MyNIISe speeds up immigration clearance at Penang airport
GEORGE TOWN: Expecting long queues, Ray and Sandy Owens from Australia budgeted an hour to clear immigration at the Penang International Airport.
Instead, they were through in about 10 minutes using the National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe) and ended up idling at the airport while waiting for Ray’s brother to drive in from Batu Ferringhi.
Ray, 53, said his brother would usually leave home only after the plane landed because immigration clearance often took time.
“This time we called him to say we were done, but he was still driving through the holiday traffic.
“So we just hung around the airport,” said the engineer at the arrival hall on Friday.
Ray said he did not realise he could use the auto-gate system, but noticed others moving through quickly.
“It took us just a few minutes to collect our bags and clear checks.
“I’ve waited in line here before, so this is a good change. I’ll tell my brother to come earlier next time,” he said.
On Thursday, state tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai announced that the autogate system had been fully implemented and opened to international visitors.
He said MyNIISe would shorten waiting times for arrivals and departures.
Foreign tourists from 72 countries can use the system for departures, while arrivals are open to visitors from 64 selected countries and all Malaysians, he added.
Wong said first-time entrants and those with passport chip issues must undergo manual processing to record biometric data.
There are five auto-gates at departures and six at arrivals. A second phase this year will increase the number in each hall to 12, he said.
The rollout comes after congestion was reported at the airport on Feb 5 following a surge in flights.
The Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) clarified that all arrival counters were operating that day, but a spike in passenger numbers led to long queues.
Penang AKPS commander Zuhair Jamaludin was quoted on Feb 6 as saying that 24 flights carrying nearly 3,000 passengers landed between 3pm and 11pm, including those involving Spring Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and China Southern Airlines.
The additional passengers on that day had led to long delays.
MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said recurring complaints over immigration clearance must be addressed.
“It is not isolated. Visitors have queued for one to two hours.
“Last week, friends arrived from Xiamen, China, at 6.45pm, only cleared immigration around 9pm.
“The lengthy wait tarnished the state’s image. Concrete measures are needed,” he said.
