PUTRAJAYA : The Immigration Department's RM3.5bil national immigration control system (Skin) has been cancelled, said the Home Ministry.

Its minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the decision is to make way for the development of a new system that is comprehensive, effective and user friendly.

"We also want to develop a system that is value for money and that can save government funds," he announced at the Immigration Day celebration on Monday.

Muhyiddin said the project would be given a priority given the urgent need to improve the departments system.

On Nov 16, the minister had said that a new immigration system which is more secure, cost-effective and efficient would be developed.