THE federal government has been actively pursuing several efforts to address congestion at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, including adding the motorcycle and e-gate lanes, Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said.

He said Putrajaya also merged counters for car lanes, thus expediting the process of checking passports and others.

“In terms of congestion at CIQ, we are all aware this… has been around for decades.

“However, this does not hamper the determination of the state and federal governments to work together and ensure this issue can be resolved as soon as possible,” he said in an oral question-and-answer session at the Johor assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar, today.

The Machap assemblyman said by expanding the use of the e-gate system, Singaporeans can also use the facility.

As for the additional motorcycle (M-Bike) lanes, Onn Hafiz said 25 lanes will be added to the existing 50.

“The Immigration Department is fine-tuning the additional M-Bike lanes so that this matter can be activated as soon as possible. In terms of the merging of counters, for example, at Johor Causeway, we are preparing four zones.

“Currently, motorists have to stop twice to clear their passports and Touch ‘n Go. After this, motorists will only have to make one stop,” he said.

Onn Hafiz said this in his reply to a question from Andrew Chen Kah Eng (Stulang-PH), who asked about the government’s efforts in dealing with congestion on the Johor Causeway.

Earlier, Chen brought up a complaint posted by Singaporean singer Wang Lei, who expressed his dissatisfaction on Facebook Live after being stranded on the causeway when entering Johor, which he said took more than three hours.

Wang, who expressed his complaint in Mandarin, said this is something he and people commuting between Singapore and Johor Baru have been facing for decades. – Bernama, March 22, 2023.