Causeway stays with improved checkpoints

Automated facilities will be put up by end-2016.

In a speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, he said efforts to expedite immigration and customs clearance must be balanced against security considerations.

The Minister stressed, "We have a responsibility to Singaporeans to ensure that we maintain a stringent level of checks. And the Malaysian government has also had to step up its own security measures."

Here's more from Dr Balakrishnan's speech:

Progress is being made on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link. Both governments are working to improve congestion at the Causeway and at our borders.

We have conducted a joint study with the Malaysians. We have also done our own projections. The Causeway actually has sufficient capacity.

Replacing the Causeway is not the solution. Rather, the key is to continually enhance checkpoint efficiency and operations, through measures including the use of technology and improving the infrastructure at the checkpoints.

For example, ICA will be equipping all motorcycle clearance counters at our land checkpoints with automated facilities by the end of this year.