Johor bahru: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) will operate at maximum capacity at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) to facilitate the return of voters from Singapore for the 16th Johor state election this Saturday (July 11).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, its director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain stated that the initiative includes opening dedicated lanes, activating hybrid counters, and implementing contra-flow lanes to ensure smooth traffic flow and traveller movement at the country's two main land entry points. The operations will commence on Friday, focusing on the arrival zones, which are anticipated to see an increase in travellers ahead of polling day.
At BSI, the measures will include 38 inbound counters at the car zone, the full operation of 35 e-gates, two quick response (QR) code counters, and 18 manual counters. Meanwhile, at KSAB, 24 counters will be opened at the car zone, with 18 to 24 e-gate and manual counters operational at the bus zone.
Mohd Shuhaily mentioned that dedicated lanes will operate round the clock on Friday, whereas on polling day, Saturday, they will be open from 12.01 am until 6 pm. Hybrid counters and contra-flow lanes will be activated to manage high traffic volume during peak periods, particularly on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
Based on past experiences during the 2022 Johor state election, Mohd Shuhaily expects a slight increase in cross-border traffic, as many Johoreans working in Singapore are daily commuters. However, they anticipate voters to start returning as early as Friday. If congestion at the BSI bus hall becomes extraordinary, contingency measures, including contra-flow lanes, will allow more manual counters and autogates to be opened.
Moreover, if the passenger hall reaches capacity, AKPS is prepared to open the Golden Service counter area at the bus lanes to segregate traveller categories based on operational needs. The BSI passenger halls can accommodate about 1,500 people at any one time, but with existing facilities, its capacity can reach up to 6,400 people per hour.
AKPS is also collaborating with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) at KSAB to ensure smooth bus flow, ease congestion, and manage passenger movement. All system upgrades, scheduled maintenance, and preventive works have been postponed on July 10 and 11 to facilitate the election process.
Coordination sessions with Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at the Woodlands Checkpoint have been held to ensure orderly immigration clearance operations on both sides of the border. AKPS data from January to May 2026 shows that BSI recorded between 300,000 and 350,000 daily traveller movements, with Malaysians making up 67 percent and Singaporeans 29.5 percent.
The experience gained from this state election will serve as a reference for future operations at the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, expected to become a preferred transport mode for voters. The public is advised to plan their journeys in advance and follow updates on the situation at BSI and KSAB border checkpoints via the AKPS Corporate and Communications Unit's official Facebook pages.
The Johor state election will see 172 candidates contesting 56 state assembly seats, with polling set for this Saturday.