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.”

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — The National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe) will be fully implemented this September, alongside enhanced MyKad security features to be introduced in June, as part of efforts to strengthen the national identity system and improve service delivery to the public, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said the move would mark a significant milestone for the ministry in streamlining national identity management and ensuring smoother and more orderly movement of people.

He added that the new documents would involve identity cards and passports equipped with the latest security features, in line with current needs and increasingly complex security challenges.

“I believe the National Registration Department and the Immigration Department are already prepared with their Plan A and Plan B. I am confident we will successfully navigate this historic moment, as the time has come to issue new documents with enhanced security features - something we have been working towards for a long time,” he said at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

He said significant progress has also been made, with the system already providing all the prerequisites or enablers ahead of its launch this September, enabling the submission of citizenship application information as approved under amendments to the Federal Constitution.

The media previously reported that the Home Ministry is undertaking system upgrades and data migration for MyNIISe to strengthen data security and improve system efficiency, ensuring more stable, efficient and user-friendly immigration services.

Saifuddin Nasution, in January, said that Malaysia would introduce new-look passports and MyKad within six months as part of efforts to enhance the security of national identification documents.

He said the implementation of the initiative reflects the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a more efficient system capable of addressing issues and public complaints related to identity management.

“I am proud to have a team that is highly disciplined and well-organised in its planning, and we are now nearing the point where all the reforms and changes we have undertaken are coming to fruition and can be felt by the people,” he said.

At the same time, he emphasised the importance of border security and the efficiency of the immigration system in managing entry and exit movements.

He said the government would not compromise in ensuring that the immigration system and national security remain at the highest level, in line with increasing cross-border movements and global security threats.

“For me, this is an important KPI (key performance indicator) for the Home ministry this year. Our national borders must not be breached by syndicates that operate outside the law,” he said. — Bernama