Border reopens: Malaysia welcomes travellers after two years

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia has welcomed its first batch of travellers from across the Causeway following the reopening of the two land borders here.

After the clock struck midnight, dozens of people could be seen walking out of the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) at both the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Gelang Patah and Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) in Johor Baru here.

The travelers received a warm welcome from state executive councillors at both the CIQs in Johor.

At BSI, Johor youth, sports, entrepreneurs development, cooperatives and human resources committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, state health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon and state works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh were seen welcoming the travelers.

Meanwhile, at KSAB, they were greeted by Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor and state education, information and communications committee chairman Norliza Noh.

Mohd Jafni have also spent about half an hour monitoring the area together with the authorities before presenting goodie bags to those who came through the immigration counter.

Family members were also seen waiting eagerly for their loved ones near the two buildings as early as 11pm on Thursday (March 31).

Some people also waited for hours at the CIQ in Johor Baru for the border to reopen so that they could make their way to Singapore.

Over at the Woodlands checkpoint less than an hour before the reopening, thousands of people were queuing up to enter Malaysia.