Malaysia to Pilot QR Code Passport Clearance for Factory Bus Passengers at Johor Checkpoints

Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs is set to launch a pilot initiative in June 2024 that will allow Malaysian citizens traveling to Singapore on factory buses, known as 'bas kilangs', to clear immigration using QR codes at both of Johor's land checkpoints. The move follows the successful implementation of a similar QR code system by Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in March 2023 for those traveling by car on the Singapore side of the land border.

Under the new system, immigration officers equipped with handheld QR scanners will board the buses and clear passengers' immigration using the QR code system, instead of having them go through the regular immigration counters. Travelers will be able to create individual or group QR codes to scan, which is expected to halve the average processing time from 3 minutes to 1.5 minutes per passenger.

The pilot scheme will initially apply only to Malaysian citizens traveling to Singapore on factory buses, which transport around 400-500 workers daily. The trial run will be held at the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Johor Baru and the Second Link Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar in Gelang Patah before a wider implementation. Passengers will still be required to bring their passports as the QR code systems in Malaysia and Singapore are not yet integrated.

Why this matters: The QR code system is expected to help alleviate the longstanding traffic congestion issues at the Johor-Singapore Causeway, one of the busiest land crossings in the world. The initiative could significantly reduce travel time and ease congestion for the thousands of workers who commute daily between the two countries.

The Malaysian government plans to eventually expand the QR code system to include more travelers crossing the Johor-Singapore border. Malaysians who use the factory buses have welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a step towards improving the efficiency of border crossings.

Key Takeaways

• Malaysia to launch QR code immigration for factory buses to Singapore in June 2024.
• QR code system aims to halve immigration processing time from 3 to 1.5 minutes per passenger.
• Pilot scheme to start at Johor Baru and Gelang Patah checkpoints before wider implementation.
• QR code system expected to alleviate traffic congestion at the Johor-Singapore Causeway.
• Malaysia plans to eventually expand the QR code system to more travelers crossing the border.