Over the past two years, the state government has been actively involved in upgrading infrastructure and public amenities for the benefit of the people and to attract more investors into the state. These improvements include upgrading roads, the two land checkpoints with Singapore, public healthcare, and cleanliness state-wide.
The two checkpoints, known as the country’s busiest, have experienced significant improvements due to the frequent visits made by top officials, particularly Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi over the past two years to address long-standing issues. Bangunan Sultan Iskandar customs, immigration, and quarantine complex (BSI) at the Causeway and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB) at the Second Link see an average of 350,000 daily travelers, mostly for work, since the border reopened on April 1, 2022 after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Onn Hafiz has personally made over 80 surprise visits to both checkpoints as of August last year to address “legacy issues” such as traffic congestion, lack of manpower, and faulty facilities like non-functioning autogates. Effa Suraya A. Hamid, who commutes daily to Singapore for work, mentioned the significant reduction in her travel time since the improvements were implemented, allowing her to spend more time with her family.
Another frequent user, Hang Hui Sek, also noted the positive changes at BSI, particularly on Mondays, which used to be congested after weekends or festive periods. The introduction of contra-flow lanes by Onn Hafiz has helped ease traffic flow and improved the overall commuting experience.
S. Sahana, who travels via the Second Link to work as a shipping executive in Singapore, mentioned how the traffic situation has improved with reduced stress levels, thanks to the new lanes introduced for immigration clearance.
Onn Hafiz highlighted that around 300,000 Malaysians use the two border crossings daily for work, indirectly affecting 1.2 million Johoreans, which is 30% of the state’s population. He not only proposed changes to tackle traffic congestion but also pushed for solving human resources issues at the checkpoints.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof mentioned an expected increase in travelers passing through the checkpoints from 71 million in 2022 to 157 million by 2025. Apart from the checkpoints, Onn Hafiz and his team conducted spot checks on public amenities, leading to upgrades on various roads in the state.
For public healthcare, the state government allocated funds for upgrading Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) parking lot, replacing its roof, and providing shuttle bus services for patients and visitors. Additionally, numerous health clinics and hospitals in different districts received upgrades and new equipment to enhance healthcare services.
In the 2024 state budget, significant allocation was made to support the public healthcare sector, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services despite being under federal purview.
