Ahmad Zahid (third left) and Hamidah (third right) being briefed on the cold mix asphalt technology. Also seen from left are Khaled and Chua. — Bernama photo
SEGAMAT: Malaysia will discuss in detail with Singapore the proposal to introduce a single inspection centre on the Johor Causeway, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid said he would have a meeting with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean to discuss in detail the proposal on the single Customs and Immigration Inspection Centre.
“They (Singapore) must form an action body as carried out by Malaysia … I have not met with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister (Teo) because he is in the same position as I and we will discuss the matter in detail.
“Maybe the question of interpretation is different and this needs articulation from both parties between Malaysia and Singapore,”he said at a media conference after launching the project to rebuild the Yong Peng-Segamat federal road in Tenang, here yesterday.
Also present were Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin and Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Chua Tee Yong who is also the member of Parliament for Labis.
On Saturday, the media reported that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of Singapore rejected the proposal to introduce the single Immigration and Customs checkpoint at the Johor Causeway.
Ahmad Zahid said if the proposal could be implemented, the single checkpoint would play an important role in enabling a smooth flow of traffic and overcome the problem of congestion occurring at the Johor Causeway.
However, he said Malaysia should respect the security aspects feared by Singapore, ut did not foresee any problem for the suggestion to be implemented.
“We know that there is a bottle-neck at the Johor causeway and I have discussed with the Johor Menteri Besar for the state government as well as the federal government to tackle the issue together,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said that he had personally chaired the action body to tackle the congestion at the Johor Causeway and it was expected that RM100 million would be spent to upgrade the existing route to overcome the bottle-neck.
“We have agreed in principle that the cost would be shared together with the state government bearing 50 per cent while the other 50 per cent would be borne by the federal government,”he added. — Bernama