Advertisement A photo of commuters queuing up near the Johor Bahru customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex, after a blackout, taken at 5am on Dec 6, 2023. (Photo: Facebook/Muruga Vell)
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06 Dec 2023 12:05PM (Updated: 06 Dec 2023 12:46PM)
SINGAPORE: A power outage at a Johor Bahru checkpoint resulted in long queues for travellers on Wednesday (Dec 6) morning.
According to travellers on social media, the power outage at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex also caused electronic gate (e-gate) facilities to go down.
Singapore Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao reported that the outage began at midnight on Tuesday.
Pictures and videos on social media show long queues at the departure hall, with many travellers waiting in the dark. Videos also show motorcyclists stuck in a jam at about 8.30am.
A photo of motorcyclists queuing up near the Johor Bahru customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex, after a blackout, taken at 4.35am on Dec 6, 2023. (Photo: Facebook/Mizta Nesh Nair) An electricity blackout at Johor Bahru checkpoint on Dec 6, 2023. (Photo: X/vignashhh) A photo of commuters inside the Johor Bahru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, after a blackout, taken at 9.13am on Dec 6, 2023. (Photo: Facebook/Intan Yuhana) Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) reported on Wednesday at 11am heavy departure traffic at Woodlands Checkpoint “due to tailback from Malaysia”.
“Delays are expected and travellers are advised to check traffic conditions before embarking on their journey.”
Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday that the incident was extremely distressing to users and an embarrassment to the state.
In his post, he attached a photo of a letter from energy company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Dated Nov 27, the letter stated that the supply of electricity would be stopped or affected temporarily in several areas, including the CIQ complex and JB Sentral, from 8pm on Tuesday to 5am on Wednesday.
Mr Onn Hafiz added that TNB and infrastructure authority Jabatan Kerja Raya have been directed to resolve the outage as soon as possible.
CNA has asked Malaysia’s immigration department for comment.