I WRITE out of sheer exasperation at the poor systems and processes at Tuas Checkpoint.

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what do you expect when thousands or vehicles are apporaching a location at one time...

Just don't go to Msia, problem solved

What about a system for peak periods where the drivers lock their cars (if alone) and get in a queue at the custom boot upfront? Once, the documentation/passport clearance is done the cars can drive forward for further processing like physical checks. All you need is one custom official to control the number of drivers to go forward to queue.

Who asked you to go during CNY? Next time fly there, more high class lah. Otherwise, please grin and bear it. It will do your character good. You will cultivate patience and perseverance.

C'mon, the congestion at both Woodlands and then later at Tuas is an age old problem. Until both governments on both sides of the pond really really really WANT to do something about it, then nuffin will change.
The reason is simple.
Government officials do not have to shuffle like sheep through the gantries and check points. Maybe if one day, one of them has to suffer the humiliation and exasperation that us mere mortals have to endure..then maybe they will find a solution. But don't hold your breath.
Right now, no one is listening to our cries and woes.
Right now, all we get is lip service from both sides. Yes, yes, but nothing done. After CNY and Xmas comes once a year, they may say.
But the problem exists EVERY DAY.
I believe its not that it cannot be resolved.
Its a case of governments on both sides..saying..why the devil should we?
All across Europe people are treated as tourists travelling from one country thru another like human beings. Immigration is smooth, fast, efficient and humane.
Enuf said.

It's a question of economics. What contributions to our economy (GDP) when people (Running dogs) go to spend our S$ in another country? Come on, use your common sense, if I were to be in control, I would do the same - to inconvenience as much as possible that eventually you give up driving up to fill your tanks with petrol and your boot to the brink with mega-markets sundry, thousands of dollars on sea-food dinners, massages, spa, hair cut and beauty treatments etc, etc. Protectionism is the name of the game and especially in such difficult time of financial turmoil and falling growth rate (GDP). Increase consumer spending must take place within one country.

The situation will not improve until everyone realises that if everyone wants to drive in to save a little bit of money and be stuck in a traffic for hours on end change their thinking. Why contribute to the economy of another country if you can do your part in your homeland? Does saving some 50 cents to 1 sing dollar good enough to make you having to suffer in a traffic jam? Does it make economic sense?

And the authority in question is not doing their best yet. We are being treated like herds of sheep like what sharlynrj says.

Hi,
This is John. For those who question why I chose to go during CNY, I am Malaysian and have been living in Singapore, contributing to this economy for 20 years. I have travelled across Woodlands and later on Tuas too for over 20 years, both for business and for recreation - including my 'balik kampung' for the New Year family reunion. I have seen how the situation has either not improved or even declined over that period.

Besides, many thousands of Singaporeans (including me) do business across the border, which also adds to our economy as we ultimately import things in or export things out based on the work we do across the border.

Don't forget that many people come across the border from Malaysia and add to our economy here too.

To describe those who choose to travel across the border as 'running dogs' or opportunists seeking to save a few cents here and there I have this to say:

i. Open your minds a little please. People have every right to travel where they want and for whatever reason. If we here in Singapore claim to be truly world-class, we should have world-class systems everywhere - even if it means helping people move across borders without fuss nor inconvenience. Otherwise we're no better than some third-world countries we claim to be better than.

ii. In this economic climate, why should we not look for ways to save money anyway? I don't shop across the border simply because I consume too little for it to be worthwhile. But even the British buy wines in France so why should Singaporeans be any different?

One thing I suspect that is hard for most people to swallow is that for once, the Malaysian side is actually more efficient than the Singapore side. If the situation I had described had applied to Changi Airport, I bet those who'd been dismissive here would sing a different tune.