Untitled Document

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia's new Customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex is fully operational from today, which means all vehicles using the Causeway will have to pass through it.

Known as the Sultan Iskandar Complex, after the Johor ruler, the facility has 76 lanes for cars and 100 for motorcycles.

The existing Causeway checkpoints at the edge of Johor Baru's city centre will no longer be in operation from the early hours of today.

The RM1.3 billion (S$539 million) complex was partially operational from Dec 1 when vehicles from Singapore were diverted to the complex for a drive-through after completing their immigration and Customs procedures at the existing Causeway terminal.

And from today, all vehicles coming from Singapore must also use the Touch 'n Go cash cards to pay toll fees as they enter Malaysia. Cash will not be accepted.

Previously, drivers could choose to pay the RM2.90 fee using cash.

The smart cards, priced at RM20, are available at the old terminal, the new complex, as well as at petrol stations and Telekom Malaysia shops in Johor Baru.

The Sultan Iskandar Complex is a sprawling facility built on a 113ha site in Bukit Chagar.

Johor traffic police chief Superintendent T. Raveendran said full operations of the complex started at 12.01 am today.

All cars, buses, vans and motorcycles will use the new CIQ. But lorries will still use the nearby Tanjung Puteri checkpoint.

The existing immigration terminal at the Causeway will be demolished after the authorities are satisfied with the smooth flow of traffic at the new complex, he said.

Engineer Darryl Chong, 32, who works in Singapore and used the new complex, said that he was concerned about the narrow roads at the new complex.

'The roads are very narrow for big vehicles,' he said.

He added that he was unsure whether larger vehicles would slow down the flow of traffic while trying to negotiate the winding roads.

A new 8km road is being built to link the new complex to the southernmost tip of the North-South Highway.

The RM1.2 billion contract to build the partially elevated road was designed to reduce congestion in Johor Baru by linking it directly to the expressway.

It is unclear whether users will have to pay an additional fee above the RM2.90 toll imposed now, once the new road is ready.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

		The new Customs complex in Johor Baru has 76 lanes for cars and 100 for motorcycles. -- PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia's new Customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex is fully operational from today, which means all vehicles using the Causeway will have to pass through it. Known as the Sultan Iskandar Complex, after the Johor ruler, the facility has 76 lanes for cars and 100 for motorcycles. The existing Causeway checkpoints at the edge of Johor Baru's city centre will no longer be in operation from the early hours of today. The RM1.3 billion (S$539 million) complex was partially operational from Dec 1 when vehicles from Singapore were diverted to the complex for a drive-through after completing their immigration and Customs procedures at the existing Causeway terminal. And from today, all vehicles coming from Singapore must also use the Touch 'n Go cash cards to pay toll fees as they enter Malaysia. Cash will not be accepted. Previously, drivers could choose to pay the RM2.90 fee using cash. The smart cards, priced at RM20, are available at the old terminal, the new complex, as well as at petrol stations and Telekom Malaysia shops in Johor Baru. The Sultan Iskandar Complex is a sprawling facility built on a 113ha site in Bukit Chagar. Johor traffic police chief Superintendent T. Raveendran said full operations of the complex started at 12.01 am today. All cars, buses, vans and motorcycles will use the new CIQ. But lorries will still use the nearby Tanjung Puteri checkpoint. The existing immigration terminal at the Causeway will be demolished after the authorities are satisfied with the smooth flow of traffic at the new complex, he said. Engineer Darryl Chong, 32, who works in Singapore and used the new complex, said that he was concerned about the narrow roads at the new complex. 'The roads are very narrow for big vehicles,' he said. He added that he was unsure whether larger vehicles would slow down the flow of traffic while trying to negotiate the winding roads. A new 8km road is being built to link the new complex to the southernmost tip of the North-South Highway. The RM1.2 billion contract to build the partially elevated road was designed to reduce congestion in Johor Baru by linking it directly to the expressway. It is unclear whether users will have to pay an additional fee above the RM2.90 toll imposed now, once the new road is ready. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

New CIQ Opens