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ICA refutes report that Woodlands Checkpoint power outage resulted in Causeway, JB congestion

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In short

Border delays began when scheduled electrical works at the Old Woodlands Checkpoint suspended incoming lorry clearances between 10am and 2pm, creating an initial cargo buildup before operations resumed at 4pm. Traffic conditions subsequently worsened during the evening rush hour after two separate lorries broke down on the Malaysian side of the Causeway. Malaysian authorities responded by deploying additional police personnel and opening extra traffic lanes to relieve the severe gridlock.

Key points

  • The border agency confirmed that planned facility maintenance and vehicle breakdowns caus…: The border agency confirmed that planned facility maintenance and vehicle breakdowns caused the congestion rather than a power failure.
  • Cargo operations resumed at the old facility around 4pm before multiple vehicle breakdown…: Cargo operations resumed at the old facility around 4pm before multiple vehicle breakdowns obstructed the evening commute.
  • The immobilized lorries were cleared in stages at 9:50pm on Wednesday and 12:22am on Thur…: The immobilized lorries were cleared in stages at 9:50pm on Wednesday and 12:22am on Thursday morning.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

In its account of what happened, ICA said a build-up of Singapore-bound traffic occurred amid planned electrical maintenance works, while two vehicle breakdowns on the Malaysian side of the Causeway subsequently contributed to traffic tailing back into Malaysia.

SINGAPORE: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Thursday (Nov 5) refuted a report that a power outage at Woodlands Checkpoint caused traffic congestion along the Causeway and on several roads in Johor Bahru on Wednesday.

In its account of Wednesday's events, ICA said a build-up of Singapore-bound traffic occurred amid planned electrical maintenance works, while two vehicle breakdowns on the Malaysian side of the Causeway subsequently contributed to traffic tailing back into Malaysia.

Malaysian newspaper The Star had earlier reported that the congestion, which it said began at about noon on Wednesday, was caused by a "massive power outage" at Woodlands Checkpoint.

In response to queries from CNA, an ICA spokesperson said: "ICA would like to clarify that no power outage was experienced at Woodlands Checkpoint on that date."

The spokesperson said that the works were carried out at the Old…

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