Businesses across the Causeway have seen a drop in customers from Singapore by up to 30 per cent this year-end — atypical for the holiday season — according to reports.However, some of these Johor Bahru (JB) businesses have cited reasons other than the stronger ringgit for the dip, according to Shin Min Daily News.The ringgit has appreciated against the Singapore dollar in recent months, with one Singapore dollar now buying RM3.17. It was above RM3.30 for most of 2025, The Straits Times reported.On Dec 5, Malaysian publication The Star reported that Johor business owners have seen noticeably fewer Singapore patrons, with the holiday season being unusually quiet this year.Some blamed the decrease in Singapore patrons on the less favourable currency exchange rate, along with the unpredictable weather. The crowd from Singapore is missing, even on weekends. This is probably the worst year-end crowd we have seen since the Covid-19 pandemic, business operator Robin Jian was quoted by The Star as saying.
Sunday 18 January 2026
asiaone - 1 month ago
JB businesses report up to 30% fall in Singapore customers, cite 3 main causes
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