KUALA LUMPUR – The Immigration Department’s decision to expand autogate facilities for travellers from 63 countries drew a slew of criticism on social media, with netizens complaining about longer waiting times and rude officers.
According to the department’s official Facebook page, the expansion of autogate facilities started on June 1, which is also open to diplomats serving in Malaysia and their family members.
However, this appears to be unpopular with some, with X user @DrTazli highlighting that waiting times were shorter when autogate facilities were limited to Malaysians.
He added that first-time users faced issues using the autogate facilities and there were no immigration officers onsite to assist, while those who were there were rude.
“When asked why Malaysians had to stand in line with the rest of the travellers, a rude officer told me to, ‘Go complain to the current government, it came up with the policy to open this up to other citizens’. What kind of government officer is this?”
Other social media users agreed with @DrTazli’s observations, with many sharing their experiences dealing with rude enforcement personnel at Malaysian borders.
User @pipiyangmerah suggested that Malaysians do not receive similar privileges overseas, saying she had to wait for an hour in line at a London airport.
“Other countries force foreigners to line up for hours. Like in London, you would have to wait for more than an hour and answer various questions.
“Now, Malaysia does not have a special lane for Malaysians. I can’t accept this.”
Meanwhile, user @leskwong also took the opportunity to share a photo of the waiting lines at a Malaysian checkpoint, highlighting the “chaotic” situation.
“I agree with you. This was the situation last week after I returned from overseas. The situation was chaotic. The manual counters were empty and (I) was told by officers to line up at the autogate.”
Another X user, @Me4Hire, suggested that authorities ensure there are sufficient officers manning counters at any given time.
She said Malaysian checkpoints usually have multiple counters, but only one or two personnel are on duty.
“There are many counters but only one or two personnel are on duty. Once I was rushing to catch a connecting flight and almost missed it.”
In May, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said travellers from more countries were allowed to use the autogate facility at all entry points in Malaysia, effective June 1.https://www.scoop.my/news/198293/36-more-countries-gain-autogate-facility-access-at-all-entry-points-into-malaysia/
Among the countries involved are those in the European Union, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, China, Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Last year, the Home Ministry extended the autogate facility to visitors from the US, UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
Saifuddin said this would ease the congestion at immigration entry points, as it will only take 10 to 15 seconds for clearance at the autogate. – June 15, 2024