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.