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Johor checkpoints congestion due to tighter checks at motorcycle lanes
The congestion largely occurred at manual counters, where officers have to physically inspect and scan each passport.
November 20, 2025, 05:19 PM
The recent congestion occurring at the Johor land checkpoints is due to stringent immigration checks at the motorcycle lanes, said Johor works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh on Nov. 20.
According to The Star, several motorcyclists at the checkpoints were found "slipping through" without undergoing proper passport checks.
Congestion mainly at manual counters where officers need to physically scan passports
Following these cases, local authorities carried out tightened immigration SOPs at the motorcycle lanes of Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB).
Fazli said that the jams largely stemmed from motorists using manual counters, where officers have to physically inspect and scan each passport.
He added that such manual checks typically take more than 30 seconds per person, especially when officers have to handle multiple passports simultaneously.
According to Fazli, the enhanced SOPs followed enforcement action reported by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency.
He added: "The congestion was unavoidable for now as enforcement officers needed to prevent further cases where motorcyclists bypass immigration checks. There were cases where people passed through the manual lane without showing their passports. This should not happen, and that is why tighter checks are necessary."
26 Malaysians left country without passport clearance, several fined
Authorities previously detained 26 Malaysians who exited the country via the BSI motorcycle lane on Oct. 16 without presenting their passports, reported The Star.
13 motorists were charged and fined RM1,500 (S$469) each, and another 10 offenders were fined RM1,000 (S$313) each on Nov. 6.
Written warnings were issued to three pillion riders.
Motorists at both manual and automated lanes should report to an immigration officer when entering or leaving Malaysia.
Top photos via Alex Jamal & Winson Ong Kel Vin/Facebook
