14 held in Johor for dodging passport checks despite new system
JOHOR BARU: Despite the millions invested in automating border clearance at the two land borders with Singapore, locals continue to sneak out of the country illegally, primarily using motorcycles.
Many take advantage of peak hours by attempting to use the manual or closed counters to exit the country without presenting their passports to Immigration officers for verification.
The manual counters are designated for individuals experiencing difficulties with the QR codes associated with the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe), which operates through the MyNIISe mobile app or the MyBorderPass app.
A Home Ministry official revealed that Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) officers nabbed 14 Malaysians trying to leave the country without stamping their passports at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (BSI) here over the past few days.
“The biggest arrests involved 13 people, comprising nine men and four women in one day.
“All suspects, aged between their 20s and 50s, have been remanded to assist with the investigations,” the official said, adding that another local in his 20s was arrested at BSI several days later.
All motorcycles involved were seized to assist in the investigation.
The official said the motorcyclists and pillion riders claimed ignorance, saying they were rushing for work.
The official acknowledged that several of the seven motorcycle lanes equipped with the new NIISe system were “not stable”, which led many motorcyclists to choose between the 16 lanes available through the MyBorderPass application or the remaining 77 manual counters.
Presently, the NIISe and MyBorderPass QR codes are not interchangeable.
All in all, BSI has a total of 100 counters for motorcycles, with 50 for entry and exit, while the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ Complex at the Second Link has 50 counters, comprising 25 for entry and exit.
The official advised motorcyclists using the two land checkpoints with Singapore not to resort to “shortcuts” when entering or exiting, as it was a serious offence under the Immigration Act.
“Offenders face a hefty fine or jail time for not stopping to produce their passports,” the official said.
The Immigration Department has nabbed and charged both Malaysians and Singaporeans during special operations for attempting to enter Singapore at the two land checkpoints without presenting their passports.
