Singapore tour buses face restrictions in Malaysia, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke. While Singaporean tour buses are permitted to enter Malaysia, they are not allowed to operate as express services. This reciprocal arrangement allows Malaysian tour buses to operate in Singapore, with Singaporean tour buses able to transport tourists within Malaysia. Minister Loke emphasized that tour buses are beneficial to Malaysia's tourism industry, and their entry is not prohibited. However, he also stated that express bus services from Singapore are not permitted due to the lack of a legal category for express buses in Singapore's system, which only recognizes tour and scheduled buses. This decision aims to protect local operators and prevent them from being disadvantaged by Singaporean express bus services. The issue was raised by opposition Member of Parliament Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, who expressed concerns about the lack of inspections and adherence to local safety standards for some Singaporean tour buses operating in Malaysia. Mr. Loke assured that the government will not consider permits for Singaporean express buses to maintain a fair and safe transportation environment.
