The government has allocated funding of RM168.7 million to solve the perennial congestion along the causeway in Johor said Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof.
Congestion along both the causeways has been the bane of Johor residents who commute daily to Singapore to work, despite making complaints to various state governments over the years, very little has been done to ease the traffic.
Recently a Malaysian MP said the congestion is not only caused by Johorians but also Singaporeans, the remark immediately prompted a reply from the other side Immigration and Checkpoints Authority saying they were not the cause of heavy congestion at its two land checkpoints with Malaysia during long weekends or holiday seasons.
On occasions, severe traffic tailback of cars entering Malaysia stretched from both of Malaysia’s checkpoints to Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, affecting waiting time and clearance at the Singapore side, added ICA in a media statement.
ICA also cautioned that it “cannot compromise security for speed”, adding that it will continue to look at how to improve travellers’ experience and work closely with its Malaysian counterparts to improve traffic conditions.
Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints are among the busiest land crossings in the world. ICA said about 270,000 travellers pass through Woodlands Checkpoint daily and cross the Causeway to Johor Bahru.
Congestion at the land borders has been a long-standing issue, with members of the public often taking to social media to complain about long waiting times to clear immigration due to traffic snarls and crowds during peak periods.
In April, Johor’s chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi told CNA that the efficiency level on the Malaysian side of the Causeway must be raised to 100 percent by 2023 to alleviate congestion. He also outlined manpower and technical problems as issues that authorities must overcome.
