GELANG PATAH: The 20-year old Sultan Abu Bakar Complex customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) at the Second Link in Tanjung Kupang here is in a deplorable condition and in dire need of refurbishment.
Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, who visited the CIQ complex today, revealed how the shoddy facilities had received complaints from tourists who entered Malaysia via the Second Link.
"The state government will send a proposal to the federal government by the end of this month to conduct a facelift for the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex.
"Several agencies including Johor tourism bodies, Immigration Department and non-governmental organisations will meet in the next two weeks to come up with a draft proposal for the upgrades and to propose a suitable budget for it," said Tee after his 30 minute walkabout at the complex.
He said that among other things, tourists had complained about the damaged awning for the five foot way at the drop off point for bus passengers.
Tee said many tourists on buses complained that toilets were not available at the area where they queued up for immigration checks, and that toilets were only available after the immigration counters.
"This caused many of them trying to cut the queue, and this created inconvenience.
"We want all visitors to be comfortable and want to maintain order here. That is why providing extra toilets would be among the short-term measures that will make tourists more comfortable," he said, while urging the Johor Tourism Association and other tourism stakeholders to contribute funds for some of the minor facelift works.
Tee said there was an urgent need for the facelift and refurbishment due to an increase in tourists arriving via the Second Link.
He said between January and Aug 31 this year, more than 17 million tourists passed through the complex and the number, particularly those from China, who entered Johor via the Second Link was expected to increase by 25 per cent this year.
"Many Chinese tourists travel to Malaysia via Singapore. They use the Second Link and Causeway to enter Johor because there are visa-on-arrival counters at both land checkpoints.
"The arrival of Chinese tourists is expected to be high this month due to a weeklong holiday season in China from Oct 1 to 7," he said.
On a related issue, Tee urged bus operators to adhere to safety regulations when dropping off their passengers at the complex.
"It has come to my attention that buses drop off passengers by the roadside a few metres away from the Complex before making a U-turn to return to the city centre," he said.
He said this was unsafe and urged bus operators to heed safety regulations including dropping their passengers at the designated drop-off point at the complex.
"We will assign Rela (People's Volunteer Corps) members to monitor the bus operators' movement as this is important for everyone's safety," he said.
Tee also urged tour operators to submit their lists of large tour groups to the Immigration Department in advance to cut out queuing time at the complex.
"The Immigration Department will give priority to lists submitted earlier.
"This measure is to cut the waiting time, subsequently cutting the queue line at the counters," said Tee.