A power outage took place earlier today (6 December) at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (CIQ) checkpoint in Johor, unleashing unmitigated chaos as travellers found themselves in long snaking queues for hours in the dark, trying to clear immigration to enter Singapore, according to TODAY.
The Unfolding Situation
The disruption, initiated by a power outage that commenced at 8 pm on December 5, cast the JB Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complex into darkness.
The outage impacted not only the lighting but also the electronic gate (e-gate) facilities, exacerbating the congestion within the premises.
Travellers in Limbo
Reports emerged of travellers enduring hours-long waits just to navigate through immigration. Videos circulating on social media, particularly on TikTok, captured the extent of the chaos.
In one video, individuals stood in serpentine queues inside the complex, illuminated only by the light of their mobile devices.
With the power outage rendering the complex in near darkness, travellers had to rely on the flashlights and screen brightness settings of their mobile devices to navigate the facility.
The inconvenience caused by the lack of lighting and operational e-gate facilities highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure during unforeseen events.
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ICA’s Response and Warning
Responding to the situation, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in Singapore acknowledged the delays and cautioned travellers to check traffic conditions before embarking on their journeys.
Further compounding the travel woes, the ICA reported heavy departure traffic at Woodlands Checkpoint, citing a tailback from Malaysia.
The unexpected power outage underscored the vulnerability of the checkpoint’s infrastructure and raised questions about the lack of contingency measures to address such emergencies.
Chief Minister’s Reaction
Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi, expressing his dismay at the “huge consumer problem and a disgrace to the state,” took action by instructing energy company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and infrastructure authority Jabatan Kerja Raya to promptly resolve the issue.
He questioned the absence of a backup electricity supply, pointing to a letter from TNB dated November 27, indicating a planned temporary interruption in electricity supply from 8 pm on December 5 to 4 am on December 6.