All Johor checkpoint counters must remain open during Hari Raya, says Menteri Besar

Some two million people and vehicles are expected to travel between Malaysia and Singapore using the Causeway and Second Link throughout the Hari Raya period. ST FILE PHOTO

JOHOR BAHRU - All counters at Johor’s Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex must remain open without interruption in anticipation of a large volume of traffic between Malaysia and Singapore because of the Hari Raya celebrations, said Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

He said efficiency at the BSI complex was not up to his expectations and it was currently not operating at its maximum level.

“With the festive season getting nearer, the Causeway will be even busier in the next few days, with more people and vehicles travelling between Malaysia and Singapore for Hari Raya,” he said after his working visit to the BSI complex on Wednesday.

“From my observation, I can say that the level of efficiency is at 80 per cent.”

Datuk Onn Hafiz, who arrived at the complex at around 5.15am, said some two million people and vehicles are expected to travel between Malaysia and Singapore using the Causeway and Second Link throughout the Hari Raya period.

He extended an invitation to Immigration Department director-general Ruslin Jusoh to visit the BSI complex as soon as possible to find ways to increase its efficiency.

“During my inspection at the counters, some were closed due to staffing issues, while others had system problems pertaining to the Road Transport Department (JPJ). The JPJ concerns are expected to be addressed within a day or two,” he said.

“I have requested all counters, whether for cars, motorcycles, bus passengers or pedestrians, to be open and in working order. All the technical and staffing issues must be resolved fast.”

Mr Onn Hafiz said it was important for the immigration director-general to visit the complex.

“Among the issues is the welfare of the department personnel, who have been working hard and coping with the influx of people. I was told their overtime claims took a long time to process. I hope this can be resolved soonest,” he said.

He urged people using the two land checkpoints, particularly at the BSI complex, to be patient during Hari Raya because of the anticipated high traffic. “We are doing our best to help address the traffic issues at these two checkpoints.”

Earlier this week, Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said those heading for Malaysia over the Hari Raya weekend should expect heavy traffic at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from Thursday to Monday.

It advised those going by car or bus to factor in additional waiting time for immigration clearance.

On April 13, the Johor state government held a multi-agency task force coordination meeting involving the police, the Immigration and Customs Department, JPJ and the Land Public Transport Agency to address the festive traffic situation.

At the meeting, chaired by state works, transport and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, the decision was made to open all counters at both the BSI complex and Sultan Abu Bakar complex (KSAB) in Iskandar Puteri to cater to the high traffic volume.

At the BSI complex, there are 27 car lanes for immigration clearance for those entering Malaysia and 29 lanes for those exiting.

There are also 50 motorcycle lanes open on both sides during the festive period.

For pedestrians and bus passengers, 32 manual and automatic gate counters will be operational.

At KSAB, there are 24 car lanes each for vehicles entering and leaving Malaysia, 50 lanes on both sides for motorcycles; and for bus passengers, there are 12 auto-gate lanes for entering and leaving, in addition to 26 manual lanes. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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