QR code system at M'sia checkpoints set to be expanded to car lanes this year
The Quick Response (QR) code system for immigration clearance at Malaysia's land checkpoints will be extended to car lanes, with plans for implementation this year, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said on March 3.
He shared that the successful proof of concept for motorcycles and buses would now be followed by tests for car lanes.
"Once the procurement method is decided, we can expedite it. Our target is to extend the use of QR Codes to cars this year," he said at a press conference following a special committee meeting addressing congestion at the Causeway.
Mr Fadillah noted that motorcycles and buses using the QR code system take only three seconds to clear immigration.
Malaysia Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said at the same briefing that the task force had initially focused on motorcycles and buses, which make up 80 per cent of the 500,000 daily travellers between Malaysia and Singapore.
"Alleviating congestion means finding solutions for these two modes of transport," he said.
The expansion of the QR code immigration clearance system for vehicles at Malaysia's land checkpoints is expected to ease congestion and boost cross-border efficiency, according to frequent travellers between Johor and Singapore.
Mr Henry Goh, a self-employed individual who regularly drives across the border for work, welcomed the initiative, calling it long overdue.
"At the moment, only travellers on motorcycles and buses can enjoy QR code immigration clearance at our checkpoints," the 49-year-old Malaysian told The Star.
"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."
Mr Goh pointed out that Singapore's land checkpoints already offered QR code clearance for cars, motorcycles, buses and lorries, making Malaysia's adoption of the system an important step toward improving regional efficiency.
Medical sales representative Aina Yunus, 31, said: "When my husband drove our family of four to Singapore recently, it took about 10 minutes to clear the immigration. The officer had to call out our names to match our faces with our passports before scanning each document manually.
"With the QR code system, I believe the process will be much smoother and more efficient."
