Power outages can be inconvenient under normal circumstances, but when they occur at crucial transit points like the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Johor Bahru, the consequences are significant. In the early hours of Wednesday (Dec 6), travellers faced a chaotic situation as a power outage disrupted operations, leading to long queues and traffic woes.
Video of power outage
A. Overview of the power outage incident
The Bangunan Sultan Iskandar CIQ Complex, a vital checkpoint between Malaysia and Singapore, experienced an unexpected power outage that triggered a series of challenges for commuters. This incident not only affected the general public but also drew attention to the reliability of essential facilities.
B. Impact on travellers and facilities
Travellers, both in vehicles and on foot, found themselves stranded in long queues within the departure hall. The outage not only affected the physical movement of people but also led to the shutdown of electronic gate (e-gate) facilities, exacerbating the inconvenience.
II. The Cause of Power Outage
A. TNB’s letter and scheduled electricity interruption
As per a letter from energy company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), dated Nov 27, the scheduled electricity interruption was planned to affect several areas, including the CIQ complex and JB Sentral. The letter outlined the temporary cessation of electricity supply from 8 pm on Tuesday to 5 am on Wednesday.
B. Specific areas affected, including CIQ complex and JB Sentral
The targeted areas, crucial for cross-border operations, were included in TNB’s plan. The outage affected not only the CIQ complex but also JB Sentral, compounding the challenges faced by commuters.
III. Timeline of Events
A. Start of the outage at midnight on Tuesday
The power outage commenced at midnight, catching many travellers off guard. Reports on social media platforms documented the unfolding events, with images and videos showcasing long queues and commuters navigating through the darkened departure hall.
B. Reports and social media updates from travellers
Travellers took to social media to share their experiences, providing real-time updates on the situation. The power outage became a trending topic, with concerns raised about the efficiency and preparedness of the checkpoint authorities.
IV. Consequences of Power Outage
A. Shutdown of electronic gate facilities
The disruption resulted in the temporary shutdown of e-gate facilities, impacting the efficiency of immigration processes. The inconvenience caused frustration among travellers who had to navigate manual clearance procedures.
B. Long queues and traffic disruptions at the checkpoint
The departure hall witnessed unprecedented queues, and the adjacent roads experienced traffic disruptions. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore issued an advisory at 11 am, warning travellers of heavy departure traffic at Woodlands Checkpoint due to a tailback from Malaysia.
C. ICA’s announcement and advice to travellers
In response to the situation, ICA advised travellers to check traffic conditions before embarking on their journey and acknowledged that delays were expected.
In conclusion, the power outage at the Johor Bahru checkpoint exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure planning and communication. The incident disrupted travel plans, leading to long queues and frustration among commuters.