JB car wash operators say 'unfair' after business declines amid govt clampdown over prioritising Singapore-registered cars

One bad apple spoils the barrel — and these car wash operators are coming clean with how they feel about it.

Some car wash operators in Johor Bahru (JB) have cried foul after facing a boycott and government clampdown, The New Straits Times reported on Wednesday (July 30).

The backlash comes after allegations that some car wash operators in JB serve only Singaporean customers and shun Malaysians, inciting ire among locals and scrutiny from the government.

Speaking with the Malaysian publication, Rana Sheikh Ali, a supervisor at one of the affected car washes, denied the allegations.

The 46-year-old explained that most car washes, particularly the smaller establishments, attend to all customers equally.

He added: "It's unfair to lump all operators together because of a few 'premium' car washes that turn away locals, especially on weekends and holidays."

Rana also revealed to The New Straits Times that their business has declined significantly since.

According to him, Malaysian cars make up about 60 per cent of the 50 to 70 cars they wash per day on weekends, but they now only service fewer than 10 Malaysian cars a day.

He also urged members of the public to not summarily punish all car wash operators based on a few bad actors.

"We are just trying to make a living. If this continues, many workers here will lose their jobs."

Action will be taken if operators fail to comply: Johor Bahru City Council

The apparent boycott comes on top of the Johor Bahru City Council's recent reclassification of car washes in JB as high-risk businesses due to issues with cleanliness and maintenance, damage to public roads and foreign workers' documentations, Sinar Harian reported.

"They will now be subject to increased scrutiny, including mandatory worker registration and infrastructure inspections," mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said.

"If they fail to comply with the conditions set, action will be taken in accordance with existing laws and regulations. In addition, their licenses will not be renewed," he added.

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khooyihang@asiaone.com