Johor Bahru: The number of foreign-registered vehicles entering Johor is expected to increase by 10 to 15 per cent during the Chinese New Year celebrations, particularly via the Johor Causeway and the Second Link (Linkedua). Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar said that the surge could see up to 100,000 vehicles entering the state through all land routes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kumar noted that congestion is anticipated, especially at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) in Johor Bahru and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Iskandar Puteri. To address this, sufficient officers and personnel have been deployed to manage and minimise the congestion. He highlighted Johor's unique situation, stating that apart from highway congestion, emphasis is also being placed on the BSI and KSAB entry points, where heavy traffic is expected. Kumar affirmed that they are fully prepared to handle the situation.

Kumar was addressing reporters after the Johor Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Road Safety Advocacy programme, organised in collaboration with the Johor Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), as part of the 'Op Selamat' campaign ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations, at the Kempas Toll Plaza (northbound).

Kumar mentioned that the police had identified 49 hotspot locations prone to congestion and 31 blackspot areas where accidents frequently occur, which will be prioritised during the festive period. A total of 1,767 personnel, including 208 officers and 1,559 members, have been mobilised to handle various assignments, with 57 officers and 579 personnel from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department.

Enforcement efforts will focus on several traffic offences, such as speeding, driving in emergency lanes, overtaking on double lines, queue-cutting, disobeying traffic lights, and using mobile devices while driving. Kumar also urged the public to inform the police of their holiday travel plans through the Balik Kampung Information Form, available at the nearest police station or via the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) application.

Meanwhile, on Jan 20, Bernama reported that Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) anticipated heavy traffic at the BSI and KSAB checkpoints, from Jan 24 to Feb 2, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.