The Wang Kelian border crossing reopens with strict access limited to local residents as road repairs continue following major landslides.
KANGAR: The Wang Kelian Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) near Padang Besar has reopened after being closed since November 23.
State Secretary Datuk Rahimi Ismail said entry and exit controls are temporarily limited to residents of Kampung Wang Kelian only.
This follows a recommendation from the Public Works Department to temporarily close the Bukit Wang Kelian route.
Rahimi said the route to Wang Prachan, Thailand, will operate as a free flow to help local residents obtain daily supplies.
“For the time being, travel from Wang Prachan is only limited to Kampung Wang Kelian three-way intersection, which is before the SJR (Road Block) while travel to Wang Prachan is only open to residents of Kampung Wang Kelian,” he told reporters.
He said the opening resulted from discussions with the Malaysian Immigration Department in Perlis, the State Economic Planning Division and the National Security Council.
The discussions considered the requests of local residents and current needs.
Landslides occurred at eleven locations along the main route connecting Wang Kelian to Wang Prachan during floods in late November.
This caused the closure of the Wang Kelian ICQS Complex and the road leading to it.
Rahimi said the road to Wang Kelian has now opened with vehicle numbers controlled by the Public Works Department and police.
This is to avoid congestion and ensure safety as repair work continues.
“However, the entry of vehicles for emergency purposes is not an obstacle and is allowed at any time,” he said.
