In a Facebook post, the department said the congestion was partly caused by some foreign travellers who did not fill up the “Travellers’ Form” in the MySejahtera mobile application beforehand.

It said these travellers had to be assisted by immigration officers, which caused delays and congestion at the arrival hall.

The department added that these travellers comprised a group of haj pilgrims from Indonesia who were in transit, and that they were not managed by the party that coordinated the transit flight.

“The immigration department denies that only three counters were open on that day. Some 26 counters were operating and all automated counters were fully operational.

“We are pleased to inform that the congestion has been addressed thanks to the cooperation of all parties at KLIA, including the health ministry, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and airlines.”

There had been complaints of congestion in KLIA’s arrival hall recently, with some passengers claiming that only three immigration counters were opened, causing long queues.