Asia's most loved country expands autogate facility to travelers from 53 more destinations

He said they comprised 26 European Union (EU) countries, 17 European countries outside the EU, six Arab countries, and four others namely Canada, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the autogates will help simplify the entry procedure without affecting security checks.

Currently, there are 1,568 units of automatic passport scanning machines at exit points into Malaysia, which was named the most loved country in Asia in a survey conducted by American finance website Insider Monkey in June.

The Home Ministry is considering a new and more efficient system using QR code scanning technology at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), thereby helping to speed up the screening process for visitors.

The use of this technology is expected to help Malaysia enhance security and reduce congestion at check-in counters, especially during peak hours, said Deputy Minister Shamsul Anuar.

He went on to say that the Malaysian Government is also studying the expansion of QR code scanning at many entry points, including other international airports, land border crossings and sea borders. This will help the country improve the efficiency of immigration management and reduce the risk of corruption at immigration counters.

Previously, on Nov. 18, Minister Nasution announced that next year, the government plans to use QR codes for immigration clearance at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Johor state to facilitate traveling for residents, tourists and workers to Singapore.