THE Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex saw an unprecedented surge in traffic on Saturday, as over 17,000 individuals exited Malaysia for Thailand amidst school holidays and Hari Malaysia weekend travel.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasaruddin M Nasir, Commander of the Malaysian Border Control Agency (AKSM) at Bukit Kayu Hitam, said the spike in private vehicles was expected to last until 21 September and represented spillover traffic beyond AKSM’s standard control capacity.
Data released showed 17,030 people departed Malaysia via the checkpoint from 6am to midnight, of whom 15,718 were Malaysian citizens; the remainder comprised Thai nationals, Indonesians, Chinese, Indians and others. Only 4,941 were recorded entering Malaysia during the same period, bringing combined cross‑border movements to 21,971 people.
Mohd Nasaruddin said a Quick Response Team (QRT) was activated, with additional officers deployed and close cooperation with the Royal Malaysia Police, General Operations Force and other enforcement agencies to manage traffic. He reminded travellers that the checkpoint operates from 6am to midnight.
He urged the public to “plan their journeys earlier and fully cooperate with officers in the field,” adding that travellers must be patient and disciplined, especially in the ICQS complex, which is a restricted area.
He also thanked travellers for their patience and cooperation, and said AKSM is working closely with its Thai counterpart to ensure the border remains safe, orderly and well managed. - September 14, 2025
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