Select counters at Johor Bahru's immigration checkpoint to close for upgrading from 15 Dec to 15 Jan

MALAYSIA — Several counters at the bus zone of Sultan Iskandar Building's immigration checkpoint in Johor Bahru will undergo staggered closures for upgrades starting from 15 December.

These counters, comprising both manual and e-gates, will be temporarily closed until 15 January next year, as announced by the Johor immigration in a Facebook post on Tuesday (12 December).

Closure and renovation plan for departure hall counters

The closures of departure hall counters will occur in three phases:

• Phase 1 starts on 15 December, and will involve the closure of e-gate counters numbered 1 to 3 as well as manual counters numbered 1 to 4. The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) counter, which enables visitors to enrol and authenticate their passports for e-gate usage upon departure, will also be closed during this period.

• Phase 2 will commence on 21 December, and involves closing e-gate counters numbered 1 to 6 and manual counters numbered 11 to 18.

• Phase 3 is scheduled for 28 December, affecting manual counters numbered 3 to 12.

Furthermore, a renovation plan is set for the same counters in the arrival hall. This refurbishment will occur in three phases: 28 December, 3 January, and 9 January.

Singaporean tourists continue to boost Malaysia's tourism

This decision coincides with the school holidays, a period when travel activity typically surges between Malaysia and Singapore.

Bernama reported that, according to the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry, Malaysia is anticipated to welcome approximately 7.8 million visits from Singaporean tourists this year.

Presently, Singapore holds the top spot as Malaysia's largest contributor to tourist arrivals, with over 4.5 million arrivals recorded up until July 2023.

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