JOHOR BARU: Discussions on the dedicated pedestrian mini Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex are nearing completion, said Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad.
The committee overseeing the matter, comprising Home Ministry officials, state non-governmental organisations, the police, Customs and Immigration Departments, state assemblymen in Johor Baru as well as city councillors will hold a few more meetings to discuss the complex’s feasibility and design.
“There is no stumbling block so far,” Shahrir told The Star after launching the Johor Ex-Servicemen’s Association annual general meeting here yesterday.
He said Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman’s announcement two weeks ago that the state government was willing to hand over the land required for the complex was a step in the right direction.
Shahrir also hoped that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would address the issue when he visits the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar CIQ complex tomorrow.
“I hope his visit will speed up the process of constructing the complex (mini CIQ) further,” he said.
Shahrir said that bus passengers on the CIQ route between Johor Baru and Singapore were really hopeful of a mini CIQ for pedestrians as it would cut short their travel time.
“With the mini CIQ, they can opt to walk if they are caught in a traffic jam enroute to the CIQ. The complex can also revive businesses located in the heart of Johor Baru,” he said.
Currently, public transport commuters leave the CIQ through Johor Baru Central and City Square, requiring a long walk to the nearest bus stop.
In January last year, Shahrir, who was then Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, had proposed using the old CIQ for pedestrian traffic.