Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia and Singapore are expected to launch a new digital immigration system, along with additional border lanes, by January 2027 to ease chronic congestion at border crossings between the Malaysian state of Johor and Singapore. The initiative is expected to improve efficiency at one of the world's busiest international border crossings.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative will be launched jointly with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, once all technical preparations and infrastructure have been completed. The new system will feature more advanced movement procedures to facilitate travel between Singapore and Johor.
He said traffic flow and border operations have improved significantly over the past three years, but the Malaysian Government remains committed to further upgrading the system to accommodate the growing number of travellers.
According to a report by the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs, modernisation efforts have yielded promising initial results, with nearly 20 million QR code scans recorded at the two main checkpoints, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar, since the system was introduced.
Besides technological modernisation, Anwar said improving border operations is only part of the broader solution. The Malaysian Government is also focusing on creating stronger domestic economic opportunities by promoting investments in artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and other advanced technologies. The strategy aims to create more high-paying jobs so that Malaysians no longer have to endure long queues each day to commute to Singapore for work.
In addition, the government is promoting affordable housing projects to ensure that local residents, especially young people in Johor, can afford to own homes amid the region's rapidly developing economy./.
