Johor MB, Immigration brainstorm quick fixes for CIQ congestion

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi visiting the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine with the Immigration Department at 5.30am on Thursday (April 28).

JOHOR BARU: The Johor government and Immigration Department have come up with several immediate measures to curb traffic congestion at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex here.

They include all counters being fully operational during peak hours and rotation of staff shifts done outside of those times, said Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

The near-term solutions were discussed during his meeting with Immigration deputy director-general (Control) Datuk Ken Leben after the Mentri Besar visited BSI to check on the situation again on Friday (April 28).

“The merging of car lanes for zones A, B, C and D at BSI should be completed by July at the latest.

“Immigration should also sort out issues such as staff shortage and administrative matters related to overtime claims as soon as possible,” Onn Hafiz said in a Facebook post after his latest visit.

ALSO READ: ‘Causeway must be in top shape to welcome millions of people, vehicles’

Onn Hafiz, who is also Machap assemblyman, added that Immigration and the Public Works Department (JKR) should continue monitoring the concessionaire in charge of maintaining public amenities and assets at BSI and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ in Tanjung Kupang near the Second Link.

“I am confident that operations at the checkpoints will become more efficient to ease congestion and commuters’ daily journey to and from Singapore.

“I also heard the problems faced by the Immigration Department at the state and national levels. I believe our strategic partnership can solve the traffic congestion at the border between Johor and Singapore,” he added.

Onn Hafiz also visited BSI on April 19, and expressed his dissatisfaction that the level of efficiency there was not optimal.

He had said then that with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities drawing near, the Causeway – reputed to be the world’s busiest land border crossing – would be even busier with more people and vehicles travelling between Malaysia and Singapore.

During his working visit, he found some counters closed due to staffing issues.

ALSO READ: Johor MB orders CIQ exit lane to be cleaned following complaints on social media

He added that he gave instruction for all counters at BSI – whether for cars, motorcycles, bus passengers, or even pedestrians – to be open and functioning.

On Thursday (April 27), Onn Hafiz Ghazi also called for immediate action to address complaints on social media of foul-smelling water at the exit lane of the BSI CIQ.

“The state government listens to and understands the plight of all users and will continue taking action for the comfort and safety of the people," he said, adding that the dripping water came from a clogged sink and was not sewage.

Earlier, a Facebook user expressed disgust over foul-smelling at the exit lane, saying that the situation had persisted for weeks.