MALAYSIA officially opened a massive RM$1.3 billion (S$550 million) border checkpoint in Johor Baru yesterday in an effort to ease congestion across the Causeway.

The complex, which has 76 lanes for cars and 100 for motorcycles, replaces an ageing crossing that was subject to frequent complaints from travellers.

The new checkpoint, called the Sultan Iskandar Complex, is bigger and better than the current Johor customs, immigration and quarantine complex, officials said.

It was opened during a ceremony attended by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Sultan of Johor.

The checkpoint is scheduled to open to Malaysia-bound cars and motorcycles from today, according to a circular given out to motorists. Singapore-bound traffic will be allowed through on Dec 15.

The towering, multi-storey facility is expected to process nine million travellers annually.

PM Badawi said the opening of the complex was a historic event and the structure, built on a 113-ha site, would become a major landmark.

It will operate round the clock and house 21 Malaysian state agencies.

Meanwhile, in Singapore, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority yesterday opened more lanes at the old Woodlands checkpoint and extended the facility's operating hours.

Currently, the crossing is being used by trucks and lorries.

The move is part of a plan to speed up border crossings, which can take lorry and truck drivers up to five hours to clear.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Dec 2,, 2008.

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