They comprise 26 European Union countries, 17 European countries outside the EU, six Arab countries, and four other countries namely Canada, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan.

In total, visitors from 60 countries are allowed to use the autogate facility for immigration clearance into Malaysia, he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) about the government’s measures to improve services and the number of automatic passport scanning machines to facilitate the entry of foreign tourists into the country.

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail previously said the facility would allow checks at entrances to be simplified and sped up without compromising security in addressing congestion.

According to Shamsul, there are currently 1,568 units of automatic passport scanning machines in operation.

Meanwhile, he said the home ministry is considering a new and more efficient system to ensure smooth immigration checks by introducing the use of QR codes at KLIA.

He said the system is expected to speed up the screening process at immigration counters as travellers only need to scan a QR code containing their personal information and travel details.

“The use of this technology is expected to help improve security and reduce congestion at the country’s entrance, especially during peak hours.

“The use of QR codes will be expanded at suitable entry points into the country, including other international airports and checkpoints at land and sea borders,” he added.

He said the use of the integrated system would not only improve the efficiency of immigration management but also reduce the risk of corruption and power abuse at immigration counters.

On Nov 18, Saifuddin was reported as saying that the government would expand the use of QR codes for immigration clearance at the Sultan Iskandar Building and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex in Johor for travel in and out of Singapore to all types of transport from next year.