JOHOR BARU: The holding bay at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) near the Second Link crossing should be reactivated to help ease traffic congestion, says Segamat MP R. Yuneswaran.
He said the holding bay, which has been left unused at KSAB, has contributed to the already congested traffic situation at the border crossing, while also making it difficult for the Immigration Department and Customs Department in carrying out their duties.
“The government should pay attention to the increase in lorry traffic at the checkpoint, especially when around 2,500 to 3,000 heavy vehicles pass through KSAB daily.
“The heavy traffic has caused daily peak-hour congestion and the lorry drivers are forced to sit for hours in the jam to wait for customs clearance for their shipments.
“Such issues caused unnecessary stress to the lorry drivers as well as the staff from the Immigration Department and Customs Department.
“It also does not reflect Malaysia’s position as a trade-friendly nation,” he said in a statement on Thursday (May 25).
Yuneswaran urged the Home Ministry and the Public Works Department to look into the issues and upgrade the roads and infrastructure at KSAB to help ease the traffic congestion there.
Besides the Federal Government, the Immigration and Customs Departments should look at the matter seriously, he said.
“However, it takes two to tango; the issue of traffic congestion at the border crossing will not be entirely resolved without cooperation from Singapore to make the Second Link an economic bridge between both countries,” he added.
