Simsudin says the drive-through immigration checks at the Labuan roll-on, roll-off ferry were not practical due to limited space. — Bernama
Sabah and Labuan PKR have appealed to the Home Ministry to review immigration checks at the ferry terminals of Labuan and Menumbok.
They claim that immigration checks have slowed down the boarding and disembarking process of passengers, which can also lead to a decline in visitors to the duty-free island from mainland Sabah.
Sabah PKR secretary Simsudin Sidek said the immigration checks at the two terminals had caused a long queue and inconvenience to travellers, especially senior citizens and parents with small children.
“We hope the Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution will look into this matter,” he said.
Simsudin also said the drive-through immigration checks at the Labuan roll-on, roll-off ferry were not practical due to the limited space in the terminal building and the narrow road towards the ferry.
The Home Ministry on Sept 10 had directed the Immigration Department to enforce stricter control at the two Labuan ferry terminals, especially for non-Sabahan travellers bound for the Sabah mainland.
Its former minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said stricter immigration checks at the terminals were at the request of the Sabah government.
Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Rithuan Ismail said they will stick to the drive-through concept where drivers and passengers are not required to get out of their vehicles for immigration and travel document checks.
He was commenting on complaints that drivers and passengers were still required to go to the immigration counter for document checks, despite using the drive-through method. — Bernama
