AKPS to study need for more vehicle scanners on lorry lanes
JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has been tasked with doing a study on the possibility of having more security scanners at the lorry lanes of the Second Link, says Johor exco Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh (pic).
This came about after truckers faced massive congestion at the checkpoint when heading to Singapore.
At present, the AKPS operates just one scanner at the export bay.
Two scanners are available at the import bays.
Singapore, on the other hand, has six scanners for lorries entering the island republic.
He explained that the present scanners at the land checkpoint of the Second Link were operating around the clock to prevent cross-border smuggling activities.
“The scanning is to ensure the goods (in the lorry) match the details given in the Customs declaration form,” he told The Star.
Mohamad Fazli, who is the state works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman, said the scanning of lorries had been conducted since the start of the Second Link in 1998. (Round-the-clock operating hours started last month.)
On Feb 13, The Star reported that some 3,000 lorries face traffic snarl each day, sometimes up to six hours, just to pass through the Second Link.
This is due to trucks being required to undergo checks at the export section of the checkpoint with only one scanner in operation.
Lorry drivers have also complained about having to park their vehicles at a holding area, then walk 500m to submit their documents at the Immigration and Customs complex, before getting back to their vehicles and drive through the scanner at the checkpoint.
According to Mohamad Fazli, not all lorries were required to park at the holding bay.
“For lorry drivers who have all their paperwork done, including having the relevant forms, they can go through the scanners directly without having to go to the holding bay,” he said.
But for those with incomplete paperwork, he said they should liaise with the forwarding or Customs agent to get the necessary clearance.
He also said that upgrading works would begin soon at the lorry checking counters.
