ALOR SETAR, Sept 14 — The Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex is experiencing unusual congestion due to a surge in vehicles heading to Thailand during the school holidays and the long festive break.
Bukit Kayu Hitam Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) commander SAC Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said the congestion began yesterday and is expected to continue until Sunday (September 21).
“There is extraordinary congestion at the private vehicle exit lane at the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS Complex. This situation is due to an overwhelming number of vehicles heading to neighbouring Thailand, mainly because of the school holiday season and the Malaysia Day public holiday.
“Movement statistics show that 21,971 individuals entered and exited through the ICQS Complex yesterday… of that, 4,941 individuals of various nationalities, including Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian, entered Malaysia, while 17,030 individuals departed for Thailand,” he said in a statement today.
To address the congestion, AKPS has activated the Quick Response Team and deployed extra duty officers to control traffic flow in the ICQS area.
Nasaruddin said AKPS is cooperating with the police and other enforcement agencies to ensure that the checkpoint, which is open from 6am to 12am, is tightly monitored.
He added that continuous close monitoring is also being carried out on the ground to ensure the overall situation remains under control.
“AKPS also advises all travellers passing through the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS to fully cooperate with all enforcement personnel on the ground and to plan their journey well, including taking into account the waiting times,” Nasaruddin said.
Travellers should also comply with the enforcement instructions for the safety and smooth passage of all parties.
