JOHOR BARU: The problems plaguing the new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex will be brought to the attention of the Cabinet this week.
Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad said that after the discussion at Cabinet level he hoped to visit the site this month to see how the problems could be tackled.
"I have been receiving complaints, and I am aware of the unhappiness," he said yesterday.
Among the grouses raised by the public are narrow roads, long queues at the complex, poor signage, traffic congestion, and dirty toilets.
The people have also complained about not being allowed to walk across the Causeway, while business owners have said the new complex had taken their customers away as travellers now bypass the city centre where they are located.
Vandals have also struck at the complex less than a month after its opening, cutting holes in a perimeter fence and posing a possible security breach.
One of those who are unhappy with the complex, Malaysian Indian Business Council president P. Sivakumar, described the new complex as a nightmare for travellers.
"Last week, five businesses including two moneychangers and a restaurant had to close down. We expect the situation to worsen," he said, adding that the complex was badly designed.
Sivakumar suggested that the old complex be reopened for motorcyclists and pedestrians. This would bring 5,000 to 10,000 travellers into the city again, he said.
Johor Immigration Director Mohd Nasri Ishak said the problems raised were similar to glitches experienced at the old complex located near the Causeway, and he was confident the problems would be overcome soon.
"Everyone must adjust to the new complex. The situation will eventually stabilise," he said.
Meanwhile, Johor Baru (South) OCPD Asst Comm Zainuddin Yaakob said the police had not received any reports about the complex.
He added that he was not aware that the perimeter fencing around the complex had been vandalised. -The Star/Asia News Network
AsiaOne, Singapore
