Working visit: Onn Hafiz (second from right) holding a discussion with Immigration Department officers at the BSI Complex here yesterday.
JOHOR BARU: All counters at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex must remain open without interruption in anticipation of a large volume of traffic between Malaysia and Singapore as a result of Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
The Mentri Besar said efficiency at the BSI Complex was not up to his expectations and was currently not operating at its maximum level.
“With the festive season getting nearer, the Causeway will be even busier in the next few days, with more people and vehicles travelling between Malaysia and Singapore for Hari Raya.
“From my observation, I can say that the level of efficiency is at 80%,” he said when met after his working visit to the BSI Complex yesterday.
Onn Hafiz, who arrived at around 5.15am, said they expected some two million people and vehicles to travel between Malaysia and Singapore using the Causeway and Second Link throughout the Hari Raya period.
He extended an invitation to Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh to visit the BSI Complex as soon as possible to find ways to increase its efficiency level.
“During my inspection at the counters, some were closed due to staffing issues, while others had system problems pertaining to the Road Transport Department (JPJ). The JPJ concerns are expected to be addressed within one or two days.
“I have requested for all counters, whether for cars, motorcycles, bus passengers or pedestrians, to be open and in working order.
“All the technical and staffing issues must be resolved fast.”
Onn Hafiz also said it was important for the Immigration director-general to visit the BSI Complex.
“Among the issues is the welfare of the department personnel, who have been working hard and coping with the influx of people.
“I was told their overtime claims took a long time to process. I hope this can be resolved soonest,” he said.
Onn Hafiz also urged travellers using the two land checkpoints, particularly at the BSI Complex, to be patient during Hari Raya because of the anticipated traffic.
“We are doing our best to help address the traffic issues at these two checkpoints,” he said.
On April 13, the state government held a multi-agency task force coordination meeting involving the police, Immigration and Customs, JPJ and Land Public Transport Agency to address the festive traffic situation.
The meeting, which was chaired by state works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, decided to open all counters at both the BSI Complex and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Iskandar Puteri to cater to the high traffic volume.
At the BSI Complex, there are 27 car lanes for immigration clearance entering Malaysia and another 29 lanes for those exiting.
There are also 50 motorcycle lanes open on both sides during the festive period.
For pedestrians and bus passengers, 32 manual and automatic gate counters will be operational.
At KSAB, there are 24 car lanes each for vehicles entering and leaving Malaysia, 50 lanes on both sides for motorcycles, and for bus passengers, there are 12 auto-gate lanes for entering and leaving, in addition to 26 manual lanes.
