Gazette shortcut to CIQ as third entrance, says rep

Route near BSI Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex that previously served as a shortcut for pedestrians.

A pedestrian shortcut to Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in Johor Baru should be gazetted as a third entrance to cater to high demand, a state assemblyman is urging.

Andrew Chen Kah Eng (PH-Stulang) said the move could help disperse heavy traffic at the complex’s two existing entrances in Jalan Jim Quee and Jalan Tun Razak.

“The shortcut near the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) should be opened and gazetted as soon as possible.

“Related government agencies such as Home Ministry, National Security Council, police, Public Works Department and Johor Baru City Council should work together to make the shortcut legitimate.

Chen wants Tebrau Shuttle to continue, serve as a tourism product for Malaysia.

“Once gazetted, all security aspects including installing signage, traffic lights, road design and dividers can be done so that it will no longer be called a shortcut or laluan tikus,” he said during the debate session of the Johor state assembly sitting.

It was previously highlighted that thousands of pedestrians, including pregnant women and senior citizens, had asked for the shortcut, near Hako Hotel, to be reopened.

Pedestrians were previously allowed to use the shortcut but the Home Ministry closed it during the Covid-19 pandemic citing security concerns.

As such, pedestrians had to walk about 1.5km around the BSI building to enter the immigration clearance area.

Chen also put forward 10 suggestions related to cross-border travel at the Causeway and Second Link checkpoints.

One of the suggestions was calling for faster implementation of the QR code immigration clearance system as Singapore had started the initiative in April.

“The Pandan rest area along the EDL should also be reopened as a buffer to ease traffic congestion during peak periods as it is quite near BSI,” he said.

Chen added that KTMB Tebrau Shuttle, a rail service between Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore, should continue running even after the start of operations for the Rapid Transit System Link set for 2027.

“This provides an alternative mode of cross-border transportation to passengers.

“It can also be used as a tourism product for the country,” he added.