JOHOR BARU: Commuters who enter Singapore to work daily are eagerly waiting for good news from the Federal Government that will allow them to take a much shorter route into Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (BSI CIQ) for immigration clearance.
Cafe cook Lee Zhi Jie said he currently had to walk some 1.5km around the complex daily to get to the BSI CIQ entrance, which was inconvenient as he knew there was a shorter route into the building.
The shortcut, which is near Hako Hotel along Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, should be reopened as it would make it easier for pedestrians to walk into the complex from there, he said.
“Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the shorter route was allowed and it took me about five minutes to reach the immigration counters from there.
“I read news reports that the Federal Government would look into reopening the route but there have been no updates so far.
“I hope the shortcut can be reopened soon,” the 28-year-old said when interviewed.
Another pedestrian, Nuramanina Samad, 33, is also hopeful the shortcut will be reopened, saying that it will save commuters a lot of time and energy.
“It takes me at least 20 minutes to reach the immigration clearance area via the long way.
“By the time I walk the long way to the complex, I am already hot and sweaty – and this is before I even start working.
“Currently, there are two entrances into the BSI CIQ and the roads leading to those entrances are quite congested due to the ongoing Rapid Transit System project,” she said, adding that the third route could also help to disperse traffic.
When contacted, Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen agreed that the Federal Government should reopen the shortcut as a proper and gazetted alternative route for pedestrians.
“The third route will benefit many pedestrians as currently, the BSI CIQ is only accessible by two legal entrances, located at Jalan Jim Quee and Jalan Tun Razak.
“I am all for the reopening of the shortcut, provided it has proper signage, pedestrian walkways and zebra crossings for the safety of pedestrians,” he said, noting that the BSI CIQ is located within his constituency.
On Sept 21, Johor works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh reportedly said the state would push for the reopening of a pedestrian shortcut to the CIQ, including facilitating a study to look into its feasibility.The Star previously highlighted that hundreds of pedestrians, including pregnant women and senior citizens, had asked for the shortcut to be reopened.
According to a BSI CIQ official, pedestrians were allowed access through the walkway, located near the lorry entrance, to enter the building for many years until the Home Ministry stopped it during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Sept 7, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it was seriously considering reopening the pedestrian shortcut.
On Aug 19, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi also said he supported the move to reopen the shortcut.
At least two major government agencies – the police and the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) – have voiced their support, with the council making plans to set up a bus stop nearby with shuttle services to prevent congestion.
