The Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Pasir Mas will be replaced with a new facility to accommodate rising cross-border traffic following the construction of a second Malaysia-Thailand bridge.
Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Rantau Panjang commander Siti Khadijah Hamzah said land acquisition for the new complex, overseen by the Home Ministry, had been completed.
She said the existing facility, which has operated for many years, was increasingly constrained by limited space and inefficient traffic flow. It will be demolished once the new complex is completed, although no completion date has been set.
The new facility will feature a more orderly traffic layout, including separate lanes for travellers entering and leaving Malaysia. The changes are intended to reduce congestion at the border crossing, particularly during weekends, public holidays and festive periods.
Daily cross-border traffic at the complex typically ranges between 2,000 and 3,000 people, but can rise to about 5,000 during peak periods. All 12 immigration inspection counters are opened during busy periods, with six serving arrivals and six departures.
Rantau Panjang is one of three official entry points into Kelantan, alongside Bukit Bunga in Tanah Merah and Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat. The complex coordinates immigration, customs, quarantine and security checks and also houses several enforcement agencies.
Located along the Sungai Golok border, the checkpoint also faces security challenges, including smuggling and illegal crossings, adding to the need for more suitable infrastructure as cross-border movement increases.
