Johor CIQ needs to be 100% efficient ahead of Raya exodus, says MB

JOHOR BARU: With Hari Raya Aidilfitri just a couple of days away, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has expressed dissatisfaction on the efficiency shown at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, which is currently not at a maximum level.

He said with the festive season getting nearer, the Causeway, which is known as the world’s busiest land border crossing, would be even busier with more people and vehicles travelling between Malaysia and Singapore for Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

“I just carried out my working visit at BSI and I can say that the efficiency level is not at 100% yet. It is now at 80%,” he said after carrying out inspection at BSI here during the wee hours today.

Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap assemblyman, added that the state government was expecting two million people and vehicles to travel between Malaysia and Singapore via the Causeway throughout the Hari Raya period.

He extended an invitation to Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh to visit BSI as soon as possible to help find ways in increasing its efficiency level.

“During my working visit at the counters, some were closed due to staffing issues while some have system problem pertaining to Road Transport Department, which is expected to be fixed within one or two days.

“I have asked that all counters at BSI either for cars, motorcycles, bus passengers, and even pedestrians to be open and in working order. I want all the technical and manpower issues to be resolve by then."

Onn Hafiz said this was why it was important for the newly appointed Immigration Department director-general to visit BSI and see for himself the issues facing here and get his commitment in resolving it.

“Among the issues is the welfare of the department personnel who have been working hard and coping with the influx of people coming and going through BSI.

“I’ve been told that their overtime claims took a long time to process and I do hope that this issue can be solved immediately,” he added.