KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 — The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Passports (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the implementation of the Advance Passenger Screening System (APSS) and the full integration of biometric data would enable the government to screen travellers 72 hours before they arrive in Malaysia.
The measures align with international security standards and are necessary to ensure the country’s border control remains relevant and responsive to emerging threats.
“The implementation of APSS will also help reduce counter-setting issues and simplify processes involving human interaction. All data will be stored for immigration purposes only and is subject to the Personal Data Protection Act and the Official Secrets Act,” he said when winding up debate on the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2025 today.
The main objectives of the bill are to introduce new provisions on the use of automated systems and the control of the entrance and exit of any person into or from Malaysia by train.
Meanwhile, Shamsul said the Passports (Amendment) Bill 2025 complements the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The amendments aim to streamline immigration processes using biometric identification, automated gates, and QR codes without compromising national security.
The measures are also designed to improve service quality, strengthen data and officer integrity, and reduce congestion at immigration counters.
Clause 2 is a consequential amendment to the proposed amendments of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which requires every person entering or leaving Malaysia to be examined by the immigration officer or through an automated system.
