JOHOR BARU: Travel agencies and transport operators are disappointed at the shoddy facilities for bus passengers at the Second Link checkpoint in Tanjung Kupang near Gelang Patah, and they urge those responsible to expedite plans for repair work.
The problem at the 20-year-old Sultan Abu Bakar Complex customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) has been pointed out in the past by travel agents, transport companies and tourists in the past.
However, it gained attention when Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong visited the complex on Oct 1.
Transport company operator Chua Poh Kok said he questioned how the glarring problem of damaged awnings at the bus section could have gone unnoticed for almost five years by the management of the complex.
"It is an eyesore and it has negatively affected the image of Johor and Malaysia. Tourists can clearly see the damaged awning as it is the first thing they will notice when they enter our country by bus.
"Whoever is responsible for the building should have made repairs five years ago when the holes in the awning first appeared.
"It is a problem that has been highlighted by travel agencies and transport companies for a long time but our complaints usually fell on deaf ears," said Chua, who runs a company that operates a fleet of 10 buses that transport Darul Ta'zim football club players.
He admitted that the problem was the reason he prefered to bring in Malaysia-bound clients transiting in Singapore via the Causeway, instead of the Second Link.
Chua, who is Johor Tourism Association committee member said the various campaigns to lure tourists into Johor were useless if the issue of proper amenities at entry points were not resolved.
Meanwhile a managing director with a tour and travel agency Datuk Teo Kok Chee said better awning for waiting bus passengers and additional toilets were urgently needed at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex.
"It is important that facilities at the Second Link are upgraded. Don't let it us wait for another year as repairs must be done now.
"Tens of thousands of tourists and Malaysian workers pass through the Second Link every week, and this figure doubles during public holidays and school breaks.
"We cannot let our country's image be tarnished with unsatisfactory amenities at the complex," said Teo.
During a visit to the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex on Oct 1, Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said that the state government will send a proposal to the federal government by the end of the month to conduct a facelift for the complex.
Tee said a meeting with Johor tourism bodies, Immigration Department and non-governmental organisations would draft a proposal for the upgrades and to propose a suitable budget for it.
He said tourists complained about the damaged awning for the five foot way at the drop off point for bus passengers and the lack of toilets where bus passengers queued up for immigration checks.