Each year, dozens of Malaysian and foreign motorcyclists are jailed or fined for entering or leaving the country without stopping to present their passports at the 150 Immigration counters at the Johor Causeway and Second Link.

For years, many have claimed ignorance, blamed the counters for being closed or having no Immigration officials present to verify their passports, as there are no gantries to stop the motorcyclists from zooming past the counters, especially during rush hour.

For the first nine months this year alone, some 104 local and foreign motorcyclists have been detained for such offences at both the checkpoints.

Offenders face fines of between RM1,500 and RM1,800, in default two or three months’ jail.

Some 40,000 Malaysian motorcyclists travel to Singapore daily, mainly for work.

The Immigration Department plans to overcome this problem with a new automated border control system known as MBIKE, to be launched in December.

It is similar to the autogates placed at all entry and exit points in Malaysia.

This system, which uses a radio frequency identification device (RFID) sticker attached to the holder’s passport, requires the holder to place their thumb on the reader before the gantry gate opens.

The advanced system will also be able to detect if there is only one person or a pillion rider as well on a motorcycle.

If there are two people on the motorcycle, both will be required to scan their thumbs.

Johor Immigration director Datuk Rohaizi Bahari said this system will be the first of its kind at any CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quaran­tine) in Malaysia for motorcycle clearance.

“This system will not just enhance security at both checkpoints but also ease clearance at the Johor Causeway and Second Link,” he said.

Registration, which is free of charge, is now open.

“So far, response at the Johor CIQ has been overwhelming, with 4,500 people having registered for it since Sept 30,” he told The Star.

Requirements for the application include holding a passport that is valid for more than six months, being free from any blacklist and being at least 18 years old.

Singapore has automated its clearance for motorcycles since 2008.

At present, there are 100 motorcycle lanes in and out at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar CIQ here and 50 lanes at the Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar at the Second Link.

The system, said Rohaizi, will also help free their personnel to focus on other areas because much manpower is needed to man at least 60% to 75% of the counters to clear the motorcycles daily.

Manual booths at both CIQs will continue for motorcyclists who do not have MBIKE and foreigners, he added.

To apply for MBIKE, just go to the one-stop registration centre at the Johor CIQ or contact its hotline at 07-218 2400, or visit www.mbike.my.

Another one-stop centre at the Second Link will open by this month.

Both centres will operate round the clock.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by NELSON BENJAMIN

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]