Drivers keen on fast car lanes with QR code clearance

Daily congestion: Crowded conditions seen at the Johor Causeway as Malaysians working in Singapore travel back home in this file photo. — Bernama

JOHOR BARU: The expansion of the QR code system for immigration clearance for cars at Malay­sia’s land checkpoints will help ease congestion and improve cross-border efficiency, say frequent travellers between Johor and Singapore.

Self-employed Henry Goh, who regularly drives across the border for work, welcomed the move, saying it was long overdue.

“At the moment, only travellers using motorcycles and buses can enjoy QR code immigration clea­rance at our checkpoints.

“My friends who ride their motor­cycles from Johor Baru 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,” said the 49-year-old.

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While congestion at the car lanes has been reduced compared to previous years, Goh believes the QR code system will help speed up the process further.

He noted that Singapore’s land checkpoints already allow QR code clearance for cars, motorcycles, buses and lorries, making Malaysia’s adoption of the system an important step in keeping up with regional efficiency.

“If we can resolve congestion issues at our land checkpoints, it will leave a good impression on investors, particularly those invol­ved in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone,” he said.

Medical sales representative Aina Yunus, 31, also saw the move as a positive one, saying it would cut down waiting times at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Cus­toms, Immigration and Quaran­tine Complex (BSI CIQ).

“When my husband drove our family of four to Singapore recently, it took about 10 minutes to clear Immigration at the counter.

“The officer had to call out our names to match with our passports before scanning each document manually.

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“With the QR code system, I believe the process will be much smoother and more efficient,” said the mother of two.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minis­ter Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced that the QR code system will be expanded to car lanes this year.

After chairing a special committee meeting to address congestion at the Johor Causeway in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, he said testing for car lanes will begin soon, given that the proof of concept exercise for motorcycles and buses had been successful.

At present, it takes only three seconds for each motorcycle rider or bus passenger to clear immigration using QR codes, he added.