SEPANG, Jan 11 — The use of the Quick Response (QR) code system through the MyBorderPass app will be extended to Asean travellers departing Malaysia.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it is the responsibility of the Immigration Department to ensure a smooth arrival and departure processes at the country’s main entry points, given Malaysia’s role as Asean chairman this year.
“Malaysia is serving as Asean chairman this year. It is the responsibility of the Home Ministry (KDN), particularly the Immigration Department, as directed by the Prime Minister, to ensure seamless operations at all major entry points.
“This year, we will host nearly 400 meetings at officer, senior officer, ministerial, and heads of state levels, managed by Wisma Putra and KDN.
“For the entry process, they (Asean travellers) use the usual system, but for the exit process, we allow them to use the QR code,” he told the press after inspecting the MyBorderPass QR Code Gate operations and Smart Q System implementation at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 today.
Saifuddin added that at the moment, the QR code system can only be used by Malaysians for entry and exit at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2.
As of now, 40 QR code autogate units have been installed — 20 units at KLIA Terminal 1 and 20 at Terminal 2 — for arrivals and departures, with a RM19.2 million installation cost.
“To date, 400,000 Malaysians have downloaded the MyBorderPass app to facilitate the use of the QR code clearance system.
“Users only need to log in, and this system enables clearance to be completed (with an average of four seconds),” he said.
Travellers are still required to carry their passports, but no manual stamping would be done because the information is stored electronically.
So far, 55,000 users have been recorded using the system within 11 days since its launch on Jan 1.
Saifuddin said the government plans to expand the QR code system to other major international airports, including those in Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and Langkawi.
Sharing his experience with the QR code system, the minister said that immigration clearance was completed in just four seconds, compared to the usual 15 to 25 seconds with conventional automatic gates.
He was speaking before leaving for Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates this morning, where he was scheduled to join the Prime Minister on an official visit.
— Bernama
