Drivers keen on QR code clearance for cars at Malaysia’s land checkpoints
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On March 3, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof announced that the QR code system will be expanded to car lanes this year.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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JOHOR BAHRU – The expansion of the QR code system for immigration clearance to cars at Malaysia’s land checkpoints will help ease congestion and improve cross-border efficiency, say frequent travellers between Johor and Singapore.
On March 3, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof announced that the QR code system will be expanded to car lanes this year.
After chairing a special committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur to address the issue of congestion at the Johor Causeway, he said testing for car lanes would begin soon, given that the proof-of-concept exercise for motorcycles and buses had been successful.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail separately said in Parliament on March 4 that the move may benefit travellers from 63 countries and those holding the long-term visit pass.
Mr Henry Goh, who is self-employed and regularly drives across the border for work, welcomed the move, saying it is long overdue.
“At the moment, only travellers using motorcycles and buses can enjoy QR code immigration clearance at our checkpoints.
“My friends who ride their motorcycles from Johor Bahru to Singapore daily have given positive feedback about the system, which allows them to clear immigration within seconds. Hopefully, it will be just as seamless for cars,” added the 49-year-old.
While congestion at the car lanes has been reduced compared to previous years, Mr Goh believes the QR code system will help speed up the process.
It now takes only three seconds for each motorcyclist or bus passenger to clear immigration using QR codes
Mr Goh noted that Singapore’s land checkpoints already allow QR code clearance for cars, motorcycles, buses and lorries,
“If we can resolve congestion issues at our land checkpoints, it will leave a good impression on investors, particularly those involved in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone,” he said.
Medical sales representative Aina Yunus, 31, sees the move as positive, saying it will cut down waiting times at the Sultan Iskandar Building.
“When my husband drove our family of four to Singapore recently, it took about 10 minutes to clear immigration at the counter.
“The officer had to call out our names to match with our passports before scanning each document manually. With the QR code system, I believe the process will be much smoother and more efficient,” said the mother of two.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin pointed out in Parliament on March 4 that the QR code system is currently used only by Malaysians at immigration borders, but the autogates there allow “travellers from the 63 countries and Asean countries, including those with long-term visit passes, to use it”.
He added that presently, about 172 immigration officers are stationed at Malaysia’s immigration counters.
“But, when the (QR code) system is fully installed, there will only be 68 staff. We will have a reduction of labour of nearly 60 per cent,” Mr Saifuddin said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
