JOHOR BARU: The world’s busiest land crossing just got busy again with the reopening of the Causeway after two years

       Over at the Woodlands Causeway checkpoint, thousands of people were already queuing patiently to enter Malaysia less than an hour before the reopening officially started at midnight last night.

       There were scenes of motorcyclists packed tightly along the ramp into Malaysia, while pedestrians were seen waiting patiently to get across the Causeway.

       A long line of vehicles were also seen.

       At the stroke of midnight, the cars and motorcyclists flowed over the border while people shared over social media video clips of them walking along the Causeway.

       People could be seen walking out of the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at both the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Gelang Patah and Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) in Johor Baru here.

       The travellers received a warm welcome from Johor state executive councillors at both the CIQs at the Johor side.

       Family members were also seen waiting eagerly for their loved ones near the two buildings as early as 11pm yesterday.

       Singapore-based Andrew Tan was one of the thousands of people who entered Malaysia at the stroke of midnight.

       For the 34-year-old, who used to commute daily between Johor and Singapore before the Covid-19 pandemic, the reopening of the Malaysia and Singapore border is like a dream come true.

       He was eager to see his family, especially his two young children.

       Tan said he did not mind being stuck in a jam along the Johor Causeway at midnight, as he had taken time off to be with his family.

       He added that the reopening of the border would also allow him to save on room rental and meals.

       “Each month I had to fork out about S$1,200 (RM3,700) for room rental and expenses (in Singapore).

       “It has been a difficult time since the border closure two years ago. I’ve only been back three times in the last two years,” he said, adding that he does not plan to give up his room (in Singapore) yet as he is still unsure as to how the situation or traffic congestion would be on the Johor Causeway due to the new standard operating procedures (SOP).

       Tan said once border movement is smooth again, he would return to commuting daily between Johor and Singapore.