Malaysia is accelerating its border modernisation strategy with plans to deploy automated immigration gates and biometric verification systems nationwide by 2028, a move authorities say will strengthen standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enhance both security and processing efficiency at official entry points.
The initiative will be implemented across Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complexes (ICQS), by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).
Immigration Department Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said automation will play a central role in improving identity checks while ensuring immigration services can handle increasing traveller volumes more systematically.
“The installation of 635 automatic gates at 125 country entrances by 2028 will reduce dependence on manual inspections by Immigration officers because routine inspection matters will be handled through technological systems,” Zakaria told BERNAMA.
He added that automation will allow immigration personnel to focus on higher-value enforcement and investigative tasks rather than repetitive checks.
“The approach will allow human resources to be optimised for more challenging enforcement and investigation tasks,” he said.
Tech-driven identity verification
The upgrade includes the use of biometric authentication tools such as facial recognition and the automated biometric identification system to deliver faster and more reliable traveller verification.
Officials said the digital-first model is designed not only to speed up queues but also to reduce identity fraud and strengthen oversight at legal checkpoints.
To maintain operational continuity, traditional counters will remain available as backup in case of outages or technical issues.
“We ensured that the system used is highly resilient, including the ability to operate independently or in offline mode in the event of a network disruption,” Zakaria said.
Authorities believe tightening controls at gazetted entry points will indirectly curb illegal crossings elsewhere, particularly along border stretches in Kelantan, Perlis and Kedah, where syndicates have previously attempted to bypass checks.
“The focus is to ensure that the immigration screening system at the legal entry point is at the highest level of security and is not easily exploited by syndicates,” he added.
While AKPS oversees the physical management of border facilities, the Immigration Department will continue leading screening technology, enforcement and system operations.
Zakaria said the department’s broader digital transformation includes strengthening local and central server infrastructure to ensure reliability, transparency and system readiness.
