Tighter Checks Cause Congestion at Johor Checkpoints

Johor experiences severe congestion at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar as immigration officers enforce stricter passport checks following cases of motorcyclists bypassing immigration procedures.

Subscribe to our Instagram Channel for instant news & updates!

Johor’s two major land checkpoints have been facing severe congestion in recent days, with traffic bottlenecks delaying thousands of daily commuters. State officials say immigration officers enforce tighter procedures after several motorcyclists slipped past passport control without being screened, causing the current delays.

The enhanced measures now apply to the motorcycle lanes at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB), both critical gateways linking Johor and Singapore. Johor Works, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh says the situation is becoming particularly challenging at the manual immigration counters.

Manual processing requires immigration officers to physically inspect and scan each passport, a process that typically takes more than 30 seconds per traveller. Commuters carrying multiple passports or travelling in groups further increase the workload at these counters, slowing movement through both complexes.

The stricter checks follow enforcement reports from the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, which highlighted several breaches at the motorcycle lanes. In these cases, motorcyclists rode through the manual lanes without presenting their passports, bypassing mandatory immigration procedures entirely.

Officials say the tightened SOPs are essential to prevent similar incidents from recurring, even if it means temporary congestion. Improved enforcement at both BSI and KSAB remains necessary to maintain border integrity and ensure all travellers undergo proper documentation.

Mohamad Fazli acknowledged the inconvenience faced by commuters but stressed that security must remain the priority. He notes that congestion will ease once the situation stabilises and travellers adjust to the stricter, more time-consuming protocols.

For now, authorities are monitoring traffic flow closely and are urging commuters, especially motorcyclists using manual lanes, to plan for longer travel times when crossing the border.