Malaysia

Johor MB vows improvements at UTC Immigration offices after surprise ‘spot check’

Immediate measures include upgrading number system, waiting space, opening hours, says Onn Hafiz Ghazi

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 23 May 2022 5:14PM

Johor MB vows improvements at UTC Immigration offices after surprise ‘spot check’
Long queues witnessed by Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Johor chief minister at Setia Tropika immigration office (pic). The official conducted a ‘spot check’ at the branch today after hearing complaints from public. – @onnhafiz Twitter pic, May 23, 2022

by Amar Shah Mohsen

KUALA LUMPUR – Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has promised improvements to the long queues at Immigration offices statewide, after a surprise visit to one of the branches. 

The Umno lawmaker said among the measures that will be taken immediately are to improve the queue and numbering system as well as provide a more comfortable waiting space for the public.

Additionally, he said two immigration offices at Urban Transformation Centres (UTC) – Kota Raya and Pasir Gudang – have been ordered to open seven days a week from 8am to 10pm. 

Other venues will also see their operating hours extended to 10pm daily from Sunday to Thursday, and up to 12.30pm on Saturdays. 

He said this in a series of tweets today after meeting with Johor Immigration director Baharuddin Tahir. 

The meeting was held after Onn Hafiz conducted a “spot check” at the Setia Tropika immigration office this morning to look into public complaints of long waiting lines for passport-related matters. 

“The situation in Setia Tropika immigration has been like since May 1. This cannot persist. The Johor Immigration director has been asked to meet with me today,” he said earlier.

His visit to the location today follows his earlier posts on Twitter yesterday, saying he took note of the grouses raised by the public who are concerned by the extremely long queues at immigration offices.

His tweets have garnered numerous positive responses from netizens, who commended the menteri besar for taking the initiative to look into the matter. 

Onn Hafiz’s spot check comes just three days after he travelled “undercover” as an ordinary citizen from the Johor Baru Sentral integrated transport hub to Singapore to experience the services and identify weaknesses. 

Following the visit, he said there are many rooms for improvements and vowed to ensure a better travelling experience for the millions who visit the republic state each year.

Last Saturday, Onn Hafiz chaired a meeting with several government agencies, including from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Customs Department, Immigration, and the Land Public Transport Agency to discuss the matter. 

“Many consumer issues need to be resolved immediately. There are also several issues that do not make sense that have gotten the attention of the MACC, which will be further investigated.

“A full report on the issues as well as solutions will be tabled to me in two weeks’ time,” he had said. – The Vibes, May 23, 2022

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