Image Credits : AFP
A series of upgrading works at the Sultan Iskandar Building, the customs, immigration, and quarantine complex (CIQ) in Johor, will result in the closure of some bus zone counters and electronic gates (e-gates) from Friday, December 15. This development, expected to last until January 15, 2024, has drawn mixed reactions, with some expressing concern over potential disruptions during the peak travel season.
Travellers relying on the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) counter will face inconveniences during this period. Eligible travellers who aim to use the e-gates are required to register their fingerprints at the MDAC counters during their initial visit, allowing the subsequent seamless use of the e-gates. Travellers have been urged to factor in these closures when planning their journeys.
Criticism emerged online, questioning the rationale behind conducting upgrading works during what is considered a “peak season.” Many online commentators expressed worries about extended wait times and increased traffic congestion. In response to these concerns, Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi took to Facebook on Thursday, revealing that he had requested a postponement of the upgrading works until the conclusion of the school holidays.
Ghazi expressed his request for the postponement of the upgrading works until the conclusion of the school holidays. However, the Johor Bahru immigration authorities have not yet confirmed whether the scheduled closures will be delayed.
During Singapore’s school holiday period, spanning from November 16 to January 2, Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had previously warned of anticipated heavy traffic. The MDAC, introduced in January, became a prerequisite for Singapore passport holders to access e-gates when travelling to and from Malaysia. Despite recent confusion sparked by Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, affirming that Singaporeans are exempt from submitting the MDAC, the digital arrival card remains mandatory for all foreign nationals from December 1, as per Malaysia’s Immigration Department.
The situation has left some travellers bewildered, with questions arising about the necessity of the MDAC for entry through both manual counters and e-gates. As the authorities navigate these intricacies, travellers are advised to stay informed and plan their journeys accordingly, considering potential delays and disruptions during this crucial period.