Lack of parking lots at CIQ complex for staff
JOHOR BARU: The lack of parking lots at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Bukit Chagar had forced government staff stationed there to park their vehicles elsewhere.
Peninsular Malaysia Customs Officers Union president Ibrahim Ahmad said since the Customs officers had moved to the complex from the Tanjung Puteri Lorry Customs Complex, many of them faced difficulties in finding parking spots.
“There are 600 customs officers at the CIQ, but we are only allocated 200 parking lots inside the complex,” he said.
Ibrahim added that the 200 lots were reserved for senior officers while the rank and file personnel were left to their own devices to park their vehicles.
He added that Customs staff could not park their cars along Jalan Jim Quee near to the complex either, as they would be issued summonses by the traffic police or Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).
“We do not blame them because they are merely carrying out their duties but the alternative is to park our cars near Jalan Meldrum, which is far away from the complex,” Ibrahim said.
He added that apart from the distance of the nearest parking facility, the staff are also worried about their vehicles, it is expensive to park there with fees as high as RM10 daily.
Ibrahim said that although the department provided bus services for their staff, many of them could not utilise this service due to them not being able to follow the bus schedule for various reasons, such as having to ferry their children to and from school.
“The relevant authorities should provide sufficient parking lots at the complex, or perhaps we could be reimbursed by our respective departments for our parking expenses,” he said.