Reduced congestion noted at Malaysia's borders following implementation of quick response team

The number of cars entering and having their documents verified within one hour has increased from 1,400 to 2,300.

Following its recent implementation, Director General of Immigration Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud has since reviewed the progress of the quick response teams (QRT) at Malaysia's key border checkpoints.

According to Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia KLIA, the deployment of the QRT which was activated on 6 February 2023, has successfully helped to reduce national border congestion, especially during peak periods, which receive between two and three times the number of visitors than usual.

For the time being, a total of 71 QRT members and officers have been stationed at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex of the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB), Iskandar Puteri — particularly, at the two entrances involving car and bus route counters.

Prior to the QRT, the number of cars that could be managed for entry and to have their documents verified within one hour was 1,400, shared Datuk Dzaimee.

"However, after the establishment of QRT, the number of cars that can be completed within one hour increased by 900 to 1,000, provided there is no problem in terms of the Road Transport Department's affairs or their Touch 'n Go balance is insufficient.

Thus, with the QRT, as many as 2,300 cars can be completed within one hour.

On the other hand, the bus passenger route previously took four to five hours to complete the entry or exit process involving 3,200 visitors, which is the maximum number at any one time. Upon implementing the QRT, it took roughly three hours to complete all 3,200 visitors. Visitors only had to wait between 12 to 15 minutes.

With the successful assignment of the QRT, the Immigration Department is now in the process of activating the QRT at the border gates of Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, and Sungai Tujuh, Sarawak, by the end of February 2023.

In the same vein, Datuk Dzaimee shared that the use of automatic gates for Singaporeans since 20 January also contributed to a smoother visitor entry process. From 20 January to 6 February 2023, 16,000 people have estimated to have used the gates. This is still lower than the target of 35,000, which is the number of Singaporeans who commute back and forth daily to Johor, per the report.

Lead image / Immigration Department of Malaysia Facebook