Woodlands-Johor Causeway Congestion: What Malaysia can do to ease it

(Pic obtained from AsiaOne)

Regularly referred to as the busiest land crossing in the world, the Woodlands-Johore causeway sees traffic from Malaysia alone hitting the low 300k daily, and coupled with Singapore's outgoing and incoming vehicular traffic, one can only imagine the chaos especially during rush hours.

Hence, the Singapore's ICA implementation of the QR Code access by 2nd time or more visitors will help reduce interaction time between enforcement officers and transients, this alleviating traffic congestion.

Malaysia, though lagging behind these initiatives, have a pro-active Chief Minister in Johor's Onn Ghafar whose surprise checks of the Malaysian border crossing complex is seen as a hindrance by immigration officials. The latest outburst by the union of Immigration officers only goes to show that the problem lies not with the government but at the agency itself. 

While Singapore's ICA is often seen to review and implement measures to ease congestion, the same cannot be said about Malaysia. In the latest visit by Onn Ghafar, he pointed out 13 closed counters by Malaysian Immigration officers, a logical deduction, on why congestion is often experienced, notably by Singaporean who frequent Malaysia for obvious reasons.

Malaysia's failure to address these issues will only cause more frustrations to drivers from both sides and can only letout the 'Malaysia mah' sigh (in Singlish, 'Malaysia-mah' means it's because of Malaysia, and is often let out as a sigh when things are done differently from Singapore)

Given the upcoming long weekends both for 29 March Good Friday & Easter as well as the next 10 April Hari Raya Puasa, which will see an added increase in traffic, let's hope the Malaysians will wake up and up their game to better manage the border crossing.

Just a note, wouldn't it help better if Malaysia's immigration change their shift assignments rather than smack right during rush hour?

May the real Malaysian Foreign Minister please stand up?

 One of the images constantly still being carried by Channel News Asia when in between slots for the 'Live' News broadcast depicts our very own Vivian Balakrishnan and Malaysia's former (or rather one of the former) Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

image from google

For the ill-informed, Saifuddin Abdullah, was Foreign Minister on two occasions, once under the PM-ship of Tun Mahathir as well as under the 9th PM Ismail Sabri. It must have been difficult for our editors of CNA to keep track with Malaysia's musical chairs of Ministers during that tumultuous period of 7th to 8th to 9th and now 10th, better known as PMX.

While Singapore being the closest neighbours to Malaysia is still keeping old images of Malaysia's former Foreign Minister, it is not surprising then that the former Foreign Ministers themselves have found their voices to be heard. Not Saifuddin for sure, as he is probably toeing his Political Party's line by maintaining silence on the recent issues, foreign or domestic to Malaysia, but from one that is more vocal and certainly experienced Anifah Aman. Yes, it is the very same respected person that is now a member of the Malaysian Upper House of Senate. The same person who is also the Special Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sabah for Foreign Affairs and Investment.

His statement in the upper house recently, highlighting the ineptitude of one of Malaysia's foremost trading partners , the United States of America's nonchalant response to the growing calls for an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza shows that Anifah is still the same person who helmed the Foreign Ministry in the past.

From previous global issues involving Sri Lanka to Myanmar, the Palestine question has always been Malaysia's stance in seeking a two state solution for the besieged country. Hence, Anfiah's statement to a top US official recently, in which he expressed his respectful view of having lost all respect for the US is both subtle and loud, something Anwar's current Foreign Minister is somewhat shy off. 

Yet, battling political crossfires within the Malaysian political landscape is somewhat expected of the much touted stable unity government; the many underlying currents that threaten Malaysia is very much present, from the new King of Malaysia's very strong Royal address to the current Parliamentary session, to the ever-growing discontent of the opposition from being left out of power amidst the ankle high socks that have been plaguing the nation through this holy month of Ramadhan. Anifah's strong rebuke of the US seems to remind the US that Malaysia though a small country, is ever steadfast in defending the Palestinians. 

Singapore too has been doing our part in upholding the principles of humanity, not just by sending aid and voicing neutrality for the support of a two state solution, yet recognising the need for Israel to defend itself, though difficult to understand for many of our neighbours, it is clear that Singapore will not be taking sides. In fact, Singapore too should stand alongside Malaysia, to lead what the west would not and do not want to do, calling for a ceasefire to restore any ounce of humanity to safeguard those innocent Palestinians.