Streamlining cross-border travel, the initiative aims to reduce congestion and ease the commute for Malaysian workers traveling to Singapore.
JOHOR BAHRU: Starting June, Malaysian factory bus passengers commuting to Singapore will have the option of clearing immigration using QR codes at Johor’s land checkpoints. This pilot initiative, spearheaded by Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, follows Singapore’s successful rollout of a similar system in March, which garnered positive feedback from travelers.
Johor’s Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, confirmed that the pilot will apply specifically to Malaysians traveling on “bas kilangs” (factory buses). Passengers will still need to carry their passports as the QR code systems between Malaysia and Singapore currently operate independently.
How It Works
Under this scheme, immigration officers will board factory buses at checkpoints with handheld scanners to process QR codes generated via a mobile application. The initiative will be implemented at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar checkpoints, serving the Johor-Singapore Causeway and Tuas Second Link, respectively.
Factory buses, which transport approximately 500 Malaysian workers to Singapore daily, are expected to benefit from reduced congestion and quicker clearance.
Positive Feedback and Cautious Optimism
The move has been welcomed by commuters, who hope it will cut down travel time. Meshach Raven Kelvin Suraj, an aircraft engineer commuting to Singapore, expressed optimism about the new system:
“Currently, my journey takes around 90 minutes. With this QR code clearance, I expect it to reduce to about an hour. Not having to disembark from the bus will save time and energy.”
Another commuter, Xi Heng Ching, highlighted the potential for smoother cross-border travel:
“When Singapore implemented QR codes for drivers, we wondered when it would be our turn. We’re grateful Malaysia is now offering this for passengers.”
Concerns About Implementation
While commuters are optimistic, transport operators like Best Driver Transport & Travel are urging the government to provide clear directives to ensure smooth execution.
“We hope to receive instructions soon so we can guide our passengers on downloading the app and generating QR codes,” said Nurafiza Nordin, a company representative. “Improper implementation could worsen congestion rather than alleviate it.”
A Step Toward Seamless Borders
This initiative aligns with broader plans for enhanced cross-border travel under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) framework. The SEZ aims to facilitate economic cooperation, with passport-free clearance being a long-term goal.
Immigration experts have likened this initiative to systems in the Schengen Area in Europe and the UAE’s facial recognition technology, showcasing Malaysia’s efforts to modernize its border controls.
If successfully implemented, this pilot could mark a significant step in streamlining one of the world’s busiest land crossings, benefiting commuters and bolstering economic ties between Malaysia and Singapore.
