KUALA LUMPUR: A Foreign Digital Identity (FDID) comprising fingerprints, iris scans and facial recognition of foreign visitors is set to be introduced, says the Home Ministry.
The FDID will function as the sole digital identity for foreign visitors, and will be integrated with the centralised biometrics system.
“Each visitor will have a unique official record, making it difficult to falsify or manipulate.“This system also allows the entry and exit of foreign nationals to be tracked effectively,” the ministry said in a written reply on Wednesday (Oct 8).
The FDID was among the technological advancements currently being developed by the ministry to reduce human intervention during screenings at Malaysia’s entry points.
This comes on the back of various arrests made in connection with counter-setting activities at Malaysia’s borders.
18 of the 27 individuals detained by graft busters for alleged involvement in counter-setting recently are Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) officers.
The ministry added that a system aimed at screening airline passenger information up to 72 hours before departure is scheduled to be implemented this month.
The Advance Passenger Screening System (APSS) will be rolled out in phases and will first involve 10 airlines operating in Malaysia.
It will later be expanded comprehensively across more airlines next year.
According to the ministry, high-risk individuals can be detected through the APSS risk evaluation engine even before they board flights in their country of origin.
They will also undergo tighter screening upon arrival in Malaysia.
“This system will function as an efficient and first layer of border control,” it said.
The ministry added that a Risk Assessment Engine (RAE) is being developed as a solution within the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe).
“Here, data collected through the APSS will be scientifically and transparently analysed by the National Integrated Command Centre in Putrajaya, Sabah and Sarawak, which will begin operating in October this year.
“Through the RAE system, any decision on the entry of a visitor will no longer depend on human discretion but on a smart and consistent analysis instead,” it said.
The ministry added that this is vital in curbing misuse of powers or corruption at the country’s entry points.Autogate machine use will also be expanded as the main defence against counter-setting activities, the ministry said.
Currently, visitors from 63 countries can use the autogate system, alongside long-term pass holders.
Beginning this month, however, the autogate system will be expanded at all of the country’s main entry points before gradually expanding to cover the nation’s borders.
The autogate system will also be fully used for all visitors exiting the country.
“If a visitor is found to have overstayed, have an arrest warrant or is blacklisted, the autogate system will immediately halt the exit and the visitor will be referred to the Immigration Department.
“This approach removes any opportunity to ‘negotiate’ or illegitimately resolve the issue with officers at immigration counters,” it said.
Another measure, the ministry said, is mandating the use of body-worn cameras by all Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency officers on duty.
“Counters will also be monitored through smart closed-circuit television systems,” it said.
The ministry was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran), who asked about measures taken to overcome counter-setting issues at Immigration Department counters, apart from charging the perpetrators in court.
