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 Tuesday (Dec 12), travellers faced a chaotic situation as a power outage disrupted operations, leading to long queues and traffic woes.
A traveller posted a video of Johor customs showing travellers walking in the dark:
Travellers have voiced their dissatisfaction as Johor Customs experiences another blackout, causing disruptions to the usual flow of immigration processes. This recurrent issue raises concerns about the reliability of the system and its impact on travel plans.
With the blackout came the malfunctioning of auto gates, further exacerbating the challenges faced by travellers. Auto gates are designed to streamline the immigration process, providing a quick and automated way for individuals to pass through customs. However, the recent blackout rendered these gates non-functional, leading to long queues and delays.
Video of Johor Customs
Netizens say one time embarrassment “not enough”
Previously poweroutage took place just 6 days ago on a Wednesday and the 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.
Frustration Among Travellers
Reports from frustrated travellers highlight the inconvenience caused by the blackout and the subsequent malfunction of auto gates. This incident adds to the existing concerns about the efficiency and preparedness of border control systems, especially in a region with significant cross-border traffic.