To ease congestion and speed up traffic flow at Malaysia’s land checkpoints, Singaporeans were recently allowed to use the e-gates. Previously, only Malaysian passport holders were able to enjoy such a convenience.
Unfortunately, peak-hour congestion continued at both checkpoints.
Source: Andrew Chen Kah Eng 曾笳恩 on Facebook
On Tuesday (28 Feb), Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen shared in a Facebook post that the congestion is due to Singaporeans who are unsure about the e-gate usage requirements.
Malaysia announced that Singaporeans could use e-gates to enter Johor Bahru (JB) back on 20 Jan.
They can do so at both the Sultan Iskandar Checkpoint connected to Woodlands and Sultan Abu Bakar Checkpoint connected to Tuas.
Since then, Mr Chen said he had been receiving countless complaints from Malaysians. Many lamented that the congestion has gotten much worse.
Source: Andrew Chen Kah Eng 曾笳恩 on Facebook
He revealed that this problem has emerged because both Malaysians and Singaporeans are using the same e-gates.
However, many Singaporeans do not know that they must have an e-passport and submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before using the e-gates.
As a result, they end up repeatedly trying their luck at the e-gates and jamming up customs.
At Singapore’s customs clearance, many automated gates are exclusively for Singaporeans’ usage.
In view of this, Mr Chen called on Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs to reserve gates especially for Malaysians at the customs too.
The assemblyman also urged the ministry to improve the automatic customs clearance system and process.
Singaporeans who wish to use the e-gates at JB checkpoints will need to have an e-passport with at least three months’ validity.
They would also need to submit the MDAC online three days before their travel.
First-time users of the e-gate also have to verify their biometric data at the immigration counter.
If you know anyone who’s planning to cross the Causeway and use the e-gates for the first time, share this with them so they’ll be aware.
Hopefully, with more people informed, the human traffic at the land checkpoints will decrease.
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Featured image adapted from Andrew Chen Kah Eng 曾笳恩 on Facebook.
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