Holiday Rush Triggers Massive Jam At Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS

ALOR SETAR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- 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 Sept 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.

He said to address the congestion, AKPS has activated the Quick Response Team and deployed extra duty officers to control traffic flow in the ICQS area.

He said AKPS is cooperating with the police and other enforcement agencies to ensure that the checkpoint, which is open from 6 am to midnight, is tightly monitored.

He further said 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,” he said.

He said they should comply with enforcement instructions for the safety and smooth passage of all parties.

-- BERNAMA