JOHOR BARU: Malaysian motorcyclists and their pillion riders arriving in and departing from Singapore via the two land checkpoints have been using QR codes in lieu of passports for quicker and more convenient immigration clearance since mid-August.

While some motorcyclists feel that the waiting time is almost the same compared to the days when they had to show their passports, those travelling with a pillion said it is faster as they only need to scan one QR code.

A Malaysian motorcyclist known only as Chan said the QR code system allows two person’s details to be registered on one cellphone, with the clearance enabled with a single scan.

“In the past, if two people were travelling (on the motorcycle), we would have to scan two passports, so this is definitely faster,” he said.

Another user who wants to be known only as Ismail said solo riders are still benefiting, albeit with a marginally shorter time, since the passport was replaced with the QR code.

“After the gantry opens, we still need to scan our thumbprint and insert our Autopass card (a stored-value card for all foreign-registered vehicles to pay all fees and tolls in Singapore) into the reader,” he said.

He hopes that Singapore will also implement facial recognition for motorcyclists similar to what Malaysia is trying out at its Bangunan Sultan Iskandar checkpoint here.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the implementation of the QR code was part of its initiative to provide travellers with a passport-less immigration clearance experience under the New Clearance Concept.

“The motorcyclist and pillion rider can simply present one group QR code for immigration clearance instead of scanning two passports, reducing the time taken for immigration clearance,” it said in a statement.

ICA also said it has enhanced its Biometric Identification of Motorbikers (BIKES) System to improve clearance efficiency for motorcyclists.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/09/new-qrcodesystem-saves-time