PUTRAJAYA, May 16 — Travellers from 36 low-risk countries will be allowed to use the autogate for immigration clearance at all entry points from June 1.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the move would expedite immigration clearance without compromising security measures, and address congestion at the country’s entry points.
The latest additions bring the total number of countries allowed to use the facility to 46. Among the new countries/regions are the European Union, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, China, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“Last year, to alleviate congestion during consecutive flight arrivals, especially during peak hours, one of the initiatives we announced was allowing visitors from 10 low-risk countries to undergo immigration clearance via autogate. The autogate only takes 10 to 15 seconds.
“It is the responsibility of the Home Ministry, particularly the Immigration Department, to ensure the arrival procedures for travellers are smooth and seamless,” he told a press conference here today.
Last year, the ministry allowed visitors from 10 low-risk countries — the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Brunei and Saudi Arabia — to use the autogate facility.
Saifuddin said from January 1, 2023, until last month, the Immigration Department recorded 40 million visitor arrivals, with 30.5 million arriving via Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals 1 and 2, and Johor’s Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex in Iskandar Puteri.
He said autogate use will be available to diplomatic staff posted to Malaysia, as well as their families.
He added that his ministry and the Immigration Department have discussed with Wisma Putra methods to obtain details of diplomats and their families in Malaysia.
The ministry is also drafting several initiatives to address congestion at Malaysia's entry points, especially at the Johor Causeway.
These issues will be discussed and finalised in a meeting scheduled for this month.
According to the Immigration Department, the Johor Causeway recorded an average daily mobility of nearly 350,000, with the majority of them being workers taking buses and motorcycles.
"We believe that the immigration clearance process can no longer be sustained with the current system; we must be proactive and explore and innovate using various other systems.
"The Home Ministry will make a series of announcements soon," Saifuddin said, adding that among the improvements being considered is the use of QR codes.
— Bernama
