SEPANG, May 5 — The National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe) at the country’s entry points this September is expected to cut passenger inspection times to between four and five seconds, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today.

The new system, estimated to cost some RM1 billion, replaces the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs) after 20 years. 

Saifuddin Nasution had touted the MyNIISe as the catalyst to strengthening border control.

“This system is a ‘game changer’; we no longer want to face congested airports during either departures or arrivals,” he told reporters after a routine inspection of KLIA 1’s operations here. 

Under the MyNIISe, clearance can be done via facial recognition, QR codes, and passports.

The predating system required the passports to be scanned before biometric verification through thumb and facial scans. 

More border guards 

Meanwhile Saifuddin Nasution said his ministry plans to expand the recruitment of Malaysia Border Guards (MBG) from among military veterans next year, although this hinges on the performance of the newly absorbed first cohort.

He expressed confidence that MBG personnel integrated into the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) could be valuable to the agency.

The ministry is currently in the process of filling the quota of 200 MBG members allocated to AKPS for this year, Saifuddin Nasution revealed. 

“Under this year’s budget, AKPS is authorised to recruit up to 200 MBG members,” he said. 

“They have already completed the first phase with 50 personnel, who will be stationed at entry points including KLIA and Port Klang.”

SEPANG, May 5 — Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) presidential council will hold a meeting this evening before speaking to leaders of Barisan Nasional later today as the alliance between the two coalitions face a critical test in Negeri Sembilan.

PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will chair the meeting in Putrajaya, as well as PKR’s political bureau meeting beforehand.

The series of meetings will be held amid rumours that Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun could call for a snap election.

“Once these meetings are done PH and BN leaders will sit down to talk later this evening,” Saifuddin said briefly after inspecting operations at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 here.

Earlier today, Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi gave his assurance that the party’s Negeri Sembilan assemblymen will remain in the state’s governing unity coalition.

Zahid’s statement appeared to be a directive to the state’s liaison body that it would not withdraw from Aminuddin’s government.

Zahid was reported saying that the decision is final.

“We have no intention of becoming the opposition. Umno at the national level has decided that all 14 assemblymen will remain part of the unity government,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Saifuddin had described today’s meeting with BN as “routine” but did not outright discount the possibility that tension in Negeri Sembilan could be among the agenda as the two coalitions meet.

“Today’s meeting may have drawn more attention given what’s happening...but we will touch on various matters, though not in the context of a crisis. This is a routine meeting,” he said.  

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on all parties to respect the royal decree that the current Negeri Sembilan’s Pakatan Harapan led state government would remain in power.

The comment comes as the state’s Umno chapter insisted it would stay as the opposition, a move that could potentially derail efforts to see an amicable solution as the state faces its worst political crisis.

“What Umno leaders said was unclear so I don’t want to comment on it,” he said in a brief press conference here.

“I only want to say if this involves the Royal Institution I listen directly to what the Negeri Sembilan’s Yang Dipertuan decrees…which is that the situation remains stable, the menteri besar remains and see what happens next,” Anwar added.

“Is this true that (the sitting MB) have lost all confidence, that will be done according to process but so far if you claim to be a party that upholds the Royal Institution, then uphold it.”

MORE TO COME

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Austerity measures that could see billions of ringgit slashed from several ministries will not affect core programmes, including critical healthcare services and the recruitment of new doctors.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim clarified the matter this morning amid concerns that spending cuts, driven by ballooning subsidy bills, could hurt crucial public programmes.

“There was some confusion about the review of certain expenditures,” Anwar told reporters after speaking at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability’s monthly assembly here.

“It won’t affect healthcare services or the hiring of new doctors and nurses. Even the construction of new clinics will continue.”

Critical education spending will also be kept, Anwar explained. He said while there will be some cuts, the plan to build new classes for the incoming Year 1 students will continue.

“Yes education spending will have some reduction but building of new classes for Year 1 won’t stall. Some people reacted prematurely when the news came out but no (they are mistaken),” he said.

“We are talking about big spending, such as sending students for courses abroad, if they can do it here just do it locally,” Anwar added.

“Then celebrations and all that, we will stop it. Also the scope of construction — any excess will be reduced.”

The prime minister’s clarification came following weeks of public anxiety over the national budget, after news reports surfaced that the Treasury would make cuts of up to RM10 billion as part of broader push to save cost.

The government had indicated that it would take swift measures to tackle the global crude oil price surge, which has exceeded US$115 per barrel as the Middle East conflict plunged the world into one of the worst energy supply crises.

Anwar said his administration would commit to keeping RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre, but this had shot the fuel subsidy bill for April 2026 up to an estimated RM7 billion from just RM700 million previous month.

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged civil servants to play their role in explaining the fiscal strain facing the government amid a global energy shock triggered by conflict in the Middle East.

He said the government could be paying up to RM5 billion a month for petrol subsidies alone based on current oil prices, as he reiterated previous assurances that RON95 petrol and diesel prices would remain low despite the ballooning subsidy bill.

Despite attempts to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices, Anwar conceded that the prices of some basic goods had increased.

“Do we have a problem with living cost? Yes, I am not denying it,” he said at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability’s monthly assembly here.

“Must we manage this wisely? Yes. Can we afford to provide full assistance? I would say partially yes, because we cannot give total help because as you can see, even Budi95 has reached (RM5 billion) a month,” Anwar added.

“So as for Budi95, we will try our best to keep it because the number of those using it is too big.”

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill for April 2026 is estimated at approximately RM7 billion, raising concerns over pressure on public finances as critics call on the government to rethink petrol assistance that also benefits top income earners.

Malaysia has one of the cheapest RON95 retail fuel prices in the world, at just RM1.99 per litre.

The Anwar administration has said petrol and gas supplies remain secure at least until June, but officials have hinted at the possibility of inflationary pressures creeping up as supplies of oil derivatives such as fertilisers remain disrupted by the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and export curbs elsewhere.

Malaysia imports phosphate used to fertilise food produce such as tomatoes and cucumbers, but exports urea.

Anwar’s Cabinet is expected to discuss cost-of-living issues at its meeting this Wednesday.

“Last Friday, I dined at a stall in Rawang. I asked the lady running the shop how business was, and she said it’s okay, business is good, but there’s a slight problem — every week there is a small price increase (for supplies),” Anwar said at the assembly.

“So, if it’s a little bit more for three weeks in a row, it starts to affect the shop. From what I heard, it certainly impacts small businesses. Therefore, I will bring this matter up during the Cabinet meeting this Wednesday.”