After arriving hours before your scheduled flight, going through security and waiting to disembark the aeroplane, the last thing any traveller wants to do is see a long queue at immigration.
Thankfully, the Malaysian government will be installing 40 additional autogates at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2 to tackle congestion.
New Autogates To Be Installed At KLIA And Penang Airport
The news was shared by Malaysia’s Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail during a press conference.
He added that more autogates will also be installed at Penang International Airport.
“We are at the final stages of adding 40 new autogate units for KLIA 1 and 2, to be used at both terminals, with plans for similar enhancements at Penang. Given the current high volume of international flights and media reports on airport congestion, these additions are necessary,” he said.
He also pointed out that the initiative aligns with Malaysia’s preparations as the host of the Asean Summit next year.
At present, both airports have 10 autogates each at the departure and arrival halls.
Discussions have been initiated with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to ensure that the autogates are installed in a timely manner to address the congestion.
Singaporeans Can Use Autogates At KLIA
Lest you’re unaware, travellers from Singaporeans can make use of the automated entry system (autogate) at KLIA.
Previously, only Malaysians were able to use the autogate facilities when entering and leaving the country.
The initiative was meant to address congestion and long queues at KLIA.
When it was first announced, Saifuddin had explained, “The Immigration Department is extremely concerned over the long queues at our entry points, especially at KLIA.”
He added that “entry points are the first impression of our country to the foreigners.”
Other than Singaporeans, travellers from Brunei, Australia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United States and the United Kingdom can also make use of the autogates.
Other Efforts To Ease Congestion
The Malaysian government has also made other efforts to ease congestion for travellers crossing the Johor-Singapore causeway.
For instance, trials for travellers to use a unique QR code to scan at immigration counters instead of passports have begun at Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB).
This is expected to cut the immigration clearance time by half, benefitting around 400,000 daily travellers.
The QR code system is meant to simplify and expedite the immigration process and in turn ease congestion at the border.
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