BERNAMA – MORE CAR HOLES AT KLIA TERMINAL 1, 2 AND PENANG AIRPORT

PUTRAJAYA, July 22 (Bernama) – The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), through the Department of Immigration (JIM), will increase the number of new automatic gate systems (autogates) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA Terminals 1 and 2) and Penang to ease congestion at entry points into the country.

Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said as many as 40 new automatic gates have been added at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2, taking the total to 80. Additional facilities in Penang are still being explored.

He said the move to expand the facility is also in line with the expansion of the autogate facility and also in preparation for Malaysia as ASEAN Chair in 2025 and Malaysia’s visit year in 2026.

“Now, the arrival of an international aircraft gets media attention when there is congestion. So we have negotiated with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) for additional car gates and we need more space.

“KDN Secretary-General Datuk Ruji Ubi will manage the tenders… We are also running behind time because next year we will take over the chairmanship of ASEAN. We have to manage that in such a way that there will be no congestion at the entry points,” he said at a press conference after the Immigration Day 2024 parade today.

Earlier, Saifuddin announced that visitors from an additional 36 low-risk countries will be allowed to use the automated gate at all entry points in countries that have the facility from June 1, 2024.

The facility covers all European Union (EU) countries, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, China, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, he said the use of the Quick Response Code (QR) system at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) of the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Johor had been well received by users.

From June 1 to July 18, a total of 197,901 bus passengers at BSI and 311,130 bus and motorcycle passengers at KSAB used the QR system.

“Thanks to the initiative, waiting times have been reduced by 70 to 80 percent.

“This number is expected to increase to further ease congestion at the Malaysia-Singapore border,” he said.

Saifuddin Nasution said that in the next phase, the system will be extended to all travellers, including non-citizens and long-term pass holders. Passengers travelling by car will also be able to use the system.

–BERNAMA

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