Loke said the system will significantly reduce immigration processing times, enhancing shore excursion experiences for tourists arriving on  cruise ships.

Loke, who co-chaired a Malaysia Cruise Council meeting with tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing here today, told reporters the QR code system will ensure that “everyone can enter our country swiftly”.

However, he did not provide a date for the implementation of the system.

Last Thursday, the home ministry said a pilot project using QR codes instead of passports for immigration clearance at the Malaysia-Singapore border was found to have significantly reduced waiting times at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Johor.

The ministry said the two-month proof of concept shortened waiting times for the inspection of 30 bus passengers during peak hours from 120 minutes to 15 minutes at BSI and from 90 minutes to 15 minutes at KSAB.

In December, Johor proposed that the federal government introduce a QR code system at the customs, immigration, and quarantine complexes in the state, similar to the system already implemented in Singapore.

1.5 million cruise ship tourists in 2023

Loke said Malaysia saw 1,055 cruise ships bringing in 1.5 million tourists last year,  an 85% increase in cruise ship arrivals compared to 2019.

“This represents a significant increase compared to the years before Covid-19, highlighting the considerable potential of the cruise industry in our country,” he said.

He said this growth trajectory is expected to continue with the development of additional infrastructure at the Port Klang cruise terminal, Swettenham pier cruise terminal in Penang and the Kota Kinabalu cruise terminal.

He also said a technical committee, led by the transport ministry and the tourism, arts and culture ministry, will be formed to facilitate industry growth.