Singaporean rants on TikTok about clash with immigration officers after detainment at Johor checkpoint for filming in restricted area
JOHOR BARU, Sept 8 — A 36-year-old Singaporean woman was detained for several days at the Johor Baru checkpoint after she failed to present her travel documents and filmed in a restricted area.
The Star reported that Atalia Chua, the detained individual, clashed with immigration officers on August 7.
According to security sources, Chua, who had not visited Malaysia in years, directed abusive language at an immigration officer at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI). Despite being told to stop filming, Chua continued and used vulgar language when informed she would be detained for further investigation.
The confrontation began when Chua attempted to queue at a closed counter, where an officer was assisting an elderly person. Ignoring instructions that the counter was closed, she persisted and filmed the interaction, leading to her detention.
Chua, who later posted a video on TikTok detailing her ordeal, claimed she was held for seven days and experienced harassment, including pressure to sign documents in Malay. Her video, which has garnered over 80,000 views, shows her accusing the officers of verbal abuse and threats.
Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat confirmed to The Star that a police report was filed, but the exact duration of Chua's detention remains unclear. Chua, who has previously written for the South China Morning Post, was released after her brother contacted Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The incident has generated mixed reactions online, with some expressing sympathy for Chua while others question her conduct and whether she was rude to the officers.
