SINGAPORE – Those who are planning to travel to Malaysia via the land checkpoints from Oct 17 to Oct 20 should expect long queues for immigration clearance, in light of the Deepavali long weekend.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in an advisory on Oct 13 that the longer waiting times at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints can also be owed to its “intensified checks against” e-vaporisers.
Over the school holidays from Sept 5 to Sept 15, over 5.8 million travellers crossed both land checkpoints.
At the peak during that period, more than 575,000 travellers crossed both land checkpoints on Sept 5, said ICA, adding that travellers in cars had to wait up to three hours during peak periods for clearance, due to traffic tailbacks from Malaysia.
Travellers should check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints beforehand, said ICA, adding that they can consider taking the cross-border bus services to avoid congestion.
Motorists can check the traffic situation via the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) OneMotoring website or the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System installed on the BKE and AYE.
They can also get updates through ICA’s Facebook and X accounts, and radio broadcasts on Money FM 89.3, One FM 91.3, Kiss92, 96.3 Hao FM and UFM100.3.
Travellers should use QR codes instead of passports for faster and more convenient immigration clearance, ICA said. They must still need to bring their passports along, as they may be required overseas.
ICA reminded that vaping and possession of e-vaporisers are prohibited in Singapore.
Since Sept 1, those caught with e-vaporisers will face higher penalties, while short-term visitors who re-offend will be banned from re-entering Singapore.
Long-term pass holders who re-offend may have their passes revoked on a third offence, and face deportation and a ban from re-entering Singapore.
Those found jumping queues will be turned away and made to re-queue, ICA said.
