JOHOR BARU: Discussions to reopen a shortcut as a third route for pedestrians to access the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (BSI CIQ) are ongoing, says a Johor executive councillor.
Works, transportation, infrastructure and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said a final decision on the matter has yet to be made owing to concerns about security.
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“We have brought the proposal to revive the shortcut to the special committee to tackle Causeway congestion.
“The feedback we received was regarding security concerns – that is the main challenge,” he said when asked for an update on the shortcut after an event here on Tuesday (Nov 5).
He added that discussions are ongoing with the Home Ministry and "we hope the matter can be concluded within the next few months."
The Star previously highlighted that pedestrians, including pregnant women and senior citizens, had asked for the shortcut near Hako Hotel along Jalan Lingkaran Dalam here to be reopened.
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The existing two access routes to the BSI CIQ are along Jalan Jim Quee and Jalan Tun Razak.
The shortcut, which was previously opened before the Covid-19 pandemic, made it easier for pedestrians to get to the BSI CIQ.
However, the Home Ministry closed the route during the pandemic for security reasons.
This forced pedestrians to walk about 1.5km around the building to enter the Immigration clearance area.
