August 5, 2024
JOHOR BARU – More than 30,000 people have registered for the new QR code system for Malaysian motorcyclists to expedite immigration clearance at the border crossing with Singapore.
The trial run for the new system, MyBorderPass, started at the end of last month at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (BSI) complex in Johor Baru.
This new application is expected to replace the problematic MBike system for motorcycles.
The MBike system started about eight years ago.
The latest system will be the third to be tested for various segments of Malaysians, using both land checkpoints with Singapore.
To date, more than 250,000 Malaysians have registered for all three systems.
The first system was the MyTrip application, which went live on June 1 for those using the Sultan Abu Bakar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in the Second Link, while another system, MyRentas, started several weeks later at BSI.
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It is learnt that MyBorderPass is the first facial recognition system being tested for motorcyclists in the country.
Home Ministry officials said motorcyclists could still scan their QR code if facial recognition is faulty.
“There will be two gantries at each lane and the rider and his pillion will either need to scan or use the QR code to open the gantry.
“The system determines whether a motorcycle is carrying one or two persons using AI cameras,” the official said, adding that in the future, the government hopes to have only one system to manage both land checkpoints.
Meanwhile, Johor works, transportation, infrastructure and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, when contacted, confirmed that the three systems are now on trial and their proof-of-concept (POC) period is expected to end on Aug 31.
The first application, MyTrip, embedded within the MySejahtera mobile app, started on June 1, while MyRentas started on June 23.
According to Mohamad Fazli, the vendors must resolve all teething issues during the POC period.
“Let us see which one is the most suitable for our checkpoints with Singapore,” he told The Star.
He added that he will be visiting BSI soon to check on the implementation of the new MyBorderPass system for motorcyclists, which includes three lanes entering Malaysia and three lanes leaving.
He assured the public that, in addition to QR code applications, there are other means to clear immigration, including egates and manual counters.
According to reports, the MyTrip and MyRentas QR code applications can cut the checkpoint clearance time for a bus full of passengers by more than 75%.The new systems will help clear an average of about 20 passengers in less than five minutes.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced a three-month POC period beginning June 1 that will initially apply to Malaysian motorcycle and bus passengers.