A new row is brewing between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore after 97 Malaysians working in the city state were arrested for allegedly using fake medical certificates to take sick leave. Malaysian media have suggested Singapore's laws are tough for what Malaysians regard as a minor offence and reported that the workers had been sacked by their employer and then driven in a factory bus to a police station, where some of them were handcuffed. A woman released on bail said the Malaysians had been told the bus would take them to the Singapore-Malaysia border. Other workers said they had been treated like common criminals. Another 300 Malaysians are reportedly under investigation for using forged medical certificates, which a Malaysian syndicate is said to be selling in Johore, the state adjoining Singapore, for M$28 (HK$52) each. The arrested Malaysians worked for Seagate Technology International, a manufacturer of computer discs. The firm became suspicious over the number of certificates apparently issued by a Johore hospital and discovered none of the doctors' names were genuine. One woman bought her medical certificate from a taxi driver. 'One of my children fell sick and my emergency leave was not approved. I had no choice,' she said.
