Posts filed under 'New Johor Bahru Custom/CIQ Complex'
With the announcement by the Home Ministry Secretary General in May 2012 that white cards are no longer required (ever!) for entry into Johor Bahru, we are left pondering some of the questions below:
1. Usage of National Enforcement Registration System
How does the system helps at all? Whatever that is stored in our passports (Name, Nationality, ID, biometric details) are already available years back. What is being filled up in the white card goes beyond that (purpose of visit, place of visit, vehicle #, occupation) and is not captured in our passport. So, what has really changed that removes the requirement of the white card?
2. Usage of white card
In the first place, do they really use the information filled up in the white card at all??!
3. MACS
The value of MACS is now diminished. As late as Oct 2011, the government was setting up MACS booth (http://www.limsimi.com/johor-bahru-news-information/macs-booth-at-holiday-plaza). This scheme can now be entirely dropped.
White cards to Malaysia – Now a piece of history
In any case, we are not complaining. Custom queues seem to be Read on…
July 21st, 2012
The Tebrau Highway is one of the main arteries of Johor Bahru. Besides serving as a link to the famous “Tamans” in Johor Bahru (Taman Sentosa, Taman Pelangi, Taman Sri Tebrau, Taman Melodies), many landmarks and shopping centers are peppered along it’s route. The Tebrau Highway leads from the Johor Bahru CIQ and Johor Bahru City Square towards Plaza Pelangi, and continues northwards towards Taman Molek, Aeon Tebrau City and most importantly, towards the North-South Highway and the Pasir Gudang Highway, where motorists will finally be able to step on the gas and go on a cruise mode towards further flung destinations (Malacca, Kuala Lumpar and Penang).
Over the years, the development of the Tebrau Highway has not kept up with the development projects in Johor Bahru, leading to frequent traffic jams and occasional accidents. Potholes are also common due to intense usage. Even the advertisement boards are starting to get a little too close to each other.
Johor Bahru Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL)
The introduction of a proposed Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) in Johor Bahru was thus a welcomed by most Johoreans in year 2009. Besides relieving the traffic conditions at Tebrau Highway, it allows for a faster commute for motorists with no intention of entering Johor Bahru city. From a macro economic view, the EDL project also promotes tourism as well as economic development in Johor.
The positive fanfare had continued until a few weeks back, when rumours first surfaced that:
1. The toll gates for the Johor Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) will be located right within Johor Bahru CIQ.
2. The toll charges will cost RM15.30 for a motorcar.
With the long standing policy by Singapore to match up the toll charges with Johor Bahru, this effectively meant that a return trip from Singapore to Johor Bahru Read on…
March 25th, 2012
If you are one of the many Singaporeans whom head to Johor Bahru more than once a month, you will encounter the slight frustration of filling up the white card (or some call it white form) which is required for entry into Johor Bahru. This is even worse if you are traveling with young kids, as YOU will need to fill up their white cards as well.
The Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) has already been introduced years back – it uses a sticker (which is pasted at the back of your passport) that contains a barcode and is scanned by the Malaysia customs officer to expedite the custom clearance. More importantly, it eradicates the need for any white form.
MACS Booth at Holiday Plaza
For a very limited time, you can apply MACS for your entire family at Holiday Plaza, Johor Bahru! From now till 15th Nov 2011 (includes weekends but excludes holidays), from 11am to 7pm daily, the Immigration Department of Malaysian has set up a booth at Holiday Plaza (just outside Guardian pharmacy) to process your application ON THE SPOT. This means that you can also receive the required stickers ON THE SPOT. Application is super fast and does not require any photographs (as they will scan off the photograph image from your passport directly for the MACS sticker).
MACS Brochure
Finally, time to say bye-bye to white cards. And no more cars will be cursing behind you, should you realise that you did not fill up the white card for the entire family only at the Johor Bahru custom booth itself.
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October 29th, 2011
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