JOHOR BARU: Several measures – both short- and long – will be undertaken to improve the situation at the Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex, says Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
The short-term measures include placing speed breakers along car lanes and putting up information about the procedures of entry to Malaysia at all immigration counters, while the Immigration Department will post all entry procedures on its official Facebook page.
“We also encourage people to download the Beat The Jam app to enable them to plan their trips to reduce congestion at the Johor Causeway,” he posted on Facebook yesterday.
He added that the Public Works Department would also monitor all maintenance being carried out by the concessionaire at BSI.
As for long-term measures, Onn Hafiz said Immigration and Road Transport Department counters would be merged, while there is a plan for motorcycle lanes to maximise the number of vehicle lanes at BSI.
“The Public Works Department is tasked with coming up with the new plan,” he said, adding that he also met with state Immigration director Baharuddin Tahir and top leaders from the department at his official residence.
Onn Hafiz said the meeting also discussed those trying to sneak in or out of the country, maintenance of the building and assets, and having a systematic numbering system for those applying for passports.
Also present at the discussion were state public works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Fazli Salleh and Johor Public Works director Abu Bakar Abd Aziz.
The Star had previously highlighted that BSI, one of the busiest checkpoints in the country, has been plagued with complaints about its facilities, which were old and needed urgent upgrading.
Many people felt that the escalators, Immigration autogates and security at and around the complex need sprucing up now that the international borders have reopened.
