Sultan Abu Bakar Complex CIQ in dire need of upgrade

GELANG PATAH: The Second Link checkpoint needs a structure review plan due to increased traffic volume, said Johor Women Development and Tourism committee chairperson Liow Cai Tung.
She said this after visiting the Immigration Department at Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB), and the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex near Tanjung Kupang here.
Liow said the Second Link checkpoint was planned to cater for 10 million visitors per-year, 20 years ago. But the department expects 50 million visitors to come through the checkpoint this year.
A restructuring plan at the federal level is much needed for a long-term solution according to Liow.
"We need a structure review plan, and we also learn from other countries, such as Singapore, to have only one agency which coordinates other agencies who work at the CIQ."
She said a solution was also needed for the massive traffic jam problem.
Liow said a massive jam occurred on Wednesday night at the Second Link CIQ, adding that it might be due to lorries using the lanes for other vehicles, and also because there was only one scanner to inspect lorries.
She also proposed for mobile toilets to be set up at the bus entry checking station.
Liow said currently there is only one scanner for bus passengers.
"It is a bottleneck problem and we need more scanners," she said.
There are about 167 immigration counters at the Second Link CIQ.
According to Immigration statistics, 8.9 million visitors exited the Second Link CIQ, with 8.7 million incoming visitors for the first five months of the year.
Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Rohaizi Bahari, Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi and Perling assemblyman Cheo Yee How were also present during today's working visit.