Saifuddin said this facility is currently restricted to visitors from 10 countries. The addition of the 36 nations means that travellers from a total of 46 countries will be able to use the autogates rather than having to go through the immigration counters.

“I am confident that this initiative will expedite immigration checks at the nation’s main entry points,” he said at a press conference here today.

From January to April, over 40 million travellers entered Malaysia with 30.5 million entering through KLIA Terminals 1 and 2 as well as the Johor-Singapore Causeway and Second Link.

Saifuddin said the facility will now extend to travellers from China, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Hong Kong, Taiwan and any country that is part of the European Union.

It will also extend to all staff of diplomatic missions in Malaysia and their family members.

The minister said the government also plans to add 40 more autogates at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2, bringing the total to 94.