Faster clearance at land checkpoints now, says Johor MB

JOHOR BARU: The government's move to improve conditions at the two land checkpoints with Singapore has resulted in faster clearance for travellers, says the Johor Mentri Besar.

Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic) said the clearance process at the checkpoints had reduced from an hour to about 30 minutes especially during peak hours.

"While this is good, we will continue to work with our partners in Putrajaya to improve the situation further," he said during his speech at the Johor-Korea Business Forum here on Wednesday (May 17).

Onn Hafiz, who has made almost 20 spot checks at the Bangunan Sultan Islandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex here since last year, said improving connectivity with Singapore was of paramount importance.

"This will be a continuous effort," he said, adding that the two land crossings with Singapore were the busiest in the world with workers commuting between both countries from 4am every day.

In welcoming investments from South Korea, Onn Hafiz said the state government would take note of the issues raised including potholes, Internet connectivity and flooding.

"I hope to address the pothole issues on our roads by next year," he said, while inviting more South Korean companies to set up operations in the state.

He added that Malaysia's Look East Policy introduced 40 years ago had paid off especially with its "role model" countries like South Korea, Japan and China becoming economic powerhouses with global clout.