JOHOR BARU: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi pulled no punches in criticising the less than efficient service at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI).
TikTok user JDT01Unite captured the Menteri Besar's obvious displeasure upon seeing four of the six drive-through counters at the CIQ Complex closed on Wednesday.
Onn Hafiz was captured on video tearing into officials, saying, "It's unacceptable that there are more counters closed than those open."
He did not hide his frustration at the excuses given by the Immigration officer (whose face was not captured in the video).
The menteri besar was told that the counters were closed because the officers were on 'shift rotation' (rest breaks, prayers), and because of "technical issues."
Onn Hafiz said the problem has been going on for far too long and bluntly told the Immigration officer to "sort out your human resource issues".
He added that it was not right, as in the end, it was the rakyat who suffer.
Onn Hafiz made the surprise visit to the CIQ Complex on Wednesday about 5am.
State Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, was also present.
The Johor government held a coordination meeting in mid-April with the Immigration Department to plan for the smooth flow of vehicles at the CIQ Complexes at the Sultan Iskandar Building and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Iskandar Puteri, ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri exodus.
They had anticipated a high volume of vehicles entering and exiting the country via both CIQ complexes.
Among the issues discussed were increasing the number of buses, the opening of special lanes, more counters, and the deployment of additional security and Rela (People's Volunteer Corps) personnel, among others.