‘Consider proposals to cut checkpoint congestion’
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor hopes the Federal Government will consider several of its proposals to minimise congestion at its checkpoints with Singapore, especially at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (BSI CIQ).
State Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri said the proposals, which the state has sent to Putrajaya, include building a dedicated 1.2km pedestrian walkway at the Johor Causeway.
Besides that, the state government is also hoping the Federal Government will look seriously into its suggestion to have a one-stop agency at the CIQ and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB) in the Second Link, he said.
“Having only one agency in charge of everything, including security, will make it easier for travellers,” he said on the sidelines of the state assembly sitting here yesterday.
He said the proposal would need to be discussed by the Malaysia and Singapore governments, but he did not see any issue as both countries have a good working relationship.He added that the state government welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government to solve congestion issues at the checkpoints.
Bernama reported that six short-term measures would be implemented to handle the congestion at the country’s checkpoints, especially at the BSI CIQ and KSAB.
The measures were decided at the meeting of the Cabinet committee to study a single agency at the national border and checkpoints, including ports, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Among the measures are the re-opening of the Malaysia Automated Clearance System at the KSAB on June 19, procurement tender for the Malaysia Automated Clearance System valued at RM9mil by December and mobilisation of officers from less congested counters to more congested ones.
Also decided on at the meeting was the opening of the contra lanes for cars, compulsory overtime shift (7am-8am) and the opening of all counters for MBike, it added.
“The meeting also agreed in principle that a study on a single agency to manage national border and checkpoints including ports should be held,” the statement said.
It said that the Home Ministry has been tasked with carrying out the study while the scope will cover three domains – land, air and sea – and the focus at this stage is on land.
The study will end by the middle of next year.
Source: TheStar
