ISKANDAR PUTERI: The staff at Johor's entry points will just have to get used to his spot checks until commuters’ pain points are addressed, says Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He said fixing the many legacy issues continuing to "haunt" commuters trumps the unhappiness some have over his presence and surprise visits.
“I know many are uncomfortable with my visits at the main entry points, but I will not stop until the issues are solved,” he said at the state assembly in Kota Iskandar here on Monday (May 13).
He said the Federal Government is mulling proposals to improve traffic flow at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) customs, immigration and quarantine complex near the Causeway, including increasing the number of motorcycle lanes to 44.
“There was also a proposal to increase the number of KTMB coaches at JB Sentral from four to five. Once approved, the train service could carry an additional 2,480 cross-border travelers each day.
“Besides that, a proposal to increase the number of motorcycle lanes at the Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar checkpoint near the Second Link to 33 lanes is also being looked into,” Onn Hafiz said.
He added that QR code immigration clearance for bus passengers and motorcyclists was among the suggested measures to tackle congestion at the two land checkpoints.
Liew Chin Tong (PH-Perling) and Liow Cai Tung (PH-Johor Jaya) had asked about the state government’s role in easing cross-border travel, and the QR code implementation.
Onn Hafiz added that matters concerning cross-border travel are actually under the Federal Government’s jurisdiction but the state government was part of a special committee set up to tackle congestion issues.
“I am also in constant communication with the Prime Minister and Home Minister about the daily congestion happening at our border,” he added.
He noted that several measures have been put in place to ease cross-border travel including activating contra-flow inbound lanes and merging Immigration and road charge payment counters to save up to 20 seconds of clearance time per vehicle.
The implementation of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, which allows travelers from 11 countries to use autogate facilities when entering and exiting the country, has also helped to ease congestion, he added.
When opening the state assembly on Thursday (May 9), Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said he wanted the issues and shortcomings at the Causeway and Second Link resolved without compromise.
