ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Menteri Besar is determined to continue his surprise visits to one of the world's busiest land checkpoints, until the congestion and other legacy issues are resolved.
Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi reaffirmed his commitment and determination that his visits to both the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complexes at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Komplex Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB), will continue despite uneasiness from certain parties.
"I will be there as long as issues persist at the two CIQ complexes remain unresolved, and continue to cause inconvenience to Johoreans and visitors," he said today.
Onn Hafiz said that cross-border movements between Johor and Singapore are under the federal government jurisdiction.
Johor is a permanent member of the special committee task force setup to address the congestion issues at the state Causeway.
He also acknowledged that his frequent presence at the CIQ complexes was not welcomed by certain parties, but he assured the people that he would not stop.
Recently, the state Immigration Department underwent a massive transfer exercise, which was kept under wraps.
The state immigration director and both chiefs at the BSI and KSAB CIQ complexes were transferred out of Johor, and replaced with new faces.
It was also reported that 11 civil servants believed to be immigration officers were arrested in a police drug bust. It is yet to be established if it was an attributing factor to the transfer exercise.
Onn Hafiz also said that he has faith in the immigration's new leadership stationed in the state.
He believes with collective collaboration, the issues involving some 250,000 Johoreans plying both CIQ complexes on a daily basis to earn a living will be resolved.
He reiterated that his surprise visits were in the interest of the people, and it was his responsibility as the Menteri Besar to advocate for their welfare.
He said a huge number of Johoreans commute daily to Singapore for work, in order to put food on the table for their respective families.
Onn Hafiz also confirmed that the QR Code Immigration Clearance System will be implemented soon at the Johor Causeway.
Earlier today, Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said an announcement on the details of the QR code Immigration Clearance System would be announced by the Home Ministry in due time.