JOHOR BARU: Malaysians working in Singapore who need to return home to vote in the upcoming state elections are hoping that their land border crossing will be a smooth one.
Environment services specialist Mohamad Ariffin Mohd Lawi, 30, said he was not expecting to see a huge surge of traffic at the two land crossings – the Causeway and the Second Link – as the elections would only involve six states this time.
“I believe the traffic will be smooth this time. The number of voters making their journey from Singapore to their respective hometowns will not be as many compared to the general election last year, which involved all Malaysians.
“Regardless, I hope that there will be measures undertaken to ensure smooth traffic not only at the border, but also along the North-South Expressway (NSE),” he said, adding that he was able to cross without much fuss, but ended up getting stuck along the NSE.
“Honestly, I am more concerned about the traffic on the highway as I remember being stuck from Mersing onward when I was heading back to Terengganu during the general election last year,” he said, adding that he had applied for leave to cast his vote.
Warehouse operator Jason Chan, 28, said he hoped all of the counters at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) would be open for at least a few days before polling day.
“I believe many people, including me, will be travelling back to their hometowns a day or two earlier to avoid being stuck in traffic at the highway.
“There may be some congestion at the border but I think it will not be that bad if all the counters are open. Of late, the congestion problem at the checkpoints has improved, and I hope this continues, especially during the election,” he said.
Meanwhile, Johor Works, Transportation and Infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said that the state government would come out with a plan to ensure smooth traffic at the two land crossings.
“We take note of these issues concerning the public and I will bring this matter up in the next task force meeting.
“For now, we do not have the data on the number of voters that are expected to travel from Singapore to vote in the six state elections.
“We will obtain the necessary information and come out with a plan to ensure everything goes smoothly,” he said.
He added that the multi-agency taskforce, which looks into issues involving the Causeway and Second Link, would meet at least once a month.
Polling day for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan is on Aug 12.
