JOHOR BARU, March 7 – The federal government has approved an allocation of RM741.3 million to upgrade the Sultan Iskandar Building’s CIQ Complex (BSI) and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) land crossings in Johor.

State Public Works, Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said RM27.7 million from the allocation will be used to add M-Bike lanes for motorcycles.

"The additional M-Bike lanes is believed to be able to overcome the problem of congestion at both the southern land entrances of the country, especially during peak hours.

"In the Special Committee on Congestion at the Johor Causeway chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof yesterday, several proposals were discussed.

"Among them are ongoing projects as well as initiatives that are ongoing and to be implemented that are expected to have a positive impact on Johor, especially in the downtown area of Johor Baru,” said Mohamad Fazli in a statement today.

Mohamad Fazli said congestion can be optimally reduced through the addition of 25 exit lanes and 25 entry lanes to Malaysia, making an additional 50 new lanes to the existing 100 lanes.

He said the work to upgrade both CIQs at BSI and KSAB will be done in stages with this year’s allocation of RM96.2 million.

"Hopefully, the efforts and close cooperation of the state government and the federal government can help solve the problem of congestion that has plagued Malaysians traveling back and forth to Singapore,” he explained.

Earlier, Fadillah reportedly said that the proposal to overcome congestion, especially at the Johor Causeway, will be brought to the Cabinet for approval.

He said among the initiatives discussed is the merger of the bus passenger hall at KSAB with an estimated cost of RM25 million.

Fadillah also proposed to upgrade the new lorry inspection counters in the Lorry Entry Zone and the Department of Quarantine and Inspection Services Malaysia’s quarantine bay at an estimated cost of RM30.6 million, as well as building new toilet facilities for the public at an estimated cost of RM8.6 million.

In addition, he said a review of staffing needed to be done to balance the workload of officers with the increasing the number of travellers.

Fadillah also said the government agreed with the proposal to establish a "Single Entry Point” at the border of Malaysia and Singapore.

However, he said the proposal will be refined by the Home Ministry together with other relevant ministries and agencies before being raised in the Cabinet meeting.