya mengambil 10 paspor saja dari rak itu lalu menyebut nama-nama pemilik paspor, Aku salah satunya. Dibawalah Aku bersama 9 turis lain menuju lift. Ternyata lift memang hanya cukup untuk 10 orang, aku baru ngeh kenapa polisi muda itu Cuma panggil 10 nama.

Selepas turun dari lift Aku segera menunggu bus Causeway link 2 (CW2) untuk memasuki Singapura. Bus CW2 yang membawaku masuk Woodlands Immigration dari Johor Baru tentu sudah ngacir duluan karena ga mungkin menunggu Aku diperiksa. Tapi Aku tak perlu khawatir karena bebas naik CW2 manapun untuk menuju tujuan akhir di Queen Street, Bugis.

IMG_20170708_081815
“Si Zanky” sumringah memasuki Singapura

Melihat kedua perbatasan, terlihat bahwa perbatasan Tuas sedikit lebih longgar dan tidak crowded. Ketika Aku melintas keluar menuju Johor Bahru sehari sebelumnya terlihat jelas banyak orang memasuki Singapore dengan cepat tanpa antrian. Pun menurut driver bus JPO2 (jurusan Mall of Medini-Johor Premium Outlet), kalau mau mudah dan cepat memasuki Singapore disarankan melalui Tuas Checkpoint.

suasana tuas checkpoint

Suasana Tuas Checkpoint

Buat Kamu yang berniat mencoba kedua checkpoint itu maka bersiaplah memperkaya pengalaman traveling Kamu dan nikmati saja setiap proses yang akan terjadi. Apabila mendapat random checking maka hadapi dengan tenang dan tentu Kamu akan semakin mahir menghadapi setiap masalah ketika berada di negeri orang.