Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands, Tuas checkpoints during Deepavali long weekend
A single-day record of 599,000 travellers was set on Sept 4 during the recent school holidays.
Travellers preparing to enter Malaysia during the Deepavali long weekend may face significant traffic congestion and extended wait times at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, according to a recent advisory from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The advisory, issued on November 1, encourages travelers to plan their journey in advance and consider traveling during non-peak hours between November 6 and November 9, as Deepavali, which falls on Sunday, November 8, is a public holiday in 2026.
ICAsaid that travelers should verify the traffic conditions at both checkpoints before commencing their journey. The heightened security measures implemented since February 28, prompted by global security concerns, particularly recent events in the Middle East, are likely contributing to the anticipated delays. During the recent school holidays from September 4 to 14, over 6.1 million travelers crossed the two checkpoints, with a peak of more than 599,000 crossings on September 4, setting a new single-day record that surpassed the previous high of over 598,000 crossings on June 19.
Car drivers opting to travel during peak hours, such as early mornings and late evenings, can expect to face wait times of up to three hours for immigration clearance, ICA emphasized. The public is also cautioned that penalties will be enforced against those who disobey officers' instructions or violate traffic regulations at the checkpoints.
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