CUSTOMS areas in Johor Bahru were filled with long queues and confused Singaporeans on Sunday, about 48 hours after Malaysia began requiring all visitors to fill out embarkation cards.

Most people who spoke to the Straits Times said the requirement, which came into effect last Friday, has led to longer waits for visitors travelling across the Causeway.

Early last month, Malaysia announced all visitors would have to fill out white immigration cards with information such as their name, nationality and passport number.

The news came just seven months after Malaysia scrapped the forms and replaced them with a paper-less system that saw customs officers simply stamp the passports of travellers. The country has not revealed the reasons behind decision to reinstate the cards.

Most Singaporeans interviewed, especially frequent Johor Bahru visitors, said the reversal has been bewildering.

Read the full report in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.